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Initial phase of Gaza negotiations between Hamas and intermediaries have ended in Egypt “in a positive atmosphere”, according to Egyptian government-affiliated news outlets early on Tuesday.

An Egyptian news source, which is linked to state intelligence, stated the talks will resume on the following day, additionally between Hamas and intermediaries in the resort town of the Egyptian city, where an Israeli delegation landed on Monday.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian faction are anticipated to participate 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 outlines an instant ceasefire, an exchange of all captives held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the demilitarization of Hamas and the establishment of a interim administration led by an international body.

One of Hamas’s main conditions since the beginning of the war has been a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release of the outstanding captives. And while the armed faction has indicated its readiness to relinquish administrative authority, it has consistently ruled out disarming.

In this first phase of negotiations, Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries are working with both sides to prepare foundational terms for the release of the remaining forty-eight Israeli hostages held in the enclave in exchange for 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and to decide the date of a short-term ceasefire.

This round of negotiations is expected to be challenging and complex, and could last for several days, according to reports. Further more details on the negotiations shortly.

These negotiations come as people in Israel across the country get ready to commemorate the second commemoration of the October 7th Hamas-initiated assaults on Israel’s southern region, in which approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly non-combatants, were slain and 251 taken hostage.

Doubt Remains Over Ceasefire Deal

While there are optimistic indicators about this effort to bring about an conclusion to the conflict in Israel, there remains uncertainty over if a deal can be reached and, crucially, maintained.

The Palestinian faction has in part agreed to Trump’s 20 point proposal, which the Israeli government has agreed to, but there are still significant sticking points that need resolving, including the post-war administration of Gaza, the extent of withdrawal of Israeli forces and Hamas’ disarmament.

Negotiators have to agree which detainees from Palestine will be freed from prisons in Israel. The Palestinian delegation is likely to ask for political figures, such as the Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi, who are highly regarded in the West Bank and Gaza.

Rightwing members of the Israeli government have put pressure on to make sure such influential individuals remain behind bars, news outlets in Israel has reported.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right government official, threatened to leave the government if the faction still remained after the release of captives, adding another hurdle to already delicate peace talks.