**Peace Talks Between Israel and Hamas to Resume on Two-Year Anniversary of Conflict**
Peace talks between Israel and Hamas are set to resume on Tuesday at an Egyptian resort city, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the militant group’s surprise attack on Israel. This attack triggered a bloody conflict that has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths in Gaza.
The second day of indirect negotiations in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh will focus on a plan proposed last week by US President Donald Trump. After several hours of talks on Monday, officials reported that the parties had agreed on most of the first-phase terms, which include the release of hostages and the establishment of a ceasefire.
The plan has received widespread international backing. Trump told reporters on Monday that he believed there was a strong chance of achieving a lasting deal. “This is beyond Gaza. Gaza is a big deal, but this is really peace in the Middle East,” he said.
### Key Challenges Remain
Despite progress, many uncertainties remain. One major sticking point is the demand that Hamas disarm and the future governance of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long insisted that Hamas must surrender and disarm, but Hamas has yet to comment on whether it would be willing to comply.
The proposed plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza after Hamas disarms, followed by the establishment of an international security force. The territory would then be placed under international governance, overseen by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
### Background: The War and Its Impact
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and abducting 251. Hamas currently holds 48 hostages, around 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
### Two-Year War Toll
The conflict has left a devastating toll on Gaza’s population and infrastructure:
– Over 67,000 people killed; 11% of Gaza’s population has been killed or injured.
– More than 2,000 displaced Palestinians have died while seeking food.
– 30% of the population have been hungry for days.
– 465 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the war began.
– Over 40,000 Palestinians have suffered life-altering injuries.
– Approximately 102,067 buildings destroyed.
– Out of every 10 people, one has been killed or injured in an Israeli strike.
– Nine out of every 10 buildings and homes are either damaged, flattened, or wrecked.
– Eight out of every 10 acres of cropland have been razed.
– Nearly the entire population is displaced, with thousands missing.
– Four out of every 100 children have lost one or both parents.
—
*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed and news agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of the data contained in this text. Mid-day management and mid-day.com reserve the sole right to alter, delete, or remove (without notice) content at their absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/israel-hamas-peace-talks-resume-in-egypt-on-two-year-gaza-war-anniversary-23597688