Gaza talks hosted by Egypt stall as Hamas disarmament 'remains only point of contention'

Key Points:

• Talks between Palestinian factions and mediators in Cairo to end the Gaza war have stalled over the contentious issue of disarming Gaza and Hamas, with Palestinian groups linking disarmament to a full Israeli withdrawal, which remains unlikely soon.
• Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have tentatively agreed to hand over parts of their arsenal to a new Palestinian entity, but Israel demands complete demilitarization starting with Hamas, causing a major impasse.
• Despite a ceasefire announced in October 2025, Israeli strikes continue, and both sides blame each other for the stalled peace process, with Hamas accusing Israel of failing humanitarian commitments and Israel insisting on Hamas's full disarmament.
• Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a senior Hamas military medical officer and hospital director in Gaza, has been held by Israel without charge for 18 months and was recently moved to solitary confinement amid allegations of severe abuse, prompting calls from human rights groups for his release.
• Physicians for Human Rights Israel has petitioned the High Court for the release of 14 Palestinian doctors detained without indictment, highlighting ongoing legal and humanitarian concerns regarding Gaza medical personnel in Israeli custody.