Delegates arrived in Egypt on Monday to discuss a potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange, marking the latest attempt to halt the genocidal campaign that has ravaged Gaza for nearly three years. The talks, hosted in Sharm el-Sheikh, are based on a U.S.-proposed framework calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the release of captives on both sides. Yet as negotiations begin, the war’s brutality shows no sign of abating.

Khalil al-Hayya, leading the Hamas delegation, made his first public appearance since surviving an Israeli airstrike in Doha last month. His message was stark: the suffering and destruction in Gaza have eclipsed any personal loss. His words came as Gaza’s local authorities reported 93 new air raids within 24 hours, targeting densely populated neighbourhoods and displacement camps, a grim reminder of the fragility of ceasefire diplomacy amid ongoing bombardment.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed that both delegations would participate in talks alongside mediators from Qatar and the United States. Diplomats described the meetings as “technical” yet pivotal, as they seek to translate the ceasefire framework into concrete action. Despite cautious optimism, few in Gaza dare to hope. Each new round of talks has so far failed to stop the bombs, leaving a scarred population to wonder whether peace will ever reach them before the next strike does.