After nearly two years of deadly conflict, Israel and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas have started indirect negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza. The discussions, beginning at 6:30 p.m. local time, involve delegations from both sides, with Egypt and Qatar acting as mediators. Officials from the mediating countries are holding separate meetings with each party to facilitate dialogue. The talks focus on progressing the first phase of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which seeks conditions for the release of a set number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all Israeli captives. While Hamas has agreed to some elements of the proposal, key issues, especially concerning demilitarization, remain unresolved. Diplomats in the Middle East view the Sharm El-Sheikh talks as a critical step toward resolving the Gaza crisis.