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Diplomatic teams have touched down in Cairo prior to pivotal talks scheduled for Monday, anticipated to focus on the freeing of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a comprehensive conclusion to the protracted war, while Israeli military operations continued across the Gazan territory, resulting in 63 casualties within the past 24 hours.

Primary Focus of Upcoming Talks

The Egyptian diplomatic corps announced that Monday's negotiations would target the first phase of the former president's proposed peace plan, which centers on the release of the remaining 48 captives held by the Gaza-based organization in return for Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israel's detention facilities.

International Participation

US envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to participate in the talks, according to Israeli media sources, alongside Israeli negotiating team and a Palestinian delegation headed by Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of the organization's political bureau.

"Negotiations in Egypt will be limited to a short period maximum," stated an official spokesperson to the press.

Truce Prospects

The hostage release and prisoner swap would mean an instant halt in combat in Gaza, as stated by Trump. Since Hamas's conditional endorsement of his framework to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza on Friday, the United States, Israel and the militant organization have all stated confidence that a truce is within sight.

The State Department chief, Marco Rubio, characterized the Cairo negotiations as "the nearest we've approached getting all the hostages liberated" during a Sunday interview with ABC. He advised that discussions could still falter over practical challenges, and that detailed arrangements for the captive liberation needed to be finalized.

Long-term Difficulties

Rubio emphasized substantial long-term obstacles in implementing the agreement, especially the creation of a administrative authority to oversee Gaza in place of Hamas. He stressed that the present focus remained the captives' release and securing defense forces retreated to an designated line in Gaza.

The former president's Plan Details

Trump's plan would entail Hamas releasing all captives within 72 hours, surrendering administrative control to a transnational authority headed by the US president, and laying down its arms. In exchange, Israel would systematically pull out its military from Gaza and free more than 1,000 Arab detainees. The agreement would furthermore initiate a flow of relief supplies to Gaza, where certain areas are experiencing food shortages, along with restoration resources.

Pullback Details

On Saturday evening, Trump revealed a chart of Gaza that outlined the initial retreat line for Israeli troops, extending from 1.2 miles (2km) to 4 miles within the territory. He declared that if Hamas accepted the withdrawal line, a ceasefire would start promptly.

Per the conditions of the proposal, defense troops are meant to entirely pull back to a demilitarized zone at the edge of Gaza, although the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has asserted that regardless of any arrangement, forces would continue in most of Gaza.

Global Responses

Positive outlook about a possible truce has expanded globally, with European and American and Arab representatives urging Hamas and the Israeli government to reach a deal. On Sunday, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, contacted Netanyahu and expressed backing for the Trump proposal, characterizing it as "the optimal opportunity for stability," per an government summary.

Government officials have also suggested they expect to declare an termination to the conflict in the next days.

A senior organization representative told Agence France-Presse the group was "very keen to conclude an agreement to conclude the conflict and promptly start the detainee swap process in compliance with the field conditions."

Ultimatums and Ongoing Strikes

Trump warned Hamas with "complete annihilation" if it failed to conclude a deal on Gaza during a television interview. He additionally asserted that Netanyahu was supportive for stopping the military campaign of Gaza.

Regardless of Trump's appeal that the Israeli government stop its military operations and notwithstanding orders for the defense forces to only perform "security actions," it has persisted bombing the Gazan territory. No fewer than eight people were died in individual attacks on Gaza City, while four additional people were shot dead while looking for aid in the southern part of the territory.

"While specific bombings have indeed ceased inside of the Gaza Strip, there's no ceasefire in place at this juncture," stated the government representative.

Casualty Toll

No fewer than 67,139 people have been fatally wounded and approximately 170,000 harmed by the Israeli armed offensive in Gaza, per the Gaza ministry of health, which stated that roughly half of those were vulnerable populations. Israel began the operation in reprisal after an attack by Hamas-led combatants that killed approximately 1,200 people and entailed 251 others being abducted.

Global Assessments

The UN commission of inquiry, numerous human rights groups and the preeminent organization of academic experts have determined that the Israeli government has perpetrated systematic destruction in Gaza. Israeli authorities rejects the allegation and maintains it has only operated in self-defence.