Delegations from Israel and Hamas began indirect negotiations in Egypt on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a plan aimed at halting the war in Gaza – or at least paving the way for coexistence.
Though still vague, the plan has won backing from both sides as well as Arab and Western nations. Experts say it brings the parties closer than ever in two years to ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Heres a concise timeline of pivotal moments since the conflict reignited:
2023
– October 7: Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages.
– October 8: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a "state of war" and vowed to dismantle Hamas, triggering widespread airstrikes on Gaza.
– November 24-December 1: A temporary four-day ceasefire brokered by Qatar and other mediators paused hostilities. The truce was extended twice. Over 100 hostages were freed and Israel released 240 Palestinian detainees. Airstrikes resumed on December 2.
– December 11: Israel expressed willingness to negotiate a humanitarian ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases, while Hamas demanded a halt to military operations first.
As talks resume in Egypt, the world watches to see if this timeline will pivot toward a lasting pause and a path to peace.
Reference(s):
Two years on: A timeline of key events in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
cgtn.com
