Peace Talks Between Hamas and Israel Begin in Egypt, Guided by US Proposal
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Important negotiations started on Monday in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where representatives from Hamas and Israel met to discuss the implementation of a peace plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump concerning Gaza. The talks focus mainly on the details of releasing hostages held by Hamas and the adjustments in Israeli military positions in Gaza to make this process possible. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are involved, seeking assurances from the US that Israel will maintain the ceasefire after the hostages are freed, as outlined in the 20-point plan recently shared by Mr. Trump. Hamas insists on guarantees that the ceasefire will become permanent once a full agreement with Israel is reached. Among the hostages, 20 out of 48 are confirmed alive, and Hamas aims to release them all simultaneously. They have requested more time to recover the remains of others due to challenges caused by destroyed tunnels. Hamas also asks for the release of prominent Palestinian prisoners, including figures from both Hamas and Fatah, as part of the exchange. The group seeks a clear timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and changes to military deployment maps after a ceasefire. Discussions also touch on disarmament, with Hamas proposing to surrender only offensive weapons, keeping them safeguarded by Egypt, while broader disarmament would be part of Palestinian reconciliation efforts. The situation remains delicate, with warnings from Israel about resuming military action if talks fail. Hamas requests a halt to all Israeli military activities, including reconnaissance flights, during the hostage handover. US officials emphasize that these talks will reveal the seriousness of Hamas's intentions. The negotiations follow Hamas's recent agreement to release all hostages and accept key parts of the peace plan. May Allah grant wisdom and peace to all involved, ease the suffering of the people in Gaza, and bring about a just and lasting resolution to this conflict. Ameen.