By Harshit | October 7, 2025 | Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt | 8:00 PM EET
After two years of relentless conflict, there is a potential breakthrough in Gaza that could finally end the bloodshed and return Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, to their families. Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled to begin this week in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, mediated by Egyptian and Qatari officials and observed by the United States.
Humanitarian Toll of Gaza War 2025
The timing of the negotiations is a stark reminder of the trauma inflicted by Hamas’s attacks on 7 October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages. Israel estimates that 20 hostages remain alive, while the bodies of 28 others are still being sought.
Israel’s military response has been devastating, destroying much of Gaza and killing more than 66,000 Palestinians, including over 18,000 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Independent research published in The Lancet suggests the actual death toll may be even higher.
War-Weary Populations and Humanitarian Crisis
Both Israelis and Palestinians are exhausted by the conflict. Polls indicate that a majority of Israelis support a deal that would secure the release of hostages and an end to hostilities. Over two million Palestinians in Gaza are facing a humanitarian catastrophe, caught between Israeli military operations, severe restrictions on aid, and localized food shortages.
Hamas, now weakened, functions more as an urban guerilla force than a cohesive military entity, mounting an insurgency against the IDF in the ruins of Gaza. While Hamas has agreed to hand over power to Palestinian technocrats and dismantle much of its heavy weaponry, it aims to retain enough firepower to defend itself and maintain operational capability.
Political Stakes for Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is balancing national security goals with personal political survival. Facing upcoming elections and an ongoing corruption trial, Netanyahu seeks a “total victory” narrative: the return of hostages, neutralization of Hamas, and demilitarization of Gaza. Any failure could undermine his domestic standing.
Israel’s failed strike in Doha last month highlights the limits of military solutions and underscores the necessity of negotiations. Khalil al-Hayya, leading the Hamas delegation in Sharm el-Sheikh, has personal stakes, as his son was killed in that strike.
Mediation and Indirect Negotiations
Direct meetings between Israeli and Hamas negotiators are not planned. Egyptian and Qatari officials will serve as intermediaries, while the U.S., led by former President Donald Trump, will exert influence. The framework follows Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, outlining steps for hostages’ release, Palestinian prisoner transfers, and possible political arrangements for Gaza.
However, gaps remain. The plan does not address the West Bank’s future or provide a roadmap for Palestinian independence, a key demand of regional stakeholders including Saudi Arabia. Trump emphasizes a rapid resolution, framing the talks as essential to Middle East realignment, especially Israel–Saudi rapprochement.
Challenges Ahead
The immediate goal is securing the hostages’ release under a mutually acceptable framework while negotiating a ceasefire. Hamas must be convinced that Israeli withdrawal and war cessation will follow, while Israel seeks long-term demilitarization assurances.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated preliminary results could emerge in days, but a detailed agreement will require careful negotiations over legal, political, and security mechanisms.
Two years after the Gaza war began, the situation remains fragile. The coming weeks will test diplomats’ skills, leaders’ resolve, and the patience of populations desperate for an end to the conflict.
