Delegations from Israel, the United States, and Hamas will meet in Egypt on Monday. They aim to negotiate a hostage release agreement and work toward peace in Gaza. An Israeli government spokesperson confirmed the talks would start Monday morning.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later stated the Israeli delegation would depart early Monday. The negotiations will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, a coastal resort town in Egypt.
Conflicting reports about the start date emerged since talks were confirmed on Saturday. Israel's team includes Netanyahu's top advisor Ron Dermer. Intelligence, security, and military officials will join him.
These talks follow months of indirect negotiations through mediators. Both sides face mounting international pressure to resolve the hostage crisis. The choice of Egypt as mediator reflects its longstanding role in Middle East diplomacy.
Will this round of talks yield concrete results after previous failures? The inclusion of senior US officials suggests Washington sees potential for progress.