Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are heading to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to start indirect talks over an end to the Israel-Gaza war.

It is the closest both sides have come to a deal since the war began two years ago.

Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan - which Israel has agreed to and Hamas has partly agreed to - is really just a framework, only a few pages long. However, several significant sticking points remain for both sides to resolve.

Hostage release structure

Trump's plan states that within 72 hours of a deal being agreed, all remaining hostages would be released, with 48 Israeli hostages believed to be held in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

Hamas has agreed to the hostage exchange formula, but the group is unlikely to release them until other deal elements are secured. Trust is currently at a low point following recent tensions, including an Israeli airstrike aimed at Hamas negotiators.

Hamas disarmament

Israel's goal throughout the conflict has been the destruction of Hamas, yet a key requirement in Trump's plan is the group's disarmament—a condition Hamas has rejected unless a Palestinian state is unequivocally established.

While Trump's plan includes disarmament, Hamas has made no mention of complying in its response.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated that Hamas will be disarmed, indicating that his government sees this as a non-negotiable aspect of the framework.

Future governance of Gaza

The proposed governance of Gaza under Trump's plan suggests that Hamas will not play a role and that an interim body led by a "Board of Peace," including figures like Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, will oversee the region until it transitions to the Palestinian Authority.

While Netanyahu has agreed to the plan, he has publicly questioned the PA's role in governance, a point that is likely to trigger resistance from his coalition.

Hamas's response indicated a desire to remain part of a unified Palestinian movement, thus potentially conflicting with the proposed governance structure.

Israeli withdrawal

The scope of Israel's military withdrawal also remains a contentious issue within the peace plan. The framework specifies withdrawal must adhere to mutually agreed standards, but the timeline is vague, and the Israeli maps provided lack precision.

As talks progress, clarity on these pivotal issues is expected to be a focal point in negotiations.