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Initial round of Middle East negotiations between Hamas and mediators have ended in the Arab Republic “amid a positive atmosphere”, as reported by Egypt’s state-linked media in the morning on the weekday.

Al-Qahera News, affiliated with government security, stated the talks will continue on the following day, also between the militant faction and intermediaries in the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, where an Israeli delegation arrived on the previous day.

Israel and the Palestinian faction are anticipated to engage in indirect talks on the specifics of a plan by American leader Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner swap and extended truce.

The US president’s twenty-point proposal specifies an immediate halt in hostilities, an exchange of all captives held by Hamas for detainees from Palestine held by the Israeli state, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the demilitarization of the group and the establishment of a interim administration led by an international body.

Among the faction’s primary demands since the beginning of the conflict has been a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory in return for the release of the outstanding captives. And while the armed faction has signaled its willingness to give up administrative authority, it has repeatedly rejected disarming.

In this initial stage of talks, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working with both sides to establish foundational terms for the release of the remaining forty-eight captives from Israel held in Gaza in exchange for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and to determine the timeline of a short-term ceasefire.

This round of talks is anticipated to be difficult and complicated, and could continue for several days, as per sources. We will have additional information on the negotiations shortly.

The talks come as Israelis across the country get ready to commemorate the second commemoration of the October 7th Hamas-initiated attacks on southern Israel, in which approximately twelve hundred people, mostly civilians, were slain and 251 taken hostage.

Doubt Persists Over Ceasefire Deal

While there are optimistic indicators about this effort to achieve an conclusion to Israel’s war, there remains uncertainty over whether or not a deal can be secured and, importantly, sustained.

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

Mediators have to agree which detainees from Palestine will be freed from prisons in Israel. The representatives from Palestine is likely to request prominent leaders, such as the figurehead a well-known detainee, who are highly regarded in the West Bank and the coastal enclave.

Rightwing members of Netanyahu’s coalition have exerted influence to make sure such popular figures remain behind bars, Israeli media has stated.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-conservative government official, warned to leave the administration if Hamas still remained after the release of hostages, adding another complication to already fragile peace talks.