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Initial phase of Gaza negotiations between Hamas and mediators have ended in Egypt “amid a positive atmosphere”, as reported by Egyptian state-linked media early on Tuesday.

Al-Qahera News, which is linked to government security, reported the talks will continue on the following day, also between the militant faction and mediators in the resort town of the Egyptian city, where an Israeli delegation arrived on Monday.

Israel and Hamas are expected to engage in indirect talks on the details of a plan by American leader Donald Trump for a captive-detainee exchange and extended ceasefire.

The US president’s 20-point plan specifies an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all captives held by Hamas for detainees from Palestine held by the Israeli state, a phased pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza, the demilitarization of the group and the introduction of a interim administration led by an international body.

One of Hamas’s main demands since the beginning of the war has been a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory in return for the release of the remaining hostages. And while the armed faction has signaled its willingness to give up administrative authority, it has consistently ruled out disarming.

During this initial stage of negotiations, Middle Eastern mediators are working with the two parties to prepare ground conditions for the release of the still held 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for one thousand seven hundred detainees from Palestine held in Israeli jails, and to decide the date of a temporary truce.

This round of talks is expected to be challenging and complicated, and could continue for a number of days, according to sources. Further additional information on the discussions shortly.

The talks come as Israelis across the nation get ready to commemorate the second commemoration of the October 7th Hamas-initiated attacks on southern Israel, in which about twelve hundred people, mostly civilians, were killed and two hundred fifty-one taken hostage.

Doubt Remains Over Peace Agreement

While there are positive signs about this attempt to achieve an end to the conflict in Israel, there persists doubt over whether or not a deal can be secured and, crucially, maintained.

Hamas has partially agreed to Trump’s 20 point plan, which Israel has agreed to, but there are still major obstacles that need addressing, including the future governance of Gaza, the extent of Israel’s military withdrawal and Hamas’ disarmament.

Mediators have to decide which Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails. The Palestinian delegation is expected to ask for political figures, such as the figurehead Marwan Barghouthi, who are widely popular in the West Bank and Gaza.

Conservative members of Netanyahu’s coalition have exerted influence to make sure such popular figures stay behind bars, Israeli media has reported.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the ultra-conservative government official, threatened to quit the government if the faction still remained after the freeing of captives, introducing another hurdle to already fragile peace talks.