OFFICIALS from Israel and Hamas are meeting in Egypt on Monday to discuss plans for a potential ceasefire in Gaza.
It comes as at least seven Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since dawn, including people who were seeking aid.
The indirect negotiations will take place in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the Israeli delegation, headed by top negotiator Ron Dermer, is set to arrive on Monday.
Hamas’s delegation, headed by Khalil al-Hayyah, arrived on Sunday in Egypt, the group said in a statement.
Negotiations will reportedly focus on the first stage of a ceasefire, including the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces as well as the release of hostages held by the militants in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention.
It comes after Hamas accepted some elements of the US peace plan, which would see Hamas release the remaining 48 hostages – about 20 of whom are believed to be alive – within three days.
Hamas would also give up power and disarm.
As part of the US proposals, former UK prime minister Tony Blair would serve as the "interim leader of Gaza".
The talks in Egypt are expected to move quickly as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they would be “confined to a few days maximum”, though some Hamas officials have warned more time may be needed to locate bodies of hostages buried under rubble.
Israel’s brutal bombardment of Gaza would need to stop for Israeli hostages to be released.
The Israeli military claimed it is mostly carrying out defensive strikes to protect troops, although dozens of Palestinians have been killed since Saturday night when the military made the announcement.
The Israeli military said on Monday that it eliminated “a terrorist cell armed with explosive devices and mortars” that on Sunday intended to attack Israeli soldiers.
It also claimed it destroyed another “terrorist cell” that launched a mortar injuring one soldier, as well as a structure from where an anti-tack missile was launched against Israeli army engineering machinery.
As of Monday morning, Israel has killed at least 67,139 Palestinians, most of them women and children.
