Representatives of Israel and Hamas are in Egypt for indirect talks on the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
By Nathan Morley
Israel and Hamas have reportedly begun indirect negotiations in Egypt aimed at implementing President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza.
Preparatory talks began Monday morning between representatives from Hamas, Qatar and Egypt, according to officials.
The discussions follow Hamas’ partial acceptance last week of Trump’s 20-point proposal, which includes the release of Israeli hostages.
The group has not agreed to all conditions.
On Sunday night, Trump urged swift progress. “Everyone needs to move fast,” he said. “I am told that the first phase should be completed this week.”
Israeli continues offensive in Gaza
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continued. Civil defence officials said 24 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 21 deaths and 96 injuries over the same period.
The ministry said the total death toll in Gaza has reached 67,160 since Israel launched its military campaign in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
UN warns of ‘dire conditions’ in Gaza hospitals
Meanwhile, U.N. aid teams described dire conditions in Gaza’s hospitals, where premature babies cry for oxygen and medics struggle to treat children wounded in airstrikes.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, speaking from central Gaza on Friday, said he witnessed children “either suffering or dying everywhere I looked.”
Elder also reported seeing three children “all shot by quadcopters,” amid growing concern over injuries sustained by civilians seeking aid from U.S. and Israeli-backed distribution hubs that operate outside U.N. coordination.
