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Initial phase of Middle East talks between the Palestinian group and mediators have concluded in the Arab Republic “amid a constructive environment”, as reported by Egyptian government-affiliated media early on the weekday.

An Egyptian news source, which is linked to government security, stated the discussions will continue on Tuesday, additionally between Hamas and mediators in the resort town of the Egyptian city, where an representatives from Israel arrived on the previous day.

The Israeli government and Hamas are expected to engage in mediated discussions on the specifics of a proposal by US President Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner exchange and extended truce.

Trump’s twenty-point plan outlines an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all hostages held by the Palestinian faction for detainees from Palestine held by Israel, a phased Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the demilitarization of the group and the introduction of a interim administration led by an international body.

Among the faction’s primary demands since the outset of the war has been a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory in exchange for the freeing of the remaining hostages. And while the Palestinian militant group has signaled its willingness to give up governing control, it has repeatedly ruled out disarming.

During this first phase of talks, Middle Eastern mediators are working with the two parties to establish ground conditions for the liberation of the remaining 48 captives from Israel held in the enclave in return for one thousand seven hundred detainees from Palestine held in Israeli jails, and to decide the timeline of a temporary truce.

These discussions of negotiations is expected to be challenging and complex, and could last for several days, according to sources. Further more details on the discussions soon.

These negotiations occur as people in Israel across the country get ready to commemorate the two-year commemoration of the October 7th Hamas-initiated attacks on southern Israel, in which approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly non-combatants, were killed and 251 captured.

Doubt Persists Over Ceasefire Deal

While there are positive signs about this effort to bring about an end to the conflict in Israel, there remains doubt over whether or not a agreement can be reached and, importantly, sustained.

Hamas has partially accepted the US president’s twenty-point plan, which the Israeli government has accepted, but there are still significant obstacles that need addressing, including the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip, the degree of Israel’s military withdrawal and the group’s demilitarization.

Negotiators have to decide which Palestinian prisoners will be freed from prisons in Israel. The Palestinian delegation is expected to request political figures, such as the figurehead Marwan Barghouthi, who are widely popular in the Palestinian territory and Gaza.

Rightwing members of Netanyahu’s coalition have put pressure on to ensure such popular figures stay behind bars, Israeli media has stated.

A far-right minister, the far-right government official, threatened to quit the administration if the faction still remained after the release of captives, introducing another complication to already delicate peace talks.