The war between and turns it two years on Tuesday (7), amid the most promising round of peace negotiations since the beginning of the conflict, in October 2023. Israeli and Palestinian delegations gather in Sharm Elheikh, Egypt, to discuss a plan of ceasefire prepared by the President of the United States ,. The American proposal provides for the release of hostages still maintained by Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from and the formation of interim administration in the territory.
Hamas accepted part of the conditions, including giving up Gaza’s political control and exchanging the 48 remaining hostages for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, the group did not mention disarmament or international supervision provided for in the plan – points considered essential by Israel.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 250. The Israeli response included a major air and land offensive in the Gaza Strip, which, according to, resulted in more than 61,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians.
Hunger and devastation in Gaza
The humanitarian scenario is described by international organizations as catastrophic. In August, the UN -linked Food Safety Classification Framework (IPC), officially stated in Gaza. More than half a million people face “catastrophic” conditions, without regulating food, water and medicines.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres classified food deprivation as a “war crime” and demanded an immediate ceasefire. The Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, denies the accusations and attributes the crisis to “mismanagement of Hamas.”
Destruction is almost total: it is estimated that four out of five enclave buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The World Bank calculates losses by about $ 30 billion. With the collapse of the economy, unemployment reaches 80% and almost the entire population depends on humanitarian aid.
Diplomatic isolation
During the second year of the war, Israel expanded attacks on Hamas targets in countries such as Syria, Iran and Qatar, which increased by their diplomatic isolation. Arab countries that had recent relationships with Tel-Aviv-such as the United Arab, Bahrain and Morocco-expressed discomfort. Egypt, which historically acts as a mediator, even called Israel a “enemy” in September. Countries like Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Canada and Spain are the more than 140 that recognize the Palestinian state.
Internally, Netanyahu faces daily protests that ask for the end of the war and the liberation of hostages. He attempts to balance himself between popular pressures and the resistance of ultranationalist allies, such as ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, contrary to ceasefire.
Trump presents himself as “President of Peace”
In proposing the peace plan, Donald Trump tries to consolidate himself as a mediator of the conflict. The US president sent his son -in -law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff to Egypt to accompany the negotiations. Trump said Hamas is “ready for lasting peace,” but diplomats involved in the negotiations point out that there are still uncertainties about the most sensitive points – especially the disarmament and future governance of Gaza.
