Hamas-Israel talks: Move fast, says Trump, as indirect talks begin in Egypt

Huge momentum for progress – but no guarantees for peacepublished at 07:33 BST

07:33 BST

Hugo Bachega
Middle East correspondent, reporting from Jerusalem

The main difference in these negotiations over Gaza is the personal involvement of President Trump, who has put a lot of pressure for a deal to be done – and fast.

He wants to be remembered as the person who brought the war to an end – and, in the process, be rewarded for it, as he is eyeing a Nobel Peace Prize, which will be announced on Friday.

There is pressure not only on Hamas but also on the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been accused of sabotaging negotiations in the past. There have been some indications of President Trump’s irritation with the Israeli leader, but it is still not clear if the Trump effect will be enough for these efforts to succeed.

The talks today will focus on the first phase of the 20-point plan announced by the president: the release of the remaining hostages, both living and dead, in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, and a withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza.

The most difficult elements will be discussed later, points that proved to be major obstacles in previous talks. They include Israel’s demand for Hamas to disarm and a guarantee wanted by the group that the war will not resume after the hostages are freed.

There is huge momentum for progress, but this is no guarantee that a deal will be reached.