Israel-Hamas Talks Resume in Egypt, Trump's Peace Plan on Table
Peace talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Egypt, with US President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war at the forefront. The plan, overseen by a 'peace council' led by Trump and Tony Blair, aims to disarm Hamas and establish a new Palestinian government. However, Hamas has not commented on Israel's demand for disarmament, and uncertainties remain regarding Gaza's future governance.
The talks, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, mark the two-year anniversary of the conflict's start. The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, with Hamas-led militants storming into Israel, resulting in around 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 people. Since then, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, with over half being women and children, and nearly 170,000 wounded.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the situation as a 'humanitarian catastrophe', with the UN and experts considering the Gaza Strip to be in ruins. Despite these grim realities, an Egyptian official reported that the parties agreed on most terms of the first phase, including hostage release and ceasefire. Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a 'lasting deal' for Middle East peace.
While the peace council aims to control the new Palestinian government and oversee Hamas' disarmament, challenges remain. Hamas has not commented on Israel's demand for disarmament, and the future of Gaza's governance is uncertain. The international community awaits further developments in this complex and sensitive situation.
