Diplomats from Egypt, Qatar and the United States met in Cairo late Sunday to try to restart stalled negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire. The talks come as Israeli military operations continue in Rafah, keeping pressure on a process that has repeatedly failed to produce a lasting deal.

The renewed diplomatic push reflects urgent concerns over the humanitarian toll in southern Gaza, where civilians remain trapped by the fighting and displacement. Mediators are seeking a framework that could pause the violence, secure the release of hostages, and open the door to expanded aid access.

Despite the new round of meetings, major gaps remain between the sides. Previous efforts have faltered over the terms of any truce, the scope of prisoner exchanges, and the future of Israeli operations in the enclave. For now, the Cairo talks represent another attempt to narrow those differences while the conflict on the ground continues.

The situation in Rafah underscores the fragility of the negotiations and the high civilian cost of the war. Any progress will likely depend on pressure from regional and international mediators, as well as whether both sides are willing to accept compromises that have so far proven elusive.