All eyes are on Egypt as indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel on the war in Gaza are set to begin on Monday, with the US and Israel pushing for the swift release of hostages.
The talks come after Hamas agreed to some parts of a 20-point US peace plan, including releasing hostages and handing over Gaza governance to Palestinian technocrats, but is seeking negotiations on other issues.
The group's response did not mention the key demands of its disarmament and playing no future role in Gaza's governance.
Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes continued in Gaza, despite President Donald Trump telling Israel to immediately stop the bombing on Friday after Hamas responded to the proposed plan.
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian told reporters on Sunday that while certain bombings have actually stopped inside of the Gaza Strip, there's no ceasefire in place at this point in time. Reports from Gaza say Israel continued air strikes and tank fire overnight and into Sunday, destroying a number of residential buildings in Gaza City.
A BBC correspondent heard explosions from inside Gaza and saw a plume of smoke while near the border in Kibbutz Be'eri, Israel, on Sunday morning.
Another 65 people were killed by Israeli military operations in the 24 hours leading up to midday, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the need for a cessation of bombing to facilitate any hostage releases, underlining the urgency of the talks.
The 20-point plan proposes an immediate end to fighting and the release of 48 hostages, only 20 of whom are thought to be alive, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.
These negotiations, taking place amid ongoing violence, represent a crucial attempt to pave the way for peace in a region fraught with conflict. Analysts note that Hamas' unexpected approach suggests pressure from international mediators, but the path forward remains uncertain.
As negotiations commence, the international community holds hope for a resolution that might finally bring relief to the suffering population of Gaza.