Live updates: Gaza ceasefire talks resume in Egypt
Negotiations between Hamas and mediators to secure a Gaza ceasefire resumed in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh after an initial round, with Egyptian state-backed media reporting a “positive atmosphere” as talks concluded and a second round was set to begin. The talks, conducted indirectly with the Hamas leadership and mediators, are part of broader efforts to establish a durable ceasefire, facilitate the release and exchange of hostages, and map out a long-term security and governance framework for Gaza.
What is on the table?
Central to the discussions is a proposal championed by the United States that envisions a 20-point plan. Key elements include an immediate ceasefire, a staged hostage-prisoner exchange, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The plan also contemplates the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a transitional government under international auspices.
Hamas has historically conditioned any ceasefire on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of remaining hostages. While the group has indicated willingness to relinquish administrative control, it has not signaled readiness to disarm, a position that adds complexity to the negotiations and raises questions about the feasibility of a long-term ceasefire without security guarantees from involved international actors.
The human cost and political timing
The talks come as Israel prepares to mark the second anniversary of the 7 October attacks that left roughly 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, predominantly civilians. For many Israelis, the anniversary reinforces public demand for security and retaliation while shaping domestic political calculations. For Palestinians, including those in Gaza living under blockade and recurring crises, the negotiations are a fragile beacon of potential relief but also a reminder of ongoing desperation and displacement.
Egypt and Qatar are serving as revolving mediators in this phase, with efforts centered on laying the groundwork for the release of 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and on determining the timing and scope of a temporary truce. The talks are expected to be protracted and technically complex, given the competing security, political, and humanitarian considerations involved for both sides.
Stuck points and potential breakthroughs
Analysts say the negotiations will likely hinge on three broad issues: the scope of the hostage-prisoner exchange, the mechanism and pace of any Israeli withdrawal, and the fate of Hamas’s governance role in Gaza. Even as mediators press for accountability and monitoring mechanisms, Hamas’s insistence on governing authority in Gaza at least temporarily contrasts with Israel’s demand for disarmament or international oversight to prevent future attacks.
Another sensitive element is the question of a transitional government. While international actors have signaled willingness to oversee governance, the exact structure, legitimacy, and authority of such a body remain unsettled. The discussions thus far indicate mediators are trying to craft a framework that can be accepted by both sides and by the Palestinian population, who have endured years of conflict, blockades, and humanitarian access challenges.
<h2 What happens next
Officials from Egypt, Qatar, and other international partners have stressed that the talks could take several days. As each side presents its red lines, the mediators will work to identify ground conditions that could allow for a phased but credible ceasefire, while also addressing humanitarian corridors, aid deliveries, and the protection of civilian life in Gaza. The outcome remains uncertain, and observers warn that a breakthrough is not guaranteed in the near term.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the evolving dynamics of Gaza ceasefire talks, including any shifts in positions from Hamas, Israel, or their international mediators, and the humanitarian implications for civilians on the ground.
