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First phase of Middle East negotiations between the Palestinian group and mediators have ended in the Arab Republic “amid a constructive environment”, as reported by Egyptian government-affiliated news outlets early on Tuesday.

Al-Qahera News, which is linked to government security, reported the discussions will resume on Tuesday, additionally between Hamas and intermediaries in the resort town of the Egyptian city, where an representatives from Israel arrived on the previous day.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian faction are expected to engage in mediated discussions on the specifics of a plan by US President Donald Trump for a captive-detainee swap and extended truce.

Trump’s twenty-point plan specifies an immediate halt in hostilities, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for detainees from Palestine held by Israel, a staged pullout of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the demilitarization of Hamas and the establishment of a transitional government led by an international body.

One of the faction’s main demands since the outset of the war has been a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory in return for the release of the outstanding captives. And while the armed faction has signaled its readiness to relinquish administrative authority, it has consistently ruled out laying down arms.

In this first phase of talks, Middle Eastern intermediaries are collaborating with the two parties to establish foundational terms for the liberation of the remaining 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for one thousand seven hundred Palestinian prisoners held in prisons in Israel, and to determine the date of a short-term ceasefire.

This round of talks is anticipated to be challenging and complicated, and could continue for several days, according to sources. We will have additional information on the negotiations soon.

The talks occur as people in Israel across the country prepare to mark the second commemoration of the October 7th Hamas-initiated assaults on Israel’s southern region, in which approximately 1,200 people, mostly non-combatants, were slain and 251 captured.

Uncertainty Persists Over Ceasefire Deal

While there are optimistic indicators about this attempt to achieve an conclusion to Israel’s war, there remains doubt over whether or not a deal can be secured and, importantly, maintained.

Hamas has in part agreed to the US president’s 20 point plan, which the Israeli government has accepted, but there are still significant obstacles that need addressing, including the future governance of the Gaza Strip, the degree of withdrawal of Israeli forces and Hamas’ disarmament.

Mediators have to agree which Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails. The representatives from Palestine is expected to ask for prominent leaders, such as the Palestinian leader a well-known detainee, who are widely popular in the Palestinian territory and Gaza.

Rightwing members of the Israeli government have exerted influence to ensure such influential individuals stay behind bars, Israeli media has stated.

A far-right minister, the far-right public security minister, warned to quit the government if Hamas still remained after the freeing of captives, adding another hurdle to already delicate peace talks.