Israeli and Hamas officials were in Egypt on Monday for high-stakes negotiations over a US-backed plan to end the Gaza war, even as Israel continued to pummel the enclave with heavy air and artillery strikes.

The two sides converged on this Red Sea resort town for indirect talks after months of deadlock to hash out the details of the plan’s first phase - one that mediators hoped would see a quick halt to the fighting and the rapid release of Israeli hostages, both dead and living, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and a surge in humanitarian aid. Thornier issues such as security and Gaza’s political future would be addressed at a later stage, officials said.

“The administration is working very hard to move the ball forward as quickly as we can,” White House spokeswoman

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