Israel and Hamas hold pivotal talks

Indirect meetings in Egypt are to continue. Questions swirl over disarmament of group.

- By Samy Maapy, MELANIE LIDMAN AND WAFAA SHURAFA

ISRAEL continued to bomb Gaza despite President Trump's orders. Sunday's strikes are visible from Israel.

(AMIR LEVT Getty Images)

Israeli and Hamas officials launched indirect talks Monday at an Egyptian resort on a U.S.- drafted peace plan to end the ruinous war in Gaza on the eve ofits second anniversary.

The talks, which went on for several hours, unfolded amid many questions about the plan presented by President Trump last week, including the disarmament of the militant group — a key Israelidemand — and the future governance of the Gaza Strip. Trump has indicated that an agreement on Gaza could pave the way fora Middie East peace process that could reshape the region.

Despite Trump ordering Israel to stop the bombing, Israeli forces continued to pound Gaza with airstrikes, killing at least 19 people in the last 24 hours, the territory’s Health Ministry said.

‘An Egyptian official with knowledge of the talks said that the parties wrapped up Monday’s round of negotiations at the Red Searesort of Sharm el Sheikh and that the discussions were set to resume Tuesday afternoon. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity ofthe talks, said the parties have agreed on most of the firstphase terms, which include the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire.

The Israelis areled by top negotiator Ron Dermer, while Khalil al-Hayyah heads the Hamas delegation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said foreign policy advisor Ophir Falk would be present for Israel.

Egypt's state-owned AlQahera News television station reported that the talks began with a meeting between Arab mediators and the Hamas delegation. Mediators were to meet later with the Israeli delegation, the station said.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were also expected to join the talks, local Egyptian media said.