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Talks in Egypt bring the closest push yet toward ending the two-year war, but unresolved disputes over Hamas’s disarmament and Israel’s pullback could still derail the deal
US President Donald Trump with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. (Image: AFP/File)
Delegations from the US, Israel, Hamas, and key regional players, including Qatar and Egypt, are meeting in Cairo this week to negotiate the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan. The meeting follows Hamas’s conditional acceptance of parts of the plan and Israel’s agreement to send negotiators under American pressure.
Trump has described the discussions as “very successful” and has repeatedly urged both sides to “move fast” or risk “massive bloodshed” in Gaza. He posted on Truth Social that the “first phase should be completed this week” and added that he would “continue to monitor this centuries-old conflict.”
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The negotiations mark the most serious diplomatic push in nearly two years to end the conflict that began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, which left 1,200 dead and over 250 hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel launched a prolonged military campaign that has killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
What Does Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Propose?
Trump’s proposal lays out a phased framework:
- Phase 1: Immediate ceasefire, release of 48 Israeli hostages (only around 20 are believed to be alive), and the start of Israeli troop pullback
- Phase 2: Transfer of Gaza’s civilian administration to a technocratic Palestinian body not affiliated with Hamas or Fatah
- Phase 3: Disarmament of Hamas, deployment of an international stabilisation force, and long-term reconstruction of Gaza
The plan also includes the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including over 250 serving life sentences, and a surge of humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave.
Leading the US effort are Trump’s close aides Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Israel has sent senior representatives, including Ron Dermer, while Hamas’ delegation is being led by Khalil al-Hayya, a senior political figure who survived an Israeli airstrike in Doha last month that killed his son and aides.
The US, Egypt, and Qatar are mediating the talks through indirect shuttle diplomacy, as Israeli and Hamas representatives are not meeting face-to-face.
What Has Hamas Agreed To, And What Are Its Red Lines?
In a move that surprised many observers, Hamas officially responded on Friday night by accepting key aspects of the plan. Specifically, it agreed to:
- Release all remaining hostages
- Permit Israel’s withdrawal
- Transfer day-to-day governance of Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic authority
However, the group made clear that disarmament, a central pillar of the plan, remains unacceptable at this stage. Hamas also stated that it does not agree to the international body proposed by the US to administer Gaza and insists that any decisions must be ratified collectively with other Palestinian factions.
Arab sources quoted by The Economist said al-Hayya and other Hamas leaders based outside Gaza are inclined to accept Trump’s plan despite “significant reservations,” but they lack control over the armed wing inside Gaza, which remains defiant.
Where Does Israel Stand And What Has Netanyahu Said?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly endorsed the Trump proposal, particularly the release of hostages and prisoner exchange, but has offered mixed signals on other key aspects. While Trump’s plan calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal, Netanyahu has said the IDF would remain in most of Gaza. “Hostages would be returned while the Israel Defense Forces would remain deep inside the strip,” he said on Saturday.
Netanyahu is under pressure from both the Trump administration and his own far-right coalition. If the IDF pulls out of Gaza without achieving full disarmament of Hamas, Netanyahu risks losing his coalition, which could force early elections.
Why Is Disarmament The Biggest Obstacle Right Now?
The core sticking point is disarmament sequencing.
- Israel insists it will not fully withdraw until Hamas lays down arms.
- Hamas refuses to disarm unless Israeli forces leave and guarantees are in place to prevent renewed attacks.
The proposed compromise is a partial Israeli pullback, with verbal or written guarantees from the US and Israel to halt operations if the disarmament process begins. Trump’s withdrawal map carves Gaza into phases but has sparked controversy. The BBC reported that it excludes almost 900,000 Palestinians from returning to their homes in Rafah, Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah. Hamas had rejected a similar map during previous talks in March and May.
Another complication is Israel’s internal process. Once a list of prisoners is finalised, Israel’s cabinet must vote on it, and a 24-hour Supreme Court window will allow families of victims to appeal, though past challenges have rarely succeeded.
How Are Domestic Politics In Israel And Gaza Shaping The Talks?
Both sides are negotiating under immense political pressure.
For Netanyahu, the stakes are political. According to The Economist, 72 per cent of Israelis support the Trump plan. However, if the IDF withdraws without Hamas’s full disarmament, his far-right coalition partners have threatened to leave, which could force early elections before October 2026.
Netanyahu has tried to frame the talks as a personal victory, telling Israelis on Saturday: “From victory to victory, we are changing the face of the Middle East.”
For Hamas, agreeing to the deal risks backlash from within. The group’s political leaders outside Gaza are willing to compromise, but its military wing views disarmament as an existential threat.
What Happens Next, And How Soon Could A Ceasefire Begin?
Talks in Cairo are expected to continue throughout the week. Trump has repeatedly urged both parties to “move fast”, warning that delays could lead to “massive bloodshed”.
Trump’s personal stake is high, as he hopes to secure a diplomatic win before the Nobel Peace Prize announcement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, said the process of bringing the Gaza conflict to a close would unfold in two phases. The first, he explained, involves the ongoing meetings and efforts to finalise the logistics of the hostage release — “work that is happening even as I speak to you this very moment.” The second, more complex phase, he added, will focus on deciding what happens inside Gaza once Israel withdraws to the agreed-upon lines.
If an agreement is reached this week, the likely immediate steps would be:
- Temporary pause in bombings
- Release of hostages and prisoners
- Partial Israeli withdrawal
- Entry of aid convoys and medical teams
- Further talks on disarmament and post-war governance
So, Will Trump’s Peace Plan Work?
The talks represent the most realistic chance of a breakthrough in two years. However, success depends on overcoming unresolved core issues, particularly Hamas’s weapons, Israel’s security demands, and mutual distrust.
Still, many agree that this moment presents a rare alignment of urgency, pressure, and opportunity.
About the Author
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More
October 06, 2025, 10:21 IST
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