Israel and Hamas appear closer than ever to a deal to end their two-year war — but questions remain. Delegations from Israel, Hamas, the U.S., Egypt and Qatar are meeting on Monday.
Two years after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the subsequent war they ignited may finally be approaching a turning point.
On Friday, Hamas said it had partially agreed to a 20-point plan introduced by the White House to end the fighting in Gaza. Israel said it accepted the plan’s first phase — agreeing in principle to a limited troop pullback tied tobut framed that acceptance as conditional, saying Hamas must be disarmed as part of any final deal.
On Sunday, President Trump told CNN that Hamas would face „complete obliteration“ if it refuses to relinquish control of Gaza, while saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on board with ending Israel’s bombing of the territory.
Also on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on CBS‘ Face the Nation that Hamas has agreed to the framework of a hostage deal, emphasizing that talks should focus on „the logistics behind the release of these hostages.“
Delegations from Israel, Hamas and the United States — joined by mediators from Egypt and Qatar — will meet Monday in Sharm El Sheikh, an Egyptian Red Sea resort town, as global protests over the Gaza war continue and diplomatic pressure mounts for a ceasefire. Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will be joining the U.S. team.What’s on the table for Monday’s talks in Egypt?
The White House’s 20-point proposal would immediately end the war in Gaza once both sides accept. Under the plan, Israeli forces would pull back to a designated „initial line“ inside Gaza so hostages can be handed over, and military operations would be suspended while transfers take place.
All 48 hostages, living and deceased — only 20 are believed to be alive — would be returned within 72 hours of both sides publicly accepting the agreement.
