Gaza peace talks enter second day on two-year anniversary of the beginning of war
CAIRO: Peace talks between Israel and Hamas were resuming at an Egyptian resort city on Tuesday, the two-year anniversary of the militant group’s surprise attack on Israel that After several hours of talks Monday, an Egyptian official with knowledge of the discussions said the parties agreed on most of the first-phase terms, which include the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meetings.
The plan has received widespread international backing and Trump told reporters on Monday that he thought there was a “really good chance” of a “lasting deal.”
“This is beyond Gaza,” he said.
“Gaza is a big deal, but this is really peace in the Middle EastMany uncertainties remain, however, including the demand that Hamas disarm and the future governance of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long said Hamas must surrender and disarm, but Hamas has not yet commented on whether it would be willing to.The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251.A growing number of experts, including those commissioned by a UN body, have said Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide — an accusation Israel vehemently denies.Ahead of the resumption of talks on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the hostilities, which have created “a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defied comprehension.”Mediators from Qatar and Egypt were facilitating the talks, meeting first on Monday with members of the delegation from Hamas, then later with those from Israel.
The talks went for four hours on Monday, according to Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.She did not comment on a specific deadline for concluding the talks, but said it is important “that we get this done quickly.”
Part of the plan is to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, where more than two million Palestinian are facing hunger and in some areas famine.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the organization was poised and ready to act. “The machinery is cranked up and ready to go as soon as we get the green light,” Dujarric said.
Israel’s delegation included Gal Hirsch, coordinator for the hostages and the missing from Netanyahu’s office, while Hamas representatives included Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s top negotiator.
“The recent proposal by US President Donald J Trump presents an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end,” Guterres said in a statement.
“A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace. International law must be respected,” he said.
The devastating war that has ensued has upended global politics, resulted in the deaths of 67,160 Palestinians — more than half them being women and children — nearly 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and has le
The plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza after Hamas disarms, and an international security force being put in place. The territory would then be placed under