Peace talks begin in Egypt as hopes grow for end to war in Gaza

"Israel and Hamas have both endorsed the overall principles behind US president Donald Trump's plan, under which fighting would cease, hostages would go free and aid would pour into Gaza. The plan also has the backing of Arab and Western states. Mr Trump has called for negotiations towards a final deal to take place swiftly. Washington has said this is the closest the sides have come to ending the fighting."

"Mr Trump has told Israel to suspend its bombing of Gaza for the talks. Gaza residents said Israel had scaled back its offensive substantially, although it had not halted it altogether. Gaza health authorities reported 19 people killed by Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours - around a third of the typical daily toll of recent weeks, during which Israel has been mounting one of his biggest offensives of the war."

"Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and left the majority of Gazans homeless and hungry in the rubble of an enclave destroyed by relentless bombardment. Egyptian sources said Hamas was seeking clarification on several details, including guarantees that Israel would follow through with promises to withdraw its troops from Gaza once the militants give up their leverage by freeing their hostages."

Israel and Hamas have endorsed a US proposal that envisions a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and large-scale aid deliveries into Gaza. Arab and Western states also back the plan. Washington says the proposal is the closest the sides have come to ending the fighting and has urged swift negotiations toward a final deal. Israel was asked to suspend bombing for the talks; residents reported a substantial scale-back but not a complete halt. Gaza health authorities reported 19 deaths in 24 hours. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and much of Gaza lies in rubble. Egyptian-mediated talks began in Sharm El-Sheikh while Hamas seeks guarantees on Israeli withdrawal and follow-through tied to hostage releases.

Read at Irish Independent