Marking two years since the terrorist organization Hamas brutally attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, negotiators are in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for indirect talks on how to end the Gaza-Israel war.
Israel has already agreed to President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point plan to end the war, and Hamas has agreed partially.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that Hamas has agreed to release the remaining hostages, but they are seeking further negotiation on several points.
Hamas agrees to Israeli hostage release, avoids addressing other points
Trump’s plan demands all hostages, living and dead, to be returned to Israel within 72 hours of agreement.
Currently, 48 hostages, 26 of which have been publicly confirmed dead, remain in Gaza.
These hostages will be exchanged for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans jailed by Israel during the war. Israel also agreed to release the remains of 15 Gazans for every hostage whose remains are released.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared hopeful on Saturday about the exchange.
Hamas also agreed to “hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip” in the way Trump proposed, per their statement.
However, Hamas avoided any promise to give up weapons.
The plan requires big changes in Gaza
Trump’s 20-point plan gives big aspirations for the Gaza Strip, referring to it as New Gaza.
Under the plan, Gaza will be a de-radicalized, terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
It will be redeveloped, receive humanitarian aid and be rebuilt.
Gaza will at first be governed by a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee.” This committee will be overseen by a new international transitional body called the “Board of Peace.” This board will be headed and chaired by Trump. Other members will include former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair.
This body will set the framework and handle Gaza’s redevelopment funding until the Palestinian Authority has completed a “reform program.”
A panel of Middle Eastern business experts will assist in creating an economic plan to rebuild Gaza in a way that attracts investment.
Hamas and other terrorist organizations will have no role in Gaza’s governance directly, indirectly or in any form. Their tunnels, military and weapon production facilities will be destroyed and not rebuilt.
The people of Gaza free to leave or stay
No Gazan residents will be forced to leave their home, and those who want to leave will be free to do so and return at any point.
Trump’s plan states, “We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.”
Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza
Currently, the Israeli Defense Force is active in the Gaza Strip.
As the United States and Middle Eastern and international partners develop a temporary International Stabilization Force, the IDF will withdraw gradually.
The IDF’s final withdrawal from Gaza will be from a security perimeter that will stay in place until Gaza is fully secured against any renewed terror threat.
The ISF will vet Palestinian police forces, consult with Jordan and Egypt and be the long-term internal security solution in Gaza.
Israel and Egypt will help the ISF secure Gaza’s borders.
A Jewish and Muslim interfaith dialogue will be established
“An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace,” Trump’s plan states.
Details on this interfaith dialogue have not been given yet, but it may be facilitated by outside parties.
The final point of Trump’s plan states the U.S. will establish dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians for “peaceful and prosperous co-existence.”
What happened on Oct. 7?
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas waged the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
In his most recent address to the United Nations, Netanyahu said that Hamas “slaughtered 1,200 innocent people, including over 40 Americans and foreign nationals represented here. They beheaded men. They raped women. They burnt babies alive. They burnt babies alive in front of their parents.”
Hamas took 250 people hostage, including Holocaust survivors, grandmothers and their grandchildren.
Since then, the conflict has resulted in massive casualties among Israelis and Palestinians alike.