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Key Takeaways:

• Israeli and Hamas representatives meet in Sharm el-Sheikh seeking ceasefire terms
• Hostage releases and prisoner exchanges form the crux of talks
• Israel’s bombardment of Gaza continues, though officials claim reduced strikes
• A high civilian toll, including thousands killed and injured, underscores urgency
• Mothers in Gaza share fears of raising children amid constant warfare

Ceasefire Negotiations in Egypt

Israeli and Hamas officials arrived in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh amid urgent calls for a comprehensive ceasefire. The aim is to hammer out an agreement that addresses both the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages—some of whom remain missing or presumed deceased under rubble, according to Hamas.

Key Conditions and Potential Timetable

Negotiators, including a delegation led by Israeli official Ron Dermer and Hamas representative Khalil al-Hayyah, have only a few days to reach consensus. The proposed first stage of any agreement involves an Israeli troop withdrawal and a potential exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Under a U.S.-backed plan, Hamas is expected to release 48 hostages—about 20 believed to be alive—within three days, with conditions that the group would also relinquish power and disarm.

Military Strikes and Ground Updates

Despite diplomatic overtures, Israeli forces continue aerial and ground operations in Gaza. While the Israeli military labels these ongoing efforts as principally defensive, it has acknowledged multiple strikes targeting what it describes as terrorist cells armed with explosives, mortars, or anti-tank weaponry. Hamas-led militants initiated the broader conflict on October 7, 2023, when they abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200, mostly civilians.