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Mediated discussions focused on achieving a comprehensive deal on a US peace plan to stop the conflict in Gaza have commenced in the mediation venue of the Egyptian resort town.

Palestinian and Egyptian officials have indicated that the discussions are concentrating on "establishing the groundwork" for a possible exchange that would see the freeing of all captured Israelis in return for a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has said it consents to the peace plan proposals to some extent, but has not responded to several key demands - such as its military demobilization and future role in Gaza.

Israel's prime minister said on recently that he anticipated declaring the freeing of detained individuals "soon"

Background Context

The negotiations, which will feature Egyptian and Qatari officials holding shuttle meetings with representatives from both the conflicting parties in isolation, take place on the approach of the second anniversary of the armed assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were captured.

The Israeli military initiated operations in Gaza in retaliation. From that point, approximately 67,160 have been fatally injured by defense force actions in Gaza, as reported by the territory's local health authorities.

Peace Plan Details

The 20-point plan, which has been endorsed by US President Donald Trump and the Netanyahu government, outlines an quick halt to fighting and the release of 48 captives, only 20 individuals are thought to be living, in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The plan stipulates that once all involved accept the proposal "humanitarian support will be immediately sent into the Palestinian territory"

It also states that the organization would have no involvement in governing Gaza, and it leaves the door open an independent Palestinian nation.

Current Situation

On Friday, the group answered to the plan in a announcement, in which the group consented "to liberate all detainees, both surviving and deceased, following the transfer mechanism contained in President Trump's proposal" - if the necessary circumstances for the exchanges are satisfied.

It failed to address or approve Trump's 20-point plan but said it "renews its agreement to hand over the management of the conflict zone to a local administration of professionals, based on regional unity and regional endorsement"

The statement made no mention of one of the key demands of the plan – that Hamas consent to its weapons surrender and to playing no further role in the governance of Gaza.

Global Perspectives

Many Palestinians described the group's reaction to the ceasefire proposal as unanticipated, after days of signals that the organization was considering denial or at least heavily condition its endorsement of the American initiative.

Instead, the militant group refrained from including its customary boundaries in the public announcement, a move many interpret as a sign of external pressure.

International and regional leaders have supported the plan. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has described the American initiatives as "authentic and resolute"

The Persian nation - which has been one of Hamas's main sponsors for many years - has also currently expressed its endorsement of the American initiative.

Current Situation

Armed attacks carried on in various locations of the conflict zone on recently prior to the negotiations starting.

Israeli forces is conducting an military operation in the city, which it has stated is designed to securing the release of the remaining hostages.

A spokesperson, spokesman for the region's civil protection agency, reported that "assistance vehicles have been allowed into the metropolitan area since the offensive began recently"

"There are still bodies we cannot access from locations under defense force authority" he commented.

Hundreds of thousands of the metropolitan area have been forced to flee after the defense forces required departures to a specified safe zone in the south, but further countless people are considered to have persisted.

Israel's defence minister has cautioned that those who remain during the offensive would be "combatants and their sympathizers"

In the last 24 hours, 21 residents have been fatally injured in Gaza and a further 96 wounded, the local medical authorities said in its latest update.

Foreign correspondents have been banned by the government from entering the Gaza Strip autonomously since the start of the war, making verifying claims from both sides challenging.