TEL AVIV, Israel () — Officials from Israel, Hamas and the U.S. are meeting in Egypt on Monday for indirect negotiations on a peace plan for Gaza on the eve of the war’s second anniversary.

President Donald Trump is urging both sides to reach an agreement and quickly bring an end to the conflict. Talks are currently underway in Cairo and include U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said top negotiator Ron Dermer will return to Israel on Monday for consultations.

Negotiations focus on hostages, Gaza’s future

Negotiations are divided into stages. The first centers on the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention.

Demonstrations have continued for days in Israel, with families demanding the return of the 48 people still captive. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described these discussions as highly technical and logistical.

This latest push for peace comes after Hamas accepted some elements of the U.S. peace plan, a move welcomed by Trump. Israel has said it supported the new U.S. effort. Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages about 20 believed to be alive within three days.

The second and more complex stage will focus on governance in Gaza and the demilitarization of Hamas. Trump has made clear that Hamas will not be allowed to control Gaza once the war ends, warning the group will be “destroyed” if it tries.

Senior National Security Contributor Lt. Gen. Richard Newton said he’s “very cautiously optimistic” a deal can be reached soon, but less hopeful about the longer-term challenge of governing Gaza.

“There’s still a long way to go, but first and foremost, it’s about bringing those hostages home,” he told “Morning in America” on Monday.

Hope for new life in Gaza

The negotiations come as Israel prepares to mark two years since Hamas-led militants attacked on October 7, 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 others. Most hostages have since been freed through ceasefire deals.

Gaza’s health ministry said Monday that 67,160 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. The ministry, part of Hamas’ government but widely considered a reliable source by the U.N. and independent experts, says women and children make up about half of the dead.

Palestinians in Gaza hope that babies born on the day the Israel-Hamas war began will be able to celebrate their second birthday to the sound of laughter and cheers instead of the cacophony of bombs, missiles and bullets.

Rola Saqer said the two years since giving birth to her daughter Masa have been full of suffering and misery. He said she was scared for Maza, who is weak and malnourished. Saqer and her husband, Mohammed Zaqout, live in a sparsely furnished tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

It’s much the same for Amal al-Taweel and her husband, Mostafa, who had their son Ali after three years of trying for a child. Now living in a tent inside an alley, Amal said Ali is being deprived of proper sanitation, food, vaccinations and even toys.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.