Hamas has signaled it’s ready to make a deal to end the war in Gaza — but they have demands. Talks kicked off in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh as Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed al-Thani and senior U.S. mediators, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, joined the negotiations.
The timing is symbolic: it’s the second anniversary of Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing conflict. Trump expressed cautious optimism, saying, “There’s a possibility we could have peace in the Middle East,” while focusing on Gaza first.
Hamas leaders say they want guarantees that the war will end and never repeat, a complete Israeli withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire, and an immediate start to Gaza’s reconstruction — all under a Palestinian “national technocratic body.” Israel, however, insists Hamas must disarm. Tensions remain high, with Hamas’ allies vowing “resistance by all means” and refusing to give up weapons.
The human cost of the conflict is staggering. Gaza authorities report 67,000 dead and widespread destruction. Israel counts 1,200 killed and 251 taken hostage during the 2023 attacks. Civilians on both sides are desperate for peace. In Gaza, Mohammed Dib said, “It’s been two years of fear, horror, displacement, and destruction.” Meanwhile in Israel, families continue to mourn victims of the attacks, like Yuval and Moshe Shuva, killed at the Nova music festival.
Protests and vigils erupted globally — from Sydney and Istanbul to New York, Paris, and London — both for Palestinians suffering in Gaza and Israelis mourning the victims of Hamas attacks.
U.S. officials are pushing to focus on an immediate ceasefire and logistics for freeing hostages. Israel continues its offensive, amid rising international outrage over the humanitarian crisis. Multiple rights groups and the U.N. have labeled the campaign in Gaza as potentially genocidal, though Israel calls it self-defense.
As the world watches, the Sharm el-Sheikh talks could mark the closest chance yet for ending a war that has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.
