Trump Gaza Peace Plan Nears Agreement in Egypt Amid Hostage Negotiations

Two years after the deadly October 7 attacks, peace talks involving Israel and Hamas are underway in Egypt to discuss details of President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, which both sides have tentatively endorsed but with reservations. Key issues include the release of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners, a move intended as an initial goodwill gesture but complicated by deep mistrust and Hamas's leverage over the hostages. Governance of Gaza post-conflict remains a major hurdle, with the plan proposing a technocratic Palestinian committee supervised by a US-led "Board of Peace," a proposal rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu who opposes the Palestinian Authority's involvement. Despite these challenges, the talks have prompted concessions from both parties, though experts emphasize that any agreement will likely occur in stages. Meanwhile, public sentiment in Israel reflects the human cost and desire for peace, exemplified by a solidarity cycling event near Gaza demanding the return of hostages. Qatar and Egypt continue to facilitate the negotiations, underscoring the complexity and numerous unresolved details of the peace plan.