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First round of Gaza talks between the Palestinian group and intermediaries have concluded in Egypt “in a constructive environment”, as reported by Egypt’s government-affiliated news outlets early on Tuesday.

Al-Qahera News, affiliated with government security, reported the talks will continue on the following day, additionally between Hamas and mediators in the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, where an Israeli delegation arrived on the previous day.

Israel and Hamas are anticipated to engage in mediated discussions on the details of a plan by US President Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner exchange and extended truce.

Trump’s twenty-point proposal specifies an instant halt in hostilities, an swap of all captives held by the Palestinian faction for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the demilitarization of the group and the introduction of a interim administration led by an global organization.

Among Hamas’s main conditions since the outset of the war has been a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in return for the freeing of the outstanding captives. And while the Palestinian militant group has indicated its willingness to give up governing control, it has repeatedly rejected disarming.

During this initial stage of talks, Middle Eastern mediators are collaborating with both sides to prepare foundational terms for the liberation of the still held 48 Israeli hostages held in the enclave in return for one thousand seven hundred detainees from Palestine held in Israeli jails, and to decide the timeline of a short-term ceasefire.

These discussions of talks is expected to be difficult and complicated, and could last for several days, according to reports. Further more details on the discussions soon.

The talks come as people in Israel across the nation prepare to mark the two-year anniversary of the 7 October Hamas-initiated assaults on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people, primarily non-combatants, were slain and 251 captured.

Uncertainty Remains Over Ceasefire Deal

Although there are positive signs about this attempt to bring about an end to the conflict in Israel, there remains uncertainty over whether or not a deal can be secured and, importantly, maintained.

The Palestinian faction has in part accepted Trump’s twenty-point plan, which the Israeli government has accepted, but there are still significant obstacles that need addressing, including the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip, the degree of withdrawal of Israeli forces and the group’s demilitarization.

Negotiators have to agree which detainees from Palestine will be freed from prisons in Israel. The representatives from Palestine is expected to ask for political figures, such as the figurehead a well-known detainee, who are highly regarded in the West Bank and Gaza.

Rightwing members of Netanyahu’s coalition have put pressure on to ensure such influential individuals stay behind bars, Israeli media has reported.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-conservative government official, warned to leave the government if Hamas still remained after the release of hostages, introducing another hurdle to already delicate negotiations.