Egyptian media say a delegation of the Islamic group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Saturday to discuss a deal for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Hamas said in a statement on Friday that its delegates were traveling to Cairo in a "positive spirit." It also said, "We are determined to secure an agreement in a way that fulfils Palestinians' demands."
Reuters news agency reported that CIA Director William Burns arrived in Cairo on Friday. Al Jazeera said a delegation from Qatar, which has brokered the negotiations together with Egypt, was traveling to Cairo to participate in the talks.
But it remains to be seen whether Israel and Hamas will be able to find common ground.
Amid efforts toward a truce deal, Israeli forces continued their offensive in Gaza. Local media said on Saturday that Israel conducted airstrikes across wide areas of the enclave, killing and injuring dozens of people.