Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – For the first time in two years, negotiators from Israel and Hamas are edging closer to a possible ceasefire agreement, with talks set to begin in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The indirect negotiations, brokered by international mediators, represent the most significant step toward ending the long-running Israel-Gaza war. The framework on the table — Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan — is short, direct, and highly controversial.

While Israel has accepted the plan in full, Hamas has only agreed in part, leaving several major sticking points that could make or break the talks.

1. Hostage Release Structure

A top priority in Trump’s proposal is the release of all remaining Israeli hostages within 72 hours of a deal. Reports suggest that 48 hostages are still held in Gaza, with about 20 believed to be alive.

Trump has publicly stated the hostages could be released “very soon,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes it happens before Sukkot ends on October 13th.

Hamas has agreed to the “exchange formula” outlined in the plan — but only if certain “field conditions” are met. With mutual trust at an all-time low, many question whether the group will free the hostages before other parts of the agreement are finalized.

Tensions worsened last month when Israel attempted to assassinate Hamas’s negotiating team in an airstrike on Doha, killing the son of Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya. Ironically, al-Hayya now leads Hamas’s delegation to Egypt — just meters away from Israel’s.

2. Hamas Disarmament

Disarmament remains the hardest demand for Hamas to accept. Israel’s position has been clear from day one: Hamas must be destroyed.

Trump’s plan calls for complete disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of Gaza. However, Hamas insists it will not lay down arms until a sovereign Palestinian state is established.

Over the weekend, Netanyahu reaffirmed his stance:

“Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarized – either the easy way or the hard way.”

So far, Hamas’s official response to the peace plan does not mention disarmament at all — raising serious doubts about their commitment to that clause.

3. Future Governance of Gaza

Under Trump’s framework, Hamas would have no future role in governing Gaza. Instead, the territory would be managed by a temporary transitional authority made up of Palestinian technocrats, overseen by a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump himself and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Eventually, control would shift to the Palestinian Authority (PA).

However, Netanyahu has expressed reservations about the PA’s involvement, despite standing beside Trump when endorsing the plan. This puts him at odds with ultranationalist hardliners in his coalition who want Israel to maintain control of Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there.

Hamas, on the other hand, insists it expects a role in “a unified Palestinian movement,” which both Trump and Israel are likely to reject.

4. sraeli Military Withdrawal

Perhaps the most technically complex issue is how and when Israel’s forces will withdraw from Gaza.

According to Trump’s plan, withdrawal will occur “based on standards, milestones, and timeframes” agreed by all parties — but the details remain vague.

A White House map outlines three withdrawal phases:

• Stage 1: 55% of Gaza remains under Israeli control.
• Stage 2: Reduces control to 40%.
• Stage 3: Leaves 15% as a “security perimeter” until Gaza is “secure from terror threats.”

The lack of a firm timeline or consistent mapping has drawn criticism, as the White House version reportedly differs from Israel’s own military maps, even showing inaccurate Gaza borders.

What’s Next?

The Sharm El-Sheikh talks mark a potential turning point — but optimism remains fragile. With decades of mistrust, political divisions, and conflicting interests, peace between Israel and Hamas will demand more than just a framework.

Still, Trump’s involvement, international mediation, and growing global pressure may push both sides closer to compromise than ever before.