In the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages in Gaza, Israel and Hamas are engaged in intense discussions with disagreements over the implementation process, according to two Egyptian sources. The talks come as US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is scheduled to visit Israel this week.

Mossad Chief David Barnea recently held a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Europe, with speculation about a second meeting between them. Qatar, along with Egypt, is working to mediate a deal for the return of more than 120 hostages still being held in Gaza.

However, despite both parties being open to a hostage deal, significant differences remain. Hamas is demanding the freedom to set the list of hostages to be released unilaterally, along with the condition that Israeli forces withdraw behind predetermined lines. On the other hand, Israel agrees to Hamas setting the list but insists on a timeline and reviewing the list before agreeing to the time and duration of the ceasefire. Israel, however, refuses to withdraw its forces.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government face mounting pressure to secure the release of all hostages, while Hamas maintains that any deal must include an agreement to end the Israeli Defense Forces' military campaign in Gaza.

The proposed hostage deal is anticipated to be more complex than the previous one in November, which primarily focused on the release of women, children, and foreigners. Reports suggest that it may involve the release of Palestinian prisoners responsible for past terrorist attacks against Israelis.

To facilitate the negotiation process and in coordination with the United States, Israel has agreed to open its main commercial crossing, Kerem Shalom, for humanitarian aid for the first time since the conflict started. Col. Moshe Tetro of COGAT's Coordination and Liaison Administration to Gaza has expressed Israel's commitment to work with partners in providing aid to the people of Gaza, emphasizing that their conflict is with Hamas, not the civilians.

The United Nations Security Council is set to discuss a resolution calling for the opening of all land, air, and sea routes into Gaza, as well as establishing a monitoring mechanism for goods entering the region. The resolution also calls for the release of the hostages and a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, during her visit to Israel, has appealed for a humanitarian pause in the fighting, with hopes that it will lead to a permanent ceasefire.

In a separate development, Pope Francis has once again condemned the violence in Gaza, suggesting that Israel is using "terrorism" tactics. He decried the reported killing by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of two Christian women seeking refuge in a church complex. The incident is under review by the Foreign Ministry.

The situation in Gaza remains tense as both Israel and Hamas strive to find solutions that address their concerns and bring about a resolution to the crisis. The ongoing negotiations and international involvement indicate the urgency and complexity of the situation at hand.