More from the article ...

... "At the forefront is a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal" of Israeli troops from Gaza, he added, while AlQahera News reported that Hamas is seeking guarantees that Israeli military action will end.

An agreement should also include the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, an assurance that refugees can return and immediate permission to begin reconstruction under a Palestinian committee, Barhoum said.

It wasn't immediately clear if his comments indicate Hamas won't agree to release hostages unless all of the group's conditions are met, a scenario that would reduce the likelihood of a deal being struck imminently. Israeli government spokespeople have yet to comment on the status of the talks. ...

An important thing to note, imo, that the Israeli-Hamas talks in Egypt are not face-to-face with the Israelis and the Hamas.

From what I understand, the scenario is along the lines of ...

Israeli talks to mediators.

Then Hamas talks to mediators.

Then Israelis again talk to the mediators.

Then Hamas again talk to the mediators.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

So, nothing is directly said between Israel and Hamas, but mediators passing messages back and forth.

imo, a good start.

@#4 ... Why doesn't Lewzer just get them in a room and make a deal? Isn't that his thing? It's "his" peace plan and all. ...

Yeah, it is his peace plan.

But, possibly, he has confused the process of "deal" negotiations in NYC real estate with the process of "deal" negotiations in the Middle East?

Time will tell.