The first round of indirect consultations between the mediators of Egyptian Sharm El Sheikh and Hamas ended on Tuesday, and was described as positive by participants, creating a roadmap and mechanism for the current negotiation cycle.
Hamas told mediators that the continued bombing of Gaza was a major obstacle to the release of Israeli prisoners, officials told Al Jazeera.
The delegation included senior negotiators Khalil Al Haiya and Zahar Jabalin, who survived the fatal Israeli strike in Doha last month.
The talks have introduced a new framework to resolve the conflict following President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of 20-point Gaza Peace Plan.
The plan outlines a step-by-step approach that begins with the ceasefire and the release of hostages and then with the establishment of a transitional governance structure in Gaza.
Key factors include demilitarizing Gaza, the deployment of international stabilisation forces, and the creation of a “peace committee” to oversee the transition.