By Staff Reporter
Hamas officials say they are seeking firm guarantees that Israel will end its war on Gaza and withdraw all forces from the territory as part of United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The remarks came as the second day of indirect negotiations wrapped up in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh on Tuesday.
Speaking at the White House on the war’s second anniversary, Trump expressed optimism about the talks, saying there was a “real chance” of reaching a Gaza deal. Senior Qatari and US envoys are expected to join the negotiations in Egypt on Wednesday.
Earlier, a coalition of Palestinian factions, including Hamas, issued a statement vowing to maintain “resistance by all means” and rejecting any surrender of Palestinian weapons — a direct response to Trump’s proposal for the group’s disarmament.
Hamas negotiator Fawzi Barhoum stressed that the group wants an end to the war and the “complete withdrawal of the occupation army” from Gaza. However, Trump’s plan provides no clear timetable for the withdrawal, which would take place in stages after Hamas returns 48 Israeli captives — 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
A Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group intends to release captives in phases, tied to Israel’s troop pullout. Tuesday’s discussions reportedly focused on scheduling hostage releases and mapping the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Hamas insists that the release of the final hostage must coincide with the complete military withdrawal.
Top Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya told Egypt’s Al Qahera News that the group “does not trust the occupation, not even for a second,” and is seeking “real guarantees” to ensure the war is not resumed — accusing Israel of violating two previous ceasefires.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, marked the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack by calling the conflict “a war for our very existence and future.” He reiterated that Israel would not end its campaign until all hostages are returned, Hamas’s rule is dismantled, and Gaza is no longer a threat.
Despite sharp differences, negotiators say the talks offer the most promising signs yet of a breakthrough. Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye are mediating the talks, with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani joining other mediators — including Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — in Egypt on Wednesday.
Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said mediators are “staying flexible and developing ideas during the negotiations.”
Unresolved questions remain over who will govern and rebuild Gaza after the war. Trump’s plan proposes that Palestinian “technocrats” manage daily affairs under an international transitional body called the “Board of Peace,” overseen by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. Hamas has agreed not to participate in postwar governance but is demanding immediate reconstruction under Palestinian national oversight.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on Gaza continued even as talks proceeded. Drones and fighter jets struck Gaza City’s Sabra and Tal al-Hawa neighborhoods and the road to Shati camp. At least 10 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday, raising the death toll to more than 66,600 over the two-year conflict.
According to Wafa news agency, 104 people have been killed in Gaza since Friday — the day Trump called on Israel to halt its bombardment. Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reported continued strikes across the Strip, including the killing of a boy in eastern Gaza and several others in Khan Younis.
ACLED, a US-based conflict monitor, said Gaza has endured more than 11,110 air and drone strikes and at least 6,250 shelling and artillery attacks. The Gaza Health Ministry reports 1,701 medical personnel killed during the war, with Gaza’s casualties accounting for 14 percent of global conflict deaths over the past two years.
