Two years after Hamas launched its deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, negotiations are underway in Egypt to implement a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
According to officials, the talks in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh are expected to last several days and focus on what negotiators describe as the “first stage” of Trump’s Gaza peace proposal. The discussions aim to secure the release of remaining hostages in Gaza, as well as Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, and to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave.
Hamas and other militant groups continue to hold 48 hostages, with only 20 believed to be alive. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the October 2023 attacks, has since killed over 67,000 people—mostly women and children—and pushed much of the enclave to the brink of famine. An independent UN inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide, an allegation the Israeli government has strongly denied.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty said efforts are ongoing to “facilitate conditions” for the release of captives and the redeployment of Israeli forces to allow implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire plan. He noted that discussions on “other phases” of the proposal were also underway but did not provide further details.
A senior Hamas source told CNN that the group’s delegation in Egypt includes three members who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Doha last month. The source added that “real negotiations” began in earnest on Monday, after an initial round of talks yielded little progress.
Trump, commenting on social media, claimed the talks were “very successful” and “proceeding rapidly.” He said he expected the first phase of the plan to be completed within the week, urging both sides to “move fast.”
Meanwhile, world leaders marked the anniversary of the October 7 attacks with renewed calls for peace and the release of hostages.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged for the release of the hostages in Gaza, more aid for those in the enclave and progress towards a lasting peace.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would “never forget the horror” of the Hamas attacks and called for an end to the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron described Hamas’ actions as “unspeakable horror” and stressed that “such an abomination must never happen again.”
Other leaders—including those of Spain, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, and Luxembourg—echoed similar sentiments, condemning terrorism, calling for the release of all hostages, and demanding a permanent ceasefire.
As the conflict enters its third year, the world watches closely to see whether the Egypt-hosted talks can finally bring an end to one of the most devastating wars in recent Middle Eastern history.
Melissa Enoch
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