Israeli and Hamas officials are set to conduct indirect negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on a U.S.-proposed peace plan for Gaza. The discussions, scheduled for Monday, will focus on initiating a ceasefire, which includes the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. This information was confirmed by a statement from Hamas.
Prominent figures in the talks include U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump. Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram reported their expected participation, highlighting the significance of this diplomatic effort.
The renewed push for peace follows Hamas’s acceptance of certain elements of the U.S. plan, a move that has received positive feedback from Trump. According to the proposal, Hamas is to release the remaining 48 hostages, with approximately 20 believed to be alive, within three days. Additionally, the plan mandates the disarmament of Hamas and their relinquishment of power.
The backdrop of these negotiations is particularly tragic. On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants launched an attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. Many hostages have since been released through ceasefire agreements. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry reported a staggering death toll of 67,160 in the ongoing conflict, with women and children making up about half of those casualties. The ministry is under the governance of Hamas and is widely recognized by independent experts and the United Nations as a credible source for wartime casualty estimates.
Solidarity Protests Erupt in Turkey
In a show of solidarity, hundreds of women in Istanbul formed a human chain to honor Palestinian women and children who have lost their lives due to the conflict in Gaza. The demonstration, organized by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan‘s ruling party, took place on the eve of the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Similar protests occurred in Ankara and other Turkish cities, where participants waved Palestinian flags and donned traditional kaffiyeh scarves.
As the conflict escalates, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that 19 individuals, including two aid-seekers, were killed by Israeli airstrikes within the past 24 hours. This recent surge in violence has contributed to a cumulative toll of nearly 170,000 injuries since the onset of hostilities.
Egypt’s Diplomatic Role and Regional Reactions
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi expressed support for Trump’s diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the violence in Gaza. In a televised address commemorating the anniversary of the October 6, 1973, war with Israel, he stated, “A ceasefire, the return of hostages and detainees, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the start of a peaceful political process leading to the establishment and recognition of a Palestinian state mean that we are on the right path toward lasting peace and solid stability.”
El-Sisi underscored the significance of maintaining the U.S.-crafted peace framework that has been in place since the 1970s, asserting that it has served as a strategic basis for regional stability.
As the conflict continues, families in Gaza face dire conditions. Many parents, like Rola Saqer and her husband Mohammed Zaqout, who live in a makeshift tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp, express deep concern for their children’s health and wellbeing. They hope for a future where their children can celebrate birthdays without the backdrop of violence and suffering.
The unfolding situation in Gaza remains critical as international efforts push for a resolution that can bring peace and stability to the region.