Gaza Ceasefire Talks in Egypt Remain ‘Difficult and Complex,’ Say Palestinian Sources

The ongoing indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh remain “difficult and complex,” according to Palestinian sources on Tuesday, as the second day of ceasefire discussions got underway, Xinhua.

Sources close to Hamas, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the talks—mediated by Egypt and supported by the United States and Qatar—are currently centered on establishing the technical mechanisms required to launch the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.

Trump unveiled the plan on September 29, outlining a phased ceasefire framework that includes the release of Israeli hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and the eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Israel has reportedly accepted the proposal.

Under the plan, Hamas would release all hostages within 72 hours of both parties formally endorsing the agreement. In return, Israel would suspend its military operations in Gaza and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas announced on Friday that it was prepared to comply with the plan’s provisions on releasing Israeli hostages. President Trump welcomed the statement and urged Israel to immediately halt its bombardment of Gaza.

However, Palestinian sources said Hamas has yet to agree to several conditions demanded by Israel, particularly those related to its disarmament and Gaza’s future governance. Technical teams are reportedly reviewing Israeli-submitted maps detailing withdrawal zones and lists of prisoners slated for release.

At the same time, Hamas has presented proposals on the handover of hostages and the remains of deceased captives but cited logistical and security challenges due to the continued Israeli military presence in several parts of Gaza.

Israeli media reported that U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, along with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, is expected to join the negotiations on Wednesday. Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer may also take part later to finalize potential agreements.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday that the talks are still in progress and “it is too early to speak of results.” He acknowledged that Trump’s plan “contains many complex details,” accusing Israel of prolonging the violence through continued airstrikes. “The main challenge now is implementation, not consensus,” he said.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump expressed optimism, saying, “Things are going very well. Hamas has agreed to very important things. We will reach an agreement in Gaza — I’m almost certain of that.”

Despite the diplomatic efforts, Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire continued in Gaza, though at a reduced rate since early Tuesday. Palestinian medical officials reported that hospitals in Gaza received 10 bodies overnight, including six from Gaza City, following renewed Israeli attacks.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israeli military bases and nearby settlements, killing around 1,200 people. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed over 67,000 Palestinians and injured more than 169,000, according to Gaza’s health authorities.