Gaza talks in Egypt turn to critical sticking points between Israel and Hamas

Both sides seek clarification of details that derailed previous attempts to end the war

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Delegations from Israel and Hamas held their first day of indirect negotiations in Egypt on Oct 6 on US President Donald Trump's plan to halt the war in Gaza, wrestling with contentious issues such as demands that Israel withdraw and Hamas disarm.

Israel and Hamas have endorsed the overall principles behind Mr Trump's plan, under which fighting would cease, hostages go free and aid pour into Gaza.

The plan also has the backing of Arab and Western states. Mr Trump has called for negotiations to take place swiftly towards a final deal, in what Washington hails as the closest the sides have yet come to ending the two-year-old conflict.

Mr Trump, who has cast himself as the only world leader capable of achieving peace in Gaza, has invested significant political capital in efforts to end the war that has killed tens of thousands and left US ally Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage.

"I really think we are going to have a deal," Mr Trump told reporters on Oct 6 at the White House as the delegations met in Egypt. "We have a really good chance of making a deal, and it will be a lasting deal."

But both sides are seeking clarifications of crucial details, including over issues that have derailed all previous attempts to end the war and could defy any quick resolution.

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