Overview

• Negotiators exchanged names for a hostage‑for‑prisoner swap, with mediators saying an agreement could come within days and initial releases potentially starting next week.
• Israeli media report a firm veto on freeing Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat and Hamas Nukhba militants convicted over the October 7 attacks.
• U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined the talks as Qatar presses for strong written guarantees on Israeli obligations, while foreign ministers in Paris discuss post‑ceasefire stabilization plans tied to the U.S. framework.
• Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi invited President Donald Trump to a potential signing in Cairo, and Israeli officials are preparing for that possibility as the White House signals no travel is planned for now.
• Fighting continues with new Israeli raids reported in Gaza, as Gaza’s Health Ministry cites fresh casualties and UNICEF’s chief highlights tens of thousands of children killed or maimed.