Storyline: Delegations from Israel and Hamas began indirect negotiations on Monday in the Egyptian Red Sea coastal city of Sharm El Sheikh, according to Egyptian media. This is the latest effort to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and address key issues including a prisoner exchange and post-war governance. The talks, mediated by Egypt, are expected to focus on core disputes on lasting ceasefire, release of detainees, timeline of Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, humanitarian aid access, future governance and security arrangements of Gaza, and disarmament of Hamas. Palestinian sources familiar with the matter said a Hamas delegation led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya held preparatory meetings with Egyptian intelligence officials. During the discussions, Hamas reportedly requested that Egypt as a mediator provide guarantees and a monitoring mechanism based on the U.S.-proposed 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan. The group expressed concern over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's willingness to adhere to the proposed terms. Following the latest round of talks, the Hamas delegation on Tuesday described the indirect negotiations with Israel as having achieved positive progress. However, the group warned that Israel's continued bombardment in Gaza has posed challenges to the release of Israeli captives. Citing an official brief on the negotiations, The Times of Israel reported on Monday that although Israel and the U.S. have pushed for reaching a deal within days, the talks are unlikely to conclude quickly and an agreement is not imminent. The process, the official noted, is expected to be lengthy. The comments came a day after an Israeli government spokesperson stated that while bombing had paused in some areas of Gaza, a full ceasefire was not yet in place, and the military had shifted to defensive operations in the territory. Netanyahu emphasized on Sunday that other elements of the U.S. proposal would only proceed after all Israeli captives are released. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Monday that securing a Gaza ceasefire, freeing captives and detainees, and launching a political process toward establishing a Palestinian state are steps in the right direction for lasting peace and stability. The indirect talks follow Hamas's recent announcement that it would release all Israeli hostages taken since Oct. 7, 2023, under the U.S. plan. According to Israeli officials, Hamas still holds 48 hostages, including 20 believed to be alive. But Hamas has not addressed other provisions, notably disarmament, which Israel insists is essential for any truce. Monday marks two years since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli military and civilian targets from the Gaza Strip, prompting a large-scale Israeli military offensive in the territory. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the Israeli operation has so far killed 67,160 people in the enclave, nearly a third of them minors. More than 169,000 others have been injured. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on the same day that, on average, 92 Palestinians have been killed daily since the conflict began. The two-year military campaign has led to a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, with a UN agency reporting that over half a million people in Gaza are now facing famine. Shotlist: FILE: Cairo, Egypt - July 24, 2022: 1. Egyptian national flag, building FILE: Cairo, Egypt - April 6, 2019: 2. Egyptian national flag Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt - May 1, 2015: 3. Sea, buildings on shore FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021: 4. National flags of Israel FILE: Israel - Nov 1, 2022: 5. Israeli Parliament Knesset building FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - April 7-8, 2019: 6. City view, national flag of Israel on building Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Sept 26, 2025: 7. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble, smoke rising, residents walking by Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Recent: 8. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble, people clearing rubble 9. Various of displaced people with belongings, vehicles 10. Various of tents, destroyed apartment buildings in background Gaza Strip - Oct 1, 2025: 11. Various of long line of cars packed with belongings on road, crowd of displaced Palestinians walking on road with belongings. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]