Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been ongoing for over a year, focusing on resolving the conflict in Gaza and securing the release of numerous hostages held by militants in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

Despite extensive mediation efforts from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, these discussions have frequently stalled due to several critical issues, including the specifics of the hostage exchange, the possibility of a lasting ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli military forces.
Amid mutual accusations of retrenchment, the conflict has continued, resulting in daily fatalities for Palestinians due to Israeli airstrikes. Currently, many of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants find themselves crowded into makeshift tent camps, with their neighborhoods left in devastation. Humanitarian organizations face significant challenges in providing essential support, with experts warning of potential famine conditions.
In Israel, families of the hostages gather weekly to advocate for their loved ones’ release, fearing for their survival under the dire circumstances of captivity as hostilities persist.

Regarding the hostages, approximately 100 individuals remain in the possession of Hamas and allied groups, following the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the ongoing conflict. This attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, with around 250 abducted. The Israeli military has indicated that one-third of these hostages may already be deceased, though they suspect the actual toll could be much higher.
Hamas demands the freedom of many Palestinian prisoners, including key militants previously convicted for attacks against civilians. However, Israel hesitates to release such prisoners, particularly since Yahya Sinwar, a prominent architect of the 2023 attack, was previously released as part of a similar agreement.
Both factions have shared lists containing the names of hostages and prisoners, but disagreements persist over verifying which hostages are still alive, with Israel insisting on prioritizing their return. Hamas advocates for a temporary ceasefire to ascertain the hostages’ status since they are held by various factions in undisclosed locations.
The proposed agreement outlines a phased approach, beginning with the release of the most vulnerable hostages and a reduction of Israeli military presence in certain areas, facilitating some Palestinians’ return home and improving humanitarian access.
In the second stage—negotiated concurrently—remaining hostages would be released in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and further withdrawal of Israeli troops. Hamas insists hostages will not be freed unless there is a commitment to end the warfare, while Israeli offensives in Gaza have reportedly led to over 46,000 deaths, primarily among women and children, although local health records do not specify the number of militants killed in those assaults.
Hamas is concerned that once the hostages are released, Israeli military operations may intensify as Israel seeks to eliminate Hamas’ capabilities completely. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the conflict will not cease until Hamas’s military and governing structures are dismantled, ensuring the group no longer presents a threat.
This mutual distrust complicates matters further, with Israelis apprehensive that Hamas may prolong the negotiations surrounding the second phase of the agreement, potentially allowing hostages to remain in limbo.
Throughout the summer, discussions nearly fell apart when Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s intention to assert control over the Philadelphi corridor, a key region along the Gaza-Egypt borderline, which Israel claims is crucial to prevent Hamas from rearming and smuggling weapons.
Egypt has historically worked to curtail tunnel operations in this area and opposes any lasting Israeli presence on its border with Gaza. Israel also insists on a security protocol to inspect individuals returning to northern Gaza, where many have been displaced due to Israeli evacuation orders at the conflict’s onset.
Israel believes it is necessary to check for weapons among the returning population, a stipulation that would likely require an ongoing Israeli presence in an area known as the Netzarim corridor—a strategic stretch of area from the border to the sea, situated just south of Gaza City.
Palestinians express strong opposition to any notion of permanent Israeli occupation. However, reports suggest that Hamas is willing to negotiate the timeline for Israeli withdrawal.

The future governance of Gaza remains uncertain, with Israel maintaining that Hamas must never again hold power yet failing to present a viable alternative government plan. The absence of internal rivals has allowed Hamas to quickly regroup and retain control after Israeli offensives, even in heavily impacted regions.
The Biden administration has advocated for a comprehensive agreement where a reformed Palestinian Authority would assume control in post-conflict Gaza, backed by Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, which could also establish relations with Israel.

Nevertheless, Arab leaders insist such initiatives must offer a clear roadmap for a Palestinian state encompassing the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza—territories captured by Israel during the 1967 war.
The Israeli government opposes any form of Palestinian statehood and dismisses the Palestinian Authority’s role in Gaza. Netanyahu has stated that Israel will ensure continuous security management while allowing governance to remain in the hands of politically independent Palestinians, though no candidates have emerged willing to fill that role, with threats from Hamas against any potential collaborators with Israel.
Despite this, Hamas has indicated a willingness to transfer control of Gaza to other Palestinian entities. Last year, it consented to an Egyptian-mediated proposal for governance by independents under the Palestinian Authority’s oversight, although this plan has yet to receive the authority’s endorsement.
Hamas has also called for the removal of the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt following its takeover in 2007. Experts argue that lifting the blockade is essential for rebuilding Gaza, but this move would enable Hamas to claim a significant triumph and potentially reestablish its military strength, representing another hurdle in negotiations for Israel.