PEACE talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Egypt today, exactly two years on from the resistance group’s surprise attack on Israel that led to the ongoing military campaign in Gaza, in which tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed.

The second day of indirect negotiations at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh were focused on a plan to end to the conflict that was proposed by US President Donald Trump last week.

After several hours of talks Monday, an Egyptian source said the parties had agreed on most of the first-phase terms, which include the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire.

Hamas has set out its main conditions in the talks.

Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said the group’s key demands were a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all of Gaza, unrestricted entry for humanitarian and relief aid deliveries, the return of displaced people to their homes, the immediate start of a full reconstruction process, supervised by a Palestinian national body of technocrats, and a fair prisoner exchange deal.

Mr Barhoum accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to “obstruct and thwart” the current round of negotiations, as he had “deliberately thwarted all previous rounds.”

Mr Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas must surrender and disarm, but Hamas has not yet commented on his stance.

The plan envisages Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza after Hamas disarms and an international security force being deployed. 

It also proposes placing the coastal enclave under international governance, with Mr Trump and former British prime minister Tony Blair overseeing the territory.

Part of the plan is to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, where more than two million Palestinians are facing hunger and, in some areas, famine.

The conflict began on October 7 2023, when Hamas-led fighters stormed into southern Israel, leading to the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of some 250 people.

Israeli forces have killed more than 67,160 Palestinians and wounded nearly 170,000 during the military campaign launched in retaliation, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, while also leaving the territory in ruins.

A growing number of experts have said Israel’s offensive in Gaza amounts to genocide, an accusation that Israel denies.

Thousands of Israelis gathered today in the area attacked two years ago to pay tribute to their loved ones who were killed and kidnapped.

In Gaza City, residents said Israel had continued its assault — despite claims by Mr Trump that it would call a halt — killing at least eight Palestinians, according to hospital sources.