Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the US are set to meet in Cairo on Monday to finalize a Gaza ceasefire deal, amid heightened tensions and violence in the region. The talks come as US President Donald Trump warned Hamas of “complete obliteration” if it remains in power.
According to reports, Israel has agreed to a temporary halt in certain bombings in Gaza, but a spokesperson for the Israeli government emphasized that there is currently no ceasefire in place. “There has been a temporary halt in certain bombings,” the spokesperson said, adding that the Israeli military can continue to act inside the enclave for defensive purposes.
Despite Trump’s call for Israel to halt its attacks, its forces continued to bombard Gaza killing dozens of Palestinians. Hamas has reportedly accepted many elements of the 20-point plan to end the war, which includes a phased ceasefire, release of hostages, and withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The US is playing a key role in mediating the ceasefire talks, with President Trump saying Israel has agreed to a withdrawal line in Gaza.
The key players, including the US, Israel, and Hamas, are working to finalize the deal, with international leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressing support for the plan. However, challenges persist, including disagreements over disarmament and the plan’s implementation.
The international community has rallied behind the plan, with world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hailing it as a “significant step” towards lasting peace. As global support is growing for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the talks will focus on establishing a ceasefire, exchanging hostages and prisoners, and outlining a post-conflict governance plan for Gaza.
Moreover, Hamas’s reluctance to disarm remains a significant point of contention, with Israel insisting that disarmament is crucial for any lasting peace agreement. According to Hamas’s spokesperson, Walid Kilani, disarmament is impossible without the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with a national army capable of defending its people.
This stance is at odds with Israel’s demand for Hamas to disarm as part of the peace plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, “either the easy way or the hard way.” The success of the plan hinges on both parties’ willingness to compromise and implement the agreed-upon terms, which includes a ceasefire, hostage exchange and phased Israeli withdrawal. Some suspect Netanyahu of sabotaging previous efforts to prolong the war for political purposes, and his government’s stability remains uncertain.
Meanwhile families of hostages and civilians in both Gaza and Israel have expressed cautious optimism, with some calling it a “glimmer of hope.”