Cairo: Negotiators are gearing up for a crucial weekend of Gaza ceasefire talks, with Hamas sending delegates to Cairo but not participating directly in the discussions. The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, has devastated Gaza and displaced nearly the entire population, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been working for months to broker a ceasefire, with some progress reported this week. However, the potential permanent presence of Israeli troops along the Gaza-Egypt border remains a major sticking point.

A senior Hamas official confirmed that a delegation is heading to Cairo for updates but will not take part in the negotiations. Hamas demands the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, including the border area with Egypt, known as the Philadelphi Corridor.

The talks are based on a framework proposed by US President Joe Biden, which includes a three-phase plan starting with a hostage exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails, followed by a full six-week ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining troops along the corridor to prevent Hamas from rearming.

Fighting continues in Gaza, with reports of ongoing Israeli artillery fire and airstrikes. The conflict has led to significant casualties on both sides, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza's health ministry, and hundreds of Israelis also lost their lives in the conflict. The situation remains tense as negotiators work to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas and possibly reach a ceasefire agreement.