(MENAFN) Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap resumed in Egypt on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

The Egyptian daily AlMasry Alyoum stated that talks between Hamas and Israeli representatives entered their second day in the Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh. These discussions are focused on overcoming hurdles to establish a lasting ceasefire.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari confirmed the continuation of the indirect talks, adding that several aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan still require significant discussion between both parties.

In a press briefing in Doha, Al-Ansari noted that Hamas and Israeli negotiators spent four hours on Monday attempting to resolve issues standing in the way of a potential ceasefire agreement.

“Israel should have stopped attacks under Trump’s plan, but what we see on the ground contradicts that,” he stated.

While acknowledging the U.S. efforts, Al-Ansari reiterated Qatar's commitment to facilitating the implementation of Trump’s plan to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza and deliver vital humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.

“The U.S. position is clear,” Al-Ansari emphasized. “There is a link between the ceasefire and release of the (Israeli) hostages.”

Discussions are also taking place between Qatar and the U.S. regarding a framework that could ensure the permanent enforcement of Trump’s plan.

Al-Ansari expressed confidence that a mutually agreed-upon, quickly implementable strategy would secure a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed that a U.S. delegation would join the negotiations on Wednesday to continue pushing for an agreement.

On September 29, Trump revealed a 20-point proposal that includes a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the rebuilding of Gaza. While Hamas has tentatively agreed to the plan, the finer details are still under discussion.

Reports from an Egyptian state-run news outlet indicated that the initial phase of talks wrapped up with a positive outlook. In a similar vein, an Israeli public broadcaster reported growing optimism that a deal could be finalized by Sunday.

The escalating violence has taken a devastating toll in Gaza, where more than 67,100 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have died since October 2023. The continuous bombardment has turned the region into a near-uninhabitable wasteland, causing widespread displacement, hunger, and disease.

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