Discussions between Palestinian factions and mediators in Cairo aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war in Gaza have stalled over the pivotal question of disarming the territory and Hamas, Palestinian sources told AFP on Tuesday.

“Talks are continuing… in a context of clearly differing visions… with the issue of weapons remaining the only point of contention,” a Palestinian source familiar with the talks told AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not supposed to speak publicly about the discussions.

A second Palestinian official spoke of “progress” in the talks but added that “the weapons question was one of the most contentious issues being discussed.”

The ball was “now in Israel and mediators’ court,” he said, referring to Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

Palestinian factions insist on the principle that any disarmament must be linked to a “complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,” he said.

That prospect remains distant.

The peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump, which has received UN endorsement, envisages a full withdrawal of Israeli troops, who currently control roughly 60 percent of the territory, only in the long term.

Israeli strikes have continued at a near-daily pace despite the ceasefire announced in October 2025 after two years of war sparked by the Hamas terror group’s October 2023 invasion of Israel, under the framework presented by Trump.

Each side blames the other for the current impasse.

Hamas accuses Israel of failing to honor its commitments, particularly on humanitarian matters, while Israel is demanding the complete disarmament of the Islamist terror movement before any further progress under the plan.

Palestinian sources told AFP earlier on Tuesday that representatives of Palestinian factions........

© The Times of Israel