INTERNATIONAL: Gaza Conflict: Is the War Nearing an End?
In a region scarred by prolonged conflict, fresh diplomatic efforts are stirring cautious hope.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel kicked off in Egypt this week, centered on a US proposed peace framework aimed at halting the Gaza war.
These talks arrive at a critical juncture, two years after the October 7 attacks that ignited the crisis.
With lives hanging in the balance, the outcome could reshape the path toward stability or deepen existing divides.
Indirect Talks Launch in Sharm el-Sheikh
Delegations from both sides convened at the scenic Red Sea resort, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
Hamas’s team, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, and Israel’s group, led by Ron Dermer, a key advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, began discussions without direct contact.
Key agenda items include establishing a ceasefire, exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and initiating a partial Israeli troop pullback from Gaza.
US Ambassador to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, are expected to lend their influence to the process.
A senior Egyptian official confirmed the sessions’ start, noting the mediators’ role in bridging gaps.
Despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, which claimed dozens of lives over the weekend, the focus remains on building momentum for de-escalation.
Flotilla Activists Deported Amid Aid Push
Parallel to the diplomacy, Israel moved to disperse international solidarity efforts.
Authorities deported 171 activists from a flotilla of boats that approached Gaza’s coast to deliver aid and protest the blockade.
Among those sent home was Swedish environmental advocate Greta Thunberg, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla comprising 42 vessels and over 470 participants.
The group aimed to spotlight the humanitarian crisis, including famine warnings in northern Gaza.
Israel intercepted the boats in international waters last week, detaining crew and passengers.
While 341 have been expelled so far, many arriving in Athens and other hubs, around 138 remain in custody, with some on hunger strike to demand release.
Trump’s Frustration with Netanyahu’s Stance
Behind the scenes, US President Donald Trump pressed his case directly with Israeli leadership.
Following Hamas’s qualified acceptance of parts of his 20-point plan, Trump dialed Netanyahu on Monday, only to encounter pushback.
Netanyahu voiced disappointment over the response, viewing it as insufficient progress.
Trump, undeterred, reportedly countered with sharp words: “I don’t understand why you always have such a terrible negativity. This is a victory. Welcome it.”
The exchange underscores the high stakes and personal dynamics at play.
Trump has framed the proposal as a pathway to lasting peace, encompassing not just immediate halts to fighting but also postwar governance for Gaza.
Urgency for Swift Implementation
Trump hailed the engagement with Hamas, Arab, and Muslim nations as a constructive step forward.
He emphasized wrapping up negotiations promptly, targeting rollout of the plan’s initial phase within the week.
Optimism tempers realism here. Mediators are prioritizing a comprehensive hostage-prisoner swap and initial withdrawals to prevent past breakdowns in talks.
Yet, thorny issues like Hamas disarmament and Gaza’s long-term security linger.
For families on all sides, the wait feels interminable. As one hostage relative pleaded in a public video, “Please end this nightmare.”
Whether this round delivers breakthroughs or stalls remains the pressing question.
In the end, these developments hint at a possible turning point, but history cautions against unchecked hope.
The coming days will test commitments amid the fog of war.