Hamas negotiators have sought concrete guarantees that Israel will end its war on Gaza and withdraw all forces from the besieged territory, as the second day of indirect talks wrapped up in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The discussions, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye, form part of a 20-point proposal put forward by United States President Donald Trump, who said from the White House that there was a “real chance” of a Gaza deal on the second anniversary of the conflict.
Senior Qatari and U.S. officials are expected to join the next round of talks on Wednesday, raising hopes for what appears to be the most serious effort yet toward a lasting ceasefire.
Hamas ties captive release to withdrawal
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group plans to release Israeli captives in stages, each phase tied to a corresponding withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
“The release of the last Israeli hostage must coincide with the final withdrawal of the occupation army,” the official said, noting that Tuesday’s talks centered on scheduling and mapping Israeli troop movements.
Hamas’s top negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, reiterated the group’s mistrust of Israel, telling Egypt’s Al Qahera News that Hamas “does not trust the occupation, not even for a second.” He said the group was demanding “real guarantees” that Israel would not restart military operations after a ceasefire, accusing Tel Aviv of violating two previous truces.
Israel’s position unchanged
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking two years since the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, called the ongoing conflict “a war for our very existence and future.”
In a statement, Netanyahu vowed to continue military operations until Israel’s objectives were achieved: the return of all hostages, the elimination of Hamas’s rule, and ensuring that Gaza would “no longer pose a threat to Israel.”
Trump’s plan, however, offers no clear timeline for Israel’s withdrawal, outlining a phased process contingent on the full release of the 48 captives still believed to be held in Gaza—20 of whom are thought to be alive.
Mediators stay ‘flexible’
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said mediators were maintaining a flexible approach, adjusting proposals as talks evolved.
“We don’t go with preconceived notions to the negotiations,” he told Al Jazeera. “We develop these formulations during the talks themselves, which is happening right now.”
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is due to arrive in Egypt on Wednesday, joining U.S. representatives including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for the third day of talks.
Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said the group’s delegation had emphasized the “complete withdrawal of the occupation army” and the “immediate start of the comprehensive reconstruction process under the supervision of a Palestinian national body.”
He added that Hamas does not intend to take part in the post-war governance of Gaza once the conflict ends.
Fighting continues despite talks
Despite diplomatic progress, Israel continued airstrikes and drone attacks across Gaza on Tuesday, targeting residential areas in Sabra, Tal al-Hawa, and the road leading to Shati Camp, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.
At least 10 Palestinians were killed in the latest strikes, bringing the overall death toll to more than 66,600 since the conflict began. Wafa reported that 104 people have been killed since Friday, the day Trump publicly urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign.
