Daniel Estrin

United Nations officials called the system death traps.

Israeli troops were stationed nearby and Gaza health officials said troops killed hundreds of Palestinians as they approached the sites to get food in recent months.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

It failed, but it was a pivotal moment.

Netanyahu came to the White House shortly after, and President Trump said, I have a peace plan.

I've worked out with Arab countries.

They're on board.

They're going to bring Hamas on board.

You better be on board, too.

We've seen ceasefire efforts fall through again and again.

We've seen how Hamas has fought till the last man, no matter how many civilians were killed and how much Gaza was destroyed.

We have seen Israel's leadership thwart ceasefire efforts repeatedly.

We've seen how prolonged war has served Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival.

And yet, it is incredible for me to say this, but for the first time, people here really are giving themselves permission to hope.

Negotiations begin today in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with high-level mediation by senior officials.

President Trump has sent his envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Qatar's prime minister is also taking part.

And for the first time, so is Turkey's intelligence chief.

Israel and Hamas have senior officials attending.

They don't meet face-to-face, but mediators shuttle between the sides.