On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for the Middle East, along with other high-ranking officials, participated in the third day of peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas at a resort in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This involvement signifies a focused effort to address the complex issues surrounding an American-led initiative aimed at concluding the ongoing war in Gaza.
Among those present were Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, who arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh for the critical discussions. Hamas is pushing for solid assurances from President Trump and the mediators that Israel will refrain from resuming its military operations in the Palestinian territories after the militant group has released all remaining hostages. Each party has expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a peace agreement, especially in light of the devastating toll the conflict has taken, with tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and significant destruction across the Gaza Strip.
Despite the hopeful atmosphere, several critical components of the proposed peace plan remain unresolved. These include the disarmament of Hamas, the timeline and scale of Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza, and the establishment of an international body to govern Gaza following Hamas' exit from power. The negotiations are intended to include a wide range of Palestinian factions, as demonstrated by the anticipated arrival of representatives from fringe militant groups, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, later in the day.
In preliminary talks earlier on Wednesday, mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. engaged with both sides to facilitate the discussions. A senior Hamas official, Taher Nounou, revealed that the group had submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners they wish to secure in exchange for the Israeli hostages still held by militants. The peace plan proposed by the Trump administration includes an immediate ceasefire and the release of 48 hostages taken during the surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the current conflict.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi remarked that the ongoing negotiations have been "very encouraging." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed cautious optimism regarding the talks, framing them as technical discussions over a plan already accepted by both parties. Meanwhile, Hamas has reiterated its demands for a lasting ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while remaining resistant to the notion of disarmament and international governance.
The history of negotiations between Israel and Hamas has often been marred by setbacks, particularly regarding the issue of hostages and military operations. The Trump plan seeks to address these challenges comprehensively, proposing disarmament for Hamas and a framework for the governance of Gaza post-conflict, which includes provisions for a major reconstruction initiative.
Experts, including those commissioned by the United Nations, have raised alarms about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, with increasing calls for accountability regarding the conflict. Reports indicate that over 67,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and nearly 170,000 have been injured since the onset of hostilities. The Gaza Health Ministry continues to provide updates, revealing the ongoing toll of the conflict on civilians, including a significant number of women and children.
As hostilities persist and the humanitarian situation deteriorates, many Palestinians are left in dire straits. Thousands have fled the violence, setting up makeshift shelters along the beaches of Gaza. Displaced individuals, like Um Sulaiman Abu Afash, lament the lack of basic necessities, stating, "There is no food, nor good water, and blockage of crossings." Others, such as Sara Rihan from Jabaliya, express their hopes for peace and the possibility of returning to their homes, despite the destruction.
The ongoing peace talks in Sharm el-Sheikh represent a crucial moment in the quest for stability in the region, as all parties strive to navigate a path towards lasting peace amidst a backdrop of conflict and humanitarian crisis.
