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Initial phase of Middle East talks between the Palestinian group and mediators have concluded in the Arab Republic “amid a positive environment”, according to Egypt’s government-affiliated news outlets early on the weekday.

An Egyptian news source, affiliated with state intelligence, reported the talks will continue on Tuesday, additionally between Hamas and intermediaries in the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, where an representatives from Israel landed on Monday.

Israel and the Palestinian faction are expected to participate in indirect talks on the specifics of a proposal by US President Donald Trump for a hostage-prisoner exchange and long-term ceasefire.

The US president’s 20-point plan outlines an instant halt in hostilities, an exchange of all captives held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by the Israeli state, a phased pullout of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the disarmament of the group and the establishment of a interim administration led by an international body.

Among the faction’s main demands since the beginning of the conflict has been a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the freeing of the remaining captives. And while the Palestinian militant group has signaled its willingness to relinquish administrative authority, it has repeatedly rejected laying down arms.

In this first phase of talks, Middle Eastern intermediaries are collaborating with both sides to establish ground conditions for the liberation of the remaining forty-eight captives from Israel held in Gaza in return for one thousand seven hundred detainees from Palestine held in prisons in Israel, and to determine the date of a short-term ceasefire.

These discussions of negotiations is anticipated to be challenging and complex, and could continue for a number of days, as per sources. Further additional information on the negotiations soon.

The talks occur as Israelis across the country prepare to commemorate the two-year commemoration of the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on Israel’s southern region, in which about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were slain and 251 captured.

Doubt Persists Over Peace Agreement

While there are optimistic indicators about this effort to achieve an conclusion to Israel’s war, there persists uncertainty over whether or not a agreement can be secured and, importantly, maintained.

Hamas has partially agreed to Trump’s 20 point plan, which Israel has accepted, but there are still significant sticking points that need resolving, including the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip, the degree of Israel’s military withdrawal and Hamas’ disarmament.

Negotiators have to decide which detainees from Palestine will be freed from prisons in Israel. The representatives from Palestine is expected to request prominent leaders, such as the Palestinian leader a well-known detainee, who are highly regarded in the West Bank and the coastal enclave.

Rightwing members of the Israeli government have exerted influence to ensure such influential individuals remain behind bars, news outlets in Israel has reported.

A far-right minister, the far-right public security minister, threatened to quit the administration if the faction still existed after the release of captives, adding another hurdle to already delicate negotiations.