On Tuesday, Hamas announced its readiness to conclude an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip based on President Donald Trump’s plan, but emphasized that a number of its demands remain unchanged. Meanwhile, the Qatari Prime Minister and senior US officials arrived in Egypt to participate in indirect talks between Hamas and Israel.
Hamas Announces Readiness for Gaza Agreement, but Maintains Key Conditions
On the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that began the current conflict, Trump expressed cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough. A US delegation headed to Egypt, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who oversaw Middle East diplomacy during Trump’s first term.
“I think we have a chance to achieve peace in the Middle East—not just in Gaza,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
A source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that the meeting was postponed for a day, but the atmosphere had “significantly improved” compared to previous rounds. According to him, Wednesday will be a crucial day—the presence of Qatari and American mediators will determine whether progress is possible.
Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, a key mediator, will attend the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh to promote a ceasefire plan and an agreement on the release of the hostages.
Talks in Egypt and the Position of Hamas
On the second day of talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Hamas spokesman Khalil al-Hayya told Al Qahera News that the delegation had arrived “to participate in serious and responsible negotiations.” He emphasized that the organization was ready for an agreement, but required guarantees that the war would end and assurances that “such a thing will not happen again.”
According to Gaza authorities, approximately 67,000 people have been killed since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. Israel reports 1,200 deaths in the Hamas attack and 251 hostages taken to Gaza.
Despite some progress, representatives of both sides are urging caution. Israel recalls the bloodiest day in modern history, while Gazans hope for an end to the suffering caused by the war.
Even if a ceasefire is reached, open questions remain: who will govern Gaza, who will undertake reconstruction, and who will pay for it. Both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ruled out Hamas’ participation in post-war governance of the Strip.
Hamas maintains its terms
A senior US official reported that Trump met with Witkoff and Kushner to discuss the progress of the negotiations before their flight to Egypt. The focus was on the safety of the hostages and guarantees for a cessation of hostilities.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum stated that the delegation is “working to remove obstacles” and seeking an agreement that “reflects the aspirations of the people of Gaza.”
He clarified that Hamas demands:
- a complete end to the war,
- the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza,
- the beginning of a large-scale reconstruction program under the supervision of a Palestinian technocratic authority.
Israel refuses to comply with these conditions, insisting on Hamas’s disarmament, which the movement rejects.
The Palestinian factions’ coalition issued a joint statement, emphasizing that “no one has the right to demand the surrender of the Palestinian people’s weapons” and that resistance will continue by all means necessary.
Israel and US Reactions
Prime Minister Netanyahu has so far refrained from making direct comments, but in a post on the X network, he stated that the country is experiencing “days of fateful decisions.”
“We will act until all the war’s objectives are achieved: the return of the hostages, the end of Hamas rule, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” he emphasized.
American officials stated that the main goal of the negotiations is to achieve a ceasefire and agree on a mechanism for exchanging hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Until an agreement is reached, the Israeli army continues its offensive in Gaza, increasing international pressure on Tel Aviv.
On the anniversary of the Hamas attack, protests against Israel’s actions took place in Sydney and several European capitals, despite criticism from politicians who warn that such actions could be perceived as justification for violence.
Civil hopes on both sides
In Israel, many residents revisited the sites of the October 7, 2023, tragedies.
Orit Baron stood at the memorial at the site of the Nova festival, where her daughter Yuval and her fiancé, Moshe Shuva, were killed.
“They were supposed to get married on Valentine’s Day… now they lie next to each other because they couldn’t be separated,” she said.
Indirect negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian representatives began in Egypt on Monday evening, seeking to reach an agreement on the ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump.
