**Israel and Hamas Engage in Ceasefire Talks in Egypt** CAIRO — Israeli and Hamas officials are set to meet in Egypt on Monday to discuss a potential ceasefire in Gaza, coinciding with the second anniversary of the war that began on October 7, 2023. The indirect negotiations will take place at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, with the Israeli delegation led by chief negotiator Ron Dermer. Hamas' delegation, headed by Khalil al-Hayyah, arrived in Egypt on Sunday. The talks aim to establish a first stage of a ceasefire, which includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, are expected to participate in the discussions. This diplomatic effort follows Hamas's acceptance of certain elements of a U.S.-drafted peace plan, which Trump has endorsed. The plan stipulates that Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to be alive, within three days and would also disarm. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the negotiations would be brief, stating they would be “confined to a few days maximum.” However, some Hamas officials have expressed concerns that more time may be necessary to locate the bodies of hostages believed to be buried under rubble. Despite ongoing discussions, Israel has continued its military operations in Gaza. The Israeli military reported that it conducted defensive strikes to protect its troops, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 Palestinians over the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry has reported a total of 67,139 Palestinian deaths since the war began, with nearly 170,000 injuries. The U.S. has emphasized that Israel's bombardment of Gaza must cease for the hostages to be released. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated this point, stating, "You can’t release hostages in the middle of strikes, so the strikes will have to stop." In Gaza, families are grappling with the harsh realities of life amid conflict. Many mothers, like Rola Saqer, who gave birth to her daughter Masa on the day the war began, have seen their hopes for a normal life shattered. Saqer described her daughter’s struggles with malnutrition, saying, "I was hoping she would grow up with a strong personality, but she is weak." Amal al-Taweel, another mother, expressed despair over her son Ali's living conditions, stating, "I was envisioning a different life for him. He couldn’t experience what a safe family life feels like." As the negotiations unfold, the situation remains tense, with both sides aware that the outcome could significantly impact the future of Gaza and the broader region. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has praised the U.S. efforts, calling them a step toward lasting peace and stability. The international community watches closely as the talks progress, hoping for a resolution that could end the suffering of those affected by the ongoing conflict.