Israeli and Hamas officials are scheduled to engage in indirect discussions on a U.S. peace plan for Gaza at a resort in Egypt on Monday. The talks, taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh, aim to address the initial stages of a ceasefire, including a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention.
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, are also expected to participate in these discussions, according to Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram. This renewed drive for peace follows Hamas’s acceptance of certain elements of the U.S. proposal, a development that was positively received by Trump. Israel has expressed its support for this latest initiative.
The U.S. peace plan stipulates that Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to be alive, within three days. Additionally, the plan outlines that Hamas would relinquish its power and disarm. The context for these negotiations stems from the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals and the deaths of around 1,200, predominantly civilians.
As the discussions unfold, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from the ongoing conflict has reached 67,160 as of Monday. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, does not specify the number of civilians versus combatants among the casualties but notes that women and children account for approximately half of the deceased. Many independent experts and the United Nations consider the ministry’s figures to be a reliable estimate of wartime casualties.
Demonstrations in Support of Gaza
In a related development, hundreds of women in Istanbul formed a human chain to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinian women and children affected by the conflict in Gaza. The gathering, organized by the ruling party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, coincided with the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks. Similar protests occurred in other Turkish cities, with participants displaying Palestinian flags and wearing traditional kaffiyeh scarves.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that 19 individuals, including two aid-seekers, were killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths since the conflict escalated to 67,160. Approximately 170,000 individuals have sustained injuries during this period.
Regional and International Reactions
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi praised the U.S. efforts to halt the violence in Gaza during a televised address commemorating the anniversary of the October 6, 1973, war with Israel. He emphasized the importance of a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and the reconstruction of Gaza as essential steps toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
El-Sisi highlighted the significance of preserving the U.S.-crafted “peace system” in the Middle East, which he described as a strategic framework for regional stability since the 1970s. His comments come at a time when the international community is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Gaza.
As the conflict continues, many families in Gaza express a deep yearning for peace. Individuals like Rola Saqer, who gave birth to her daughter Masa on the day the war began, reflect on the hardships faced during these two years. Living in a sparsely furnished tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Saqer and her husband, Mohammed Zaqout, worry about their child’s health and well-being, highlighting the profound human impact of this ongoing crisis.
The path to peace remains fraught with challenges, but the discussions in Egypt may bring a glimmer of hope for those seeking an end to the violence and a chance for a brighter future.
