Peace talks in Egypt as war between Hamas and Israel marks two years

Peace talks between Israel and Hamas are resuming in Egypt today two years after the Hamas-led surprise attack at a music festival in Israel which triggered a bloody conflict and war in Gaza.

The talks focus on a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war in the Palestinian territory.

Yesterday, an Egyptian official said the parties agreed on most first-phase terms, including establishing a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages.

How Hamas will be disarmed and how Gaza will be governed in the future remains unclear. The peace plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops and an international security force taking over.

The Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, 2023 killed hundreds and 40 people were kidnapped.

Israel responded with an intense military assault that same day.

Since the war began, Israel says nearly 1,200 of its citizens and soldiers have died and there have been 251 hostages.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli military attacks have killed over 67,000 people in Gaza and destroyed much of the territory in what multiple organizations and some countries have deemed a genocide.

With files from The Canadian Press