Hamas Seeks Gaza War End in Talks Backed by Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan:

As indirect ceasefire negotiations continue in Egypt, Hamas officials have stated they are seeking firm guarantees that Israel will end its war on Gaza and withdraw its forces completely. These demands come amid discussions shaped by U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, seen as a possible turning point in the two-year-long conflict. Speaking from the White House on the war’s second anniversary, Trump said there was a “real chance” for a deal. The talks, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, have brought together senior mediators from the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye. Top U.S. envoy Jared Kushner and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani are expected to join negotiations on Wednesday, signaling a strong international push for peace. A coalition of Palestinian factions, including Hamas, released a joint statement emphasizing the right to resist and rejecting any agreement that would demand the disarmament of Palestinian fighters. Hamas maintains that no one has the right to surrender the weapons of the Palestinian people, directly opposing one of the key elements in Trump’s proposal. Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum reaffirmed that the group is focused on achieving a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. However, Trump’s plan remains vague on timelines, suggesting that Israeli withdrawal would only occur after all 48 Israeli hostages—20 of whom are believed to be alive—are released. A senior Hamas negotiator, speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, said the release of hostages would be staged alongside the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The last hostage, they say, would be released only when Israel fully exits Gaza. Hamas’s top negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, said the group seeks “real guarantees” that Israel won’t resume the war, citing violations of previous ceasefires. On the other side, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s war goals: retrieving hostages, eliminating Hamas, and ensuring Gaza poses no future threat. Despite the gaps, mediators say the talks are showing the most promise since the conflict began. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari emphasized the flexibility of the mediation process, saying negotiators are developing ideas on the ground rather than sticking to fixed positions. The Trump plan proposes a post-war Gaza governed by Palestinian technocrats, supervised by an international body dubbed the “Board of Peace”, to be overseen by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Hamas has agreed not to participate in future governance, instead calling for Gaza’s reconstruction to begin immediately under a Palestinian national committee. Meanwhile, the fighting hasn’t stopped. On Tuesday alone, Israeli strikes killed at least 10 Palestinians, as air raids hit Gaza City, Khan Younis, and other areas. According to Wafa and Gaza’s Health Ministry, the total death toll has now surpassed 66,600, with medical workers and civilians continuing to bear the brunt of the war. As negotiations continue, hope for peace rises, but so do concerns about whether any deal will hold on the ground, as bombs still fall over Gaza.

NEWS