Peace talks continue in Gaza

CAIRO / GAZA STRIP — Peace talks resumed as US-mediated negotiations brought Israeli and Hamas delegations together in Egypt on the second anniversary of the militant attacks that triggered Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Peace talks are centred on a US 20-point plan and, officials say, there is cautious optimism that a deal could be reached.

Table of Contents

• Negotiations restart in Egypt
• Hostage release is the immediate priority
• Major sticking points
• Violence continues even as talks proceed
• Two years on: before and after
• What happens next?
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Negotiations restart in Egypt

Negotiators from the United States met with representatives of Hamas and Israel in Cairo to discuss the US-proposed plan. The talks are tightly focused and short — only a few days have been set aside — with mediators pushing to secure early, tangible steps.

US officials have described progress as significant, and former US president Donald Trump publicly hailed “tremendous progress” on his 20-point plan. Despite upbeat remarks, diplomats warn that major details remain unresolved.

Hostage release is the immediate priority

The first phase of the talks concentrates on the release of the remaining 48 hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks. Negotiators say roughly 20 of those hostages are believed to be alive, and their release is being discussed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Securing the hostages’ return is seen as both a humanitarian imperative and a confidence-building step that could pave the way for broader agreements.

Major sticking points

While there is momentum on the hostage front, several core issues still need to be worked out before any comprehensive deal can be signed.

• Timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
• Long-term humanitarian aid access and the ability to deliver supplies across the Strip.
• Future governance and security arrangements in Gaza.
• Disarmament of Hamas and verification mechanisms.

US and regional mediators stress conditionality: if essential benchmarks are not met, parts of the proposal could be postponed or rejected. Diplomats said Hamas had been “agreeing to things that are very important,” while also noting substantial uncertainty remains.

Violence continues even as talks proceed

Even with delegations in Egypt, the situation on the ground in Gaza remains dangerous. Explosions were reported across the Gaza Strip during the negotiations, with at least 19 people killed in the 24 hours before talks resumed.

International concern is high: negotiators face the difficult task of halting hostilities while the parties discuss a complex, phased settlement.

Two years on: before and after

The talks coincided with the second anniversary of the attacks that ignited the conflict. Images from October 6, 2023, compared with the present day show the scale of destruction across Gaza — underscoring the urgency for a durable resolution and humanitarian relief.

For many civilians, the immediate need is an end to fighting and reliable, sustained aid — outcomes that negotiators say are central to any viable plan.

What happens next?

Delegations have only a short window to reach agreement, and any breakthrough will require careful sequencing: hostage releases first, followed by phased Israeli withdrawal, expanded aid corridors, and security arrangements for Gaza.

Diplomats and officials caution that the path to a comprehensive ceasefire and political settlement will be difficult, but they say there is at least some hope that a narrowly focused deal could be reached in the coming days.

Conclusion

Peace talks continue under intense international scrutiny. With hostages, humanitarian access, and future governance on the table, negotiators face complex and politically sensitive choices. Progress — if it holds — could mark a turning point after two years of conflict, but uncertainty and violence on the ground remain real obstacles.

Source: 7NEWS Australia video report summarised from footage and correspondent reporting.

FAQs

• Who is mediating the talks? The United States and Egyptian mediators are hosting and facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
• What is the immediate focus? The first phase is focused on the release of 48 hostages, with around 20 believed to be still alive.
• Where are talks taking place? Negotiations are being held in Egypt.
• When did the conflict begin? The current round of fighting began on 6 October 2023; the talks coincide with its second anniversary.
• Why is a deal uncertain? Key issues — withdrawal timetable, aid access, Gaza’s governance and security, and Hamas’s disarmament — remain unresolved and politically sensitive.

The information in this article has been adapted from mainstream news sources and video reports published on official channels. Watch the full video here Peace talks continue | 7NEWS