Hamas delegation Arrives for Indirect Talks on Trump-Era Gaza Plan
CAIRO – A Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo for indirect negotiations with Israel, mediated by Egyptian and Qatari officials, regarding a potential ceasefire and long-term peace plan reportedly based on proposals initially drafted during the Trump administration.The talks mark a significant, though tentative, shift in diplomatic efforts as the conflict in Gaza continues.
The move comes amid ongoing international pressure to secure a lasting resolution to the conflict and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While details of the Trump-era plan remain largely undisclosed, sources indicate it proposes a phased approach to reconstruction, economic development, and security arrangements, contingent upon Hamas releasing all hostages and Israel agreeing to a sustained ceasefire. The current negotiations aim to assess the viability of adapting the original framework to the present circumstances and address concerns raised by both sides.
Last week, hundreds of activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, were detained by Israeli forces after a flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza was intercepted. Israeli authorities arrested approximately 470 people as dozens of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were stopped from reaching Gaza.Israel has as deported several of those arrested.
On Monday, Israel deported Greta Thunberg and 170 other activists, citizens of Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland, Norway, the UK, Serbia, and the United States. Last Sunday, 29 people - Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch nationals – were deported to Spain. saturday saw the deportation of 137 detainees to turkey, including citizens of the US, Italy, UK, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Malaysia, Bahrain, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Turkey. four Italian citizens were deported last Friday.
Israel maintains it’s navy intercepted the aid flotilla approximately 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, asserting the vessels were ”approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade.” The GSF has condemned the interceptions as “illegal,” arguing Israel’s response was ”a brazen act of desperation” rather than self-defense.
