Gaza peace talks enter second day on two-year anniversary of beginning of war

Peace talks between Israel and Hamas were resuming at an Egyptian resort city on Tuesday, the two-year anniversary of the militant group's surprise attack on Israel that triggered the bloody conflict that has seen tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza.

The second day of indirect negotiations in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh is focused on a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump last week that aims to bring about an end to the war in Gaza.

After several hours of talks on Monday, an Egyptian official with knowledge of the discussions said the parties agreed on most of the first-phase terms, which include the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meetings.

The plan has received widespread international backing, and Trump told reporters on Monday that he thought there was a “really good chance” of a “lasting deal.” “This is beyond Gaza,” he said. "Gaza is a big deal, but this is really peace in the Middle East." Trump's peace plan Many uncertainties remain, however, including the demand that Hamas disarm and the future governance of Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long said Hamas must surrender and disarm, but Hamas has not yet commented on whether it would be willing to.

The plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza after Hamas disarms, and an international security force being put in place. The territory would then be placed under international governance, with Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing it.

The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251.

The devastating war that has ensued has upended global politics, resulted in the deaths of 67,160 Palestinians, nearly 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and has left the Gaza Strip in ruins.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says more than half of the deaths were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the United Nations and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.

A growing number of experts, including those commissioned by a UN body, have said Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide - an accusation Israel vehemently denies.

On Tuesday, in the area attacked by Hamas two years ago, thousands of Israelis gathered to pay tribute to their loved ones who were killed and kidnapped. An explosion from Gaza echoed across the fields as they reflected, following the launch of a rocket in northern Gaza. No damage or injuries were reported.

In Gaza City, meanwhile, residents said Israeli attacks continued until the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, though there were no immediate reports of casualties.

A promise of humanitarian relief Ahead of the resumption of talks on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the hostilities, which have created "a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defied comprehension.” “The recent proposal by US President Donald J. Trump presents an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end,” Guterres said.

“A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace. International law must be respected.” Mediators from Qatar and Egypt were facilitating the talks, meeting first on Monday with members of the delegation from Hamas, then later with those from Israel.

Israel's delegation included Gal Hirsch, coordinator for the hostages and the missing from Netanyahu's office, while Hamas representatives included Khalil Al-Hayya, the group's top negotiator.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Monday that US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were on hand to take part in the talks and keep the president apprised.

She did not comment on a specific deadline for concluding the talks, but said it is important “that we get this done quickly.” Part of the plan is to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, where more than two million Palestinians are facing hunger and in some areas famine.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the organisation was poised and ready to act.

“The machinery is cranked up and ready to go as soon as we get the green light,” Dujarric said. “There are many thousands of metric tons in the pipeline of goods ready to enter” from Jordan, the Israeli port of Ashdod and elsewhere, he added.