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Initial round of Gaza negotiations between Hamas and intermediaries have concluded in Egypt “amid a positive atmosphere”, according to Egyptian government-affiliated media early on the weekday.

An Egyptian news source, which is linked to state intelligence, reported the talks will continue on Tuesday, also between Hamas and mediators in the resort town of the Egyptian city, where an representatives from Israel landed on Monday.

The Israeli government and Hamas are anticipated to participate in indirect talks on the details of a proposal by US President Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner swap and extended truce.

The US president’s twenty-point proposal outlines an immediate halt in hostilities, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by the Israeli state, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of the group and the introduction of a transitional government led by an global organization.

One of the faction’s main conditions since the outset of the war has been a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory in return for the release of the outstanding hostages. And while the Palestinian militant group has indicated its willingness to give up governing control, it has repeatedly rejected disarming.

In this first phase of talks, Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries are collaborating with both sides to prepare ground conditions for the liberation of the remaining forty-eight captives from Israel held in the enclave in exchange for 1,700 detainees from Palestine held in Israeli jails, and to decide the date of a short-term ceasefire.

These discussions of talks is anticipated to be challenging and complex, and could continue for several days, as per reports. Further additional information on the discussions soon.

These negotiations come as people in Israel across the nation prepare to mark the second commemoration of the October 7th Hamas-initiated assaults on Israel’s southern region, in which approximately 1,200 people, primarily non-combatants, were killed and 251 taken hostage.

Doubt Remains Over Peace Agreement

Although there are positive signs about this effort to bring about an end to the conflict in Israel, there persists doubt over if a deal can be secured and, crucially, sustained.

The Palestinian faction has in part agreed to the US president’s 20 point plan, which Israel has agreed to, but there are still significant obstacles that need addressing, including the future governance of Gaza, the extent of Israel’s military withdrawal and Hamas’ disarmament.

Negotiators have to decide which Palestinian prisoners will be freed from prisons in Israel. The representatives from Palestine is likely to request prominent leaders, such as the Palestinian leader a well-known detainee, who are widely popular in the Palestinian territory and the coastal enclave.

Rightwing members of the Israeli government have exerted influence to ensure such popular figures stay behind bars, news outlets in Israel has reported.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-conservative government official, warned to quit the administration if the faction still remained after the release of hostages, adding another complication to already fragile negotiations.