Overview
- U.S.-brokered talks broke down after Hamas agreed to a 60–70 day truce that conflicted with the 45–60 day proposal from Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.
- Palestinian-American academic Bishara Bahbah has served as an unofficial conduit for U.S.-Hamas dialogue following direct contact from Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad.
- The Israel Defense Forces have intensified operations, completing Rafah objectives and creating a new “Morag Corridor” as they move into Khan Younis.
- Former President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s extended Gaza campaign and pushed for a swift end to hostilities.
- Hamas has called for worldwide mobilization and “days of global rage” to protest what it calls a campaign of genocide and starvation in Gaza.