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Initial round of Gaza talks between Hamas and intermediaries have ended in Egypt “amid a positive environment”, according to Egyptian government-affiliated news outlets in the morning on Tuesday.

Al-Qahera News, affiliated with state intelligence, stated the discussions will resume on Tuesday, additionally between Hamas and intermediaries in the resort town of the Egyptian city, where an Israeli delegation landed on Monday.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian faction are expected to engage in indirect talks on the specifics of a plan by American leader Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner swap and extended truce.

The US president’s 20-point proposal outlines an instant ceasefire, an swap of all captives held by Hamas for detainees from Palestine held by Israel, a staged pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza, the disarmament of the group and the introduction of a transitional government led by an global organization.

One of Hamas’s primary conditions since the outset of the war has been a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory in exchange for the freeing of the outstanding captives. And while the armed faction has indicated its willingness to relinquish administrative authority, it has consistently ruled out disarming.

During this first phase of talks, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working with both sides to prepare foundational terms for the release of the still held forty-eight captives from Israel held in the enclave in return for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and to determine the date of a short-term ceasefire.

These discussions of negotiations is expected to be difficult and complicated, and could last for several days, according to reports. Further additional information on the negotiations shortly.

These negotiations come as people in Israel across the nation prepare to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on Israel’s southern region, in which approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly non-combatants, were killed and two hundred fifty-one captured.

Uncertainty Remains Over Peace Agreement

While there are positive signs about this attempt to achieve an conclusion to the conflict in Israel, there remains doubt over if a deal can be reached and, importantly, maintained.

The Palestinian faction has in part accepted Trump’s twenty-point proposal, which Israel has accepted, but there are still major obstacles that need resolving, including the post-war administration of Gaza, the extent of withdrawal of Israeli forces and the group’s demilitarization.

Mediators have to agree which Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails. The Palestinian delegation is likely to ask for prominent leaders, such as the figurehead a well-known detainee, who are highly regarded in the West Bank and the coastal enclave.

Conservative members of the Israeli government have exerted influence to ensure such popular figures remain behind bars, Israeli media has stated.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right government official, threatened to leave the administration if Hamas still existed after the freeing of hostages, adding another hurdle to already delicate negotiations.