WASHINGTON — As the war in the Gaza Strip enters its third year, Hamas and Israel appear closer than ever to an agreement that would halt the fighting and return the Israeli hostages. But seemingly irreconcilable differences between the two sides continue to cast uncertainty over the Palestinian enclave's post-war future. 

As Israel marked the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack, when 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, negotiators on Tuesday met for the second day in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss President Donald Trump’s ambitious 20-point plan for ending the war. 

The Hamas delegation is headed by Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s top negotiator whom Israel tried to kill in last month’s strike in Doha. Israel’s side includes Gal Hirsch, the country’s coordinator for hostages, with the participation of Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer reportedly contingent on whether progress is made in the negotiations.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — Trump’s son-in-law and an architect of the Abraham Accords — will arrive in Egypt on Wednesday to join the talks, a source familiar with the planning told Al-Monitor.