Hamas, Israel Continue Indirect Talks in Egypt with Ceasefire and Aid on Table

International efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip intensified Tuesday as indirect negotiations between Israeli and Hamas delegations entered their second day in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. The talks coincide with the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel — a turning point that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

The Hamas delegation, participating in the talks, reiterated its call for a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Speaking at a press conference marking two years since the beginning of the conflict, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum emphasized the group’s intention to “overcome all obstacles” and reach an agreement that addresses the suffering and aspirations of Palestinians in Gaza.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, hosting the negotiations, voiced hope that the current round of talks would bring "significant progress" toward ending the war. In a joint press conference in Cairo with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, Abdelatty stressed the need for intensified international pressure to reach a sustainable solution. Both ministers expressed support for the two-state solution and welcomed the ceasefire proposal recently put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump, viewing it as a foundation for future peace efforts.

Abdelatty noted that the current negotiations aim to reach a deal on the first phase of the proposed agreement. This includes the release of Israeli hostages, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the redeployment of Israeli military forces, with the goal of creating conditions on the ground for further steps. He also stressed the importance of unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip through UN-supervised channels, adding that Egypt is working to prevent any forced displacement of Palestinians.

Qatar, a key mediator in the talks alongside Egypt, confirmed that discussions in Sharm El-Sheikh involved hours of detailed negotiations. In a briefing in Doha, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed al-Ansari noted that unresolved issues remain, including the handover of captives, the release of Palestinian detainees, and the delivery of life-saving aid to the enclave. He said that all parties remain engaged in finding common ground.

Al-Ansari emphasized that it is “too early” to speculate on the future role of Hamas, but stressed that “the future of Gaza must remain in the hands of the Palestinian people.” He added that Qatar, as a mediator, acknowledges that no proposal will satisfy all parties fully, but that there is unified commitment to ending the war. “We are all pushing to end this genocidal war,” he said, echoing concerns raised by humanitarian organizations.

The renewed diplomatic push comes as Gaza continues to endure a humanitarian catastrophe. In an update issued Tuesday, health authorities in Gaza reported that 67,173 Palestinians have been killed and 169,780 injured since the start of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023. The statement also revealed that 460 deaths have been caused by famine and malnutrition, including 154 children. Additionally, over 51,000 children under five years old are currently suffering from acute malnutrition as infrastructure collapses and access to food, water, and medicine remains severely restricted.