**Peace Talks Between Israel and Hamas Set to Resume Amid Ongoing Conflict**
Peace talks between Israel and Hamas were scheduled to resume on Tuesday at an Egyptian resort city, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the militant group’s surprise attack on Israel. This attack ignited a brutal conflict resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.
The second day of indirect negotiations is taking place in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, focusing on a plan proposed last week by US President Donald Trump. After several hours of talks on Monday, officials reported that the parties agreed on most of the initial phase terms, which include the release of hostages and the establishment of a ceasefire.
The plan has garnered widespread international support. Trump expressed optimism, telling reporters on Monday that there is a “really good chance” of achieving a lasting deal. “This is beyond Gaza. Gaza is a big deal, but this is really peace in the Middle East,” he said.
### Key Uncertainties Remain
Despite progress, several uncertainties remain, particularly regarding Hamas’s demand to disarm and the future governance of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Hamas must surrender and disarm, but Hamas has yet to comment on whether it would be willing to comply.
Under the proposal, Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza following Hamas’s disarmament, with an international security force deployed to the region. The territory would then come under international governance, overseen by President Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
### Background: The War and Its Toll
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting 251. Hamas currently holds 48 hostages, with around 20 believed to be alive.
### The Human Cost of Two Years of War
– Out of every 10 people in Gaza, one has been killed or injured in Israeli strikes, nine have been displaced, and at least three have gone days without food.
– Four out of every 100 children have lost one or both parents.
– Eight out of every 10 buildings that stood in Gaza before the war are damaged or destroyed.
– Nine out of every 10 homes have been wrecked.
– Eight out of every 10 acres of cropland have been razed (more than three out of every four hectares).
– Nearly the entire population is displaced, and thousands remain missing.
### Key Statistics
– **67,000+**: Number of people killed; 11% of Gaza’s population has been killed or injured.
– **2,000+**: Number of displaced Palestinians killed while seeking food.
– **30%**: Portion of the population that has been hungry for days.
– **465**: Number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the war began.
– **40,000+**: Number of Palestinians who have suffered life-altering injuries.
– **102,067**: Approximate number of buildings destroyed.
—
*This story has been sourced from third-party syndicated feeds and agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or data of the text. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) the content at their absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/israel-hamas-peace-talks-resume-in-egypt-on-two-year-gaza-war-anniversary-23597688