Delegations from Israel and Hamas commenced indirect negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on March 15, 2023, aiming to halt the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The negotiations are part of a plan endorsed by Donald Trump that seeks to establish a ceasefire while addressing contentious issues, including Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas’s disarmament.
Both parties have tentatively agreed on the overarching principles of the plan, which includes a cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, and an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza. This represents the closest both sides have come to reaching an agreement since the conflict escalated. The plan has garnered support from various Arab and Western nations, with Trump urging for swift negotiations to finalise the details.
“I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST,” Trump stated in a recent social media post. Despite the optimism surrounding the negotiations, both Israel and Hamas are seeking clarifications on crucial aspects of the proposal, as previous attempts to broker peace have faltered over similar issues.
Recent reports indicate that Israeli military actions in Gaza have decreased, although they have not entirely ceased. Gaza health authorities reported that 19 individuals were killed by Israeli strikes within the past 24 hours, significantly lower than the daily tolls observed in recent weeks. The ongoing military campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians, displacing the majority of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents who now face dire conditions amid widespread destruction.
As the negotiations unfold in Sharm El-Sheikh, the talks coincide with the second anniversary of a devastating Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of 251 hostages. This day remains one of the deadliest in modern Israeli history.
Hamas is reportedly seeking assurances from Israel regarding its commitment to withdraw troops from Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages. The urgency for a ceasefire resonates deeply among Gaza residents, many of whom view the negotiations as their last hope for survival. “If there is a deal, then we survive. If there isn’t, it is like we have been sentenced to death,” said Gharam Mohammad, a 20-year-old displaced resident.
Within Israel, there is increasing pressure to end the conflict to facilitate the return of hostages. However, some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s cabinet oppose ceasing military actions. Although Trump advocates for a rapid resolution, sources familiar with the negotiations suggest that completing the current round of talks may take several days.
An official involved in ceasefire discussions noted that Trump’s timeline for the return of all hostages within 72 hours may be unrealistic, particularly regarding the recovery of deceased hostages whose remains need to be located amidst the conflict zones.
The Israeli delegation includes officials from intelligence agencies such as Mossad and Shin Bet, along with Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, and hostages coordinator Gal Hirsch. The chief negotiator for Israel, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, is expected to join the discussions later this week.
Leading the Hamas delegation is Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s exiled leader from Gaza, who narrowly survived an Israeli airstrike that killed his son last month in Doha, Qatar. Hamas representatives are anticipated to seek clarity regarding the swap of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities, alongside discussions about a military withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
One contentious issue likely to arise during negotiations is the Israeli demand, echoed in Trump’s proposal, that Hamas disarm. A source close to Hamas indicated that disarmament would only occur following the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In a related development, Israel recently deported numerous activists detained during a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg. The situation remains fluid as the parties engage in what many hope will be a transformative moment in the quest for peace in the region.
