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In Egypt are scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss ending the conflict in Gaza. Delegations from Hamas, Israel, and the United States will also convene in Egypt.

On Monday, direct negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the 20-point plan are scheduled to start in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt’s Red Sea resort.

The talks, which take place on the eve of the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel that led to the war, have sparked hopes that the bloody conflict, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people in Gaza, will soon end. There are also numerous potential obstacles to sealing a deal, though.

Trump has urged the talks to “move quickly” in order to reach an agreement and has insisted that both sides are in agreement with his peace plan.

Trump said “the first phase should be finished this week” despite the failure of several initiatives to try to put an end to the conflict, including two brief ceasefires that broke, the bombardment of Gaza, which has now killed at least 67, 160 people, wounded 169, and forced the enclave’s two million or so people to starve.

Trump claimed in a post on his social media platform Truth Social that there had been “very positive discussions with Hamas” and other governments over the weekend to release the hostages, end the Gaza War, and, more importantly, finally have long sought peace in the Middle East.

He claimed that the discussions have been “very successful and moving quickly.” “I’m urging everyone to act quickly because there will be a lot of bloodshed,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the release of 48 Israeli prisoners held by Hamas, 20 of whom are reportedly still alive, might be made this week, which boosted expectations.

In exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israeli prisons, Hamas would implement the plan.

Israel has agreed to leave Gaza, and Hamas has also agreed to retake control of the region.

lacking in details

The proposal, which lacks details, contains numerous issues that are still unresolved.

Many on both sides of the deal have been enthralled by a vague reference to the establishment of a Palestinian state despite the absence of a specific date for Hamas’ disarmament.

Israeli forces have continued their assault on Gaza in the wake of the talks to begin.

Three people were reportedly attempting to get humanitarian aid when seven people were killed on Monday morning, according to Al Jazeera sources.

Even with Trump’s comments promoting the plan’s prospects, significant obstacles remained, according to Nour Odeh, a journalist from the Jordanian capital Amman.

She said, “There are a lot of details that could potentially derail” the negotiations.

Israel’s unwavering demand that all captives be released within 72 hours could become a sticking point.

Despite the withdrawal agreement, it also insists that its withdrawal dates and schedules have already been established.

She said, “All of these things need to go through delicate discussions.”

The Israeli media reported on Monday that the negotiations would now begin with Hamas representatives speaking with mediators, with Israeli and US representatives not speaking until Wednesday, perhaps reflecting these doubts.

In order for the talks to proceed, Trump has urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza, but strikes have continued all over the area.

There is no ceasefire in place, according to Israeli government spokesman Shosh Bedrosian, who told reporters on Sunday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described two phases that would take place once Hamas accepted Trump’s framework in an interview with This Week.

Hamas would first allow Israel to release its prisoners, and then Israel would retrace its march to Gaza’s “yellow line” in August, where its military was stationed.

Rubio argued that Israel’s bombardment had to end before the captives could be freed, and that Hamas should release them as soon as they were ready.

Future of Hamas a thorn in the side

A significant potential obstacle to Hamas’ future is also looming.

Trump’s strategy calls for the demilitarization of Gaza and forbids Hamas from holding any additional government positions despite allowing its members to continue in place if they renounce violence and disarm.

Hamas has welcomed the plan, saying it is prepared to negotiate the release of the prisoners and work for a “Palestinian national framework” that will determine Gaza’s future.

Netanyahu’s far-right coalition allies have been angered by the possibility that Hamas will continue to exist in any way. They have threatened to overthrow the government over the situation.

The main objective of the war, which is related to the Hamas monster massacre on October 7, is that the terrorist organization Hamas cannot continue to exist, according to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in a social media post.

He claimed that he and Otzma Yehudit, his party, had informed Netanyahu that they would step down from power if Hamas continued to exist after the captives were freed.

He declared, “We will not be a part of a national defeat that will set the stage for the next massacre,” which will also be a ticking time bomb.

The resistance made the announcement on Friday that it was backing a ceasefire in Gaza. Some people feiern on the sidewalks.

We occasionally have the impression that a distant glimpse of hope is shining through whenever a ceasefire proposal is raised in Gaza. Many people no longer have much hope because we have a habit of putting our hopes on hold while anticipating the end only to face harsh realities that make us want to start over. How frequently have we gone through this painful cycle of hopelessness and desperation? However, I still apprehensive about whether this time will be different or whether they are genuinely trying to put an end to this conflict.

We have nothing but hope in my family.

We no longer have our homes, means of income, dreams, and sense of security. My son lost his childhood, he lost his job, he lost his ambitions, and he lost his little world, one where he once felt secure and content.

We inadevăr do not have anything to live on. My engagement ring, which I purchased just last month, was required to sell in order to provide for my child.

After months of famine, Gaza’s markets started restocking with items, including cheese, oil, and some fruits, which we hadn’t seen in a while. However, it was a cruel experience to see these items once more being offered because the majority of us couldn’t afford to purchase them.

I tried to prevent my son from seeing the cheese, but I was unsuccessful. One day while he and his father were walking in the market, he witnessed it. He asked for some as he approached the stall. Later, I hoped that his hunger would be satisfied when I gave him one shekel to purchase a falafel sandwich. He regrettably said, “I don’t want the falafel that hurts my stomach.” I want the “tasty cheese,” she says. In that moment, I broke my heart.

I would have preferred that none of those food items had entered the Strip. To stay alive, we had spent all of our savings on the exorbitant, subpar food that had been on hand in the previous months.

My husband and I spoke bitterly about the skyrocketing prices when he came home that evening, with his head bowed down. I explained to him that I was thinking about selling my engagement ring. My husband planned to visit one of those “aid distribution” or “death traps” as he affectionately called them.

Since so many people who went there were killed, I begged him not to go. But he said, “Our son hasn’t eaten in days,” and he looked at me with sorrow in his eyes. How am I unable to leave?”

His brother was fatally shot by Israeli forces while attempting to provide flour to his five-person family just two weeks prior.

I went to the gold dealers the following morning. I had no choice, but the price they gave me for my ring was unfair, much less than it was before the war.

I purchased 5 kg of flour, 1 litre of olive oil, 500 grams of thyme, 2 cans of cheese, 1 kg of sugar, and 1 can of tomato sauce with the proceeds from selling my ring.

When I got home, it appeared to be Eid had just arrived. We had been having months-long thyme, fresh bread, sweetened tea, and cheese gathered around a table that we had been looking forward to. There was only a fleeting moment of joy in the midst of pain. My hand, which was now completely empty, gave me a stab in the heart, but my child’s smile made me forget about it as I ate it.

We had about a week to eat the food.

Then, we were plagued again by hunger. A piece of bread and tea or thyme was the meal we had earlier that day.

Over the past two years, we’ve been forced to sell our hopes, both physically and mentally, for both gold and memories. We have been forced to leave our home in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood several times. We fled once more earlier this month, and we are now sleeping in a tent in Khan Younis. I’m so sad that I gave up everything I loved.

I have no idea what to do with this conflict right now, but I can be sure that my son’s future is secure and that he won’t have any uncertain future. Without having to worry about food shortages, food costs, or money, I frequently dream of serving him regular, nutritious meals like I did before the war. I picture returning to my home, where I once felt secure and at ease, and the reopening of the schools so that my spouse and I can resume our regular jobs as teachers.

The first thing I would do is embrace my son and say, “My love is over, my fear,” before returning to what is left of our home if there is a ceasefire.