Hamas said its negotiators arrived in Cairo on Saturday to hear about the latest round of Gaza ceasefire and hostage talks from mediators after the U.N. reported badly worsening humanitarian conditions,

Months of feverish negotiations, in different cities and at multiple levels, have gotten Israel and Hamas closer to striking a ceasefire deal. But even if an agreement is reached – still far from certain – it could end up only lasting only weeks before it collapses and the war in Gaza resumes.

In recent days, the presence of Israeli troops along a narrow corridor in southern Gaza has become one of the most serious issues dividing Hamas and Israel as their cease-fire talks drag.