Daniel Estrin

Both sides are voicing optimism.

Hamas officials say they seek guarantees from the U.S.

and other countries that if they release Israeli hostages, that will put a final end to the war.

Hamas has presented its list of Palestinian prisoners it wants Israel to release in exchange.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Egypt's foreign ministers, as talks in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh continue, involving Israeli and Hamas officials.

He says the aim is to negotiate the first phase of the deal, including an Israeli troop redeployment to allow for the release of hostages.

delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

U.S.

Envoy Steve Witkoff tells NPR he will join the talks in Egypt tomorrow.

A Qatari government spokesman says mediators also want to work out the details of an international peacekeeping force deploying in Gaza.

A person in the region close to the talks, not authorized to speak publicly, tells NPR a breakthrough is likely within a week or two.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

The new food program in Gaza is backed by the U.S. and Israel. It's meant to replace aid distributed by the United Nations and to isolate Hamas. But hunger remains severe in Gaza. In the last two weeks, Gaza health officials say more than 100 people have been killed trying to access these food sites. The Israeli military warned civilians not to approach the sites before opening hours.

The new food program in Gaza is backed by the U.S. and Israel. It's meant to replace aid distributed by the United Nations and to isolate Hamas. But hunger remains severe in Gaza. In the last two weeks, Gaza health officials say more than 100 people have been killed trying to access these food sites. The Israeli military warned civilians not to approach the sites before opening hours.

but the food sites have had erratic opening hours. One site announced an early opening and crowds gathered early at another site. Military officials say troops fired warning shots a distance away from two aid sites Sunday as suspects approached troops. Gaza health officials report more than 100 people killed in Israeli strikes this weekend. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

but the food sites have had erratic opening hours. One site announced an early opening and crowds gathered early at another site. Military officials say troops fired warning shots a distance away from two aid sites Sunday as suspects approached troops. Gaza health officials report more than 100 people killed in Israeli strikes this weekend. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

They want guarantees up front that Israel will not do what it did last time in the last ceasefire earlier this year, which is to get hostages back and then not enter talks on how to bring a permanent end to the war. So what Hamas wants is to spread out the release of hostages this time and

They want guarantees up front that Israel will not do what it did last time in the last ceasefire earlier this year, which is to get hostages back and then not enter talks on how to bring a permanent end to the war. So what Hamas wants is to spread out the release of hostages this time and

They want guarantees up front that Israel will not do what it did last time in the last ceasefire earlier this year, which is to get hostages back and then not enter talks on how to bring a permanent end to the war. So what Hamas wants is to spread out the release of hostages this time and