Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are engaged in talks in Egypt, working towards an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which has been partially accepted by both parties, presents several sticking points that need to be addressed.
The plan’s release of hostages is a major point of contention, with Israel and Hamas differing on when and how this will occur. The Israeli government’s long-standing goal of destroying Hamas poses an obstacle to trust between the two sides. Furthermore, Hamas has refused to disarm, which could hinder the implementation of the plan.
The plan also proposes the formation of a temporary transitional body in Gaza, governed by Palestinian technocrats and supervised by a ‘Board of Peace’ chaired by Donald Trump. This move is likely to be rejected by ultranationalist hardliners within Netanyahu’s coalition, who seek to maintain control over Gaza.
Another area of contention is the extent of Israel’s military withdrawal from Gaza, with Hamas seeking clarity on the timeline for full withdrawal. The proposed map of Israeli troop withdrawal has been met with criticism, particularly regarding its accuracy and consistency with Israeli military maps.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has been fueled by allegations that Netanyahu is seeking to remain in power by continuing the war. As negotiations continue, trust between Israel and Hamas remains a significant challenge.
Source: www.bbc.com
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