Overview

• Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas began on July 6 in Doha under U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediation for a cease-fire and hostage-prisoner exchange.
• The U.S. framework proposes a 60-day Gaza truce in exchange for ten living Israeli hostages and the remains of captives released by Hamas, alongside the liberation of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Trump on July 7 for his third White House visit in six months and has directed Israeli negotiators to secure an agreement under conditions Israel has approved.
• President Trump expressed confidence that a deal could be finalized this week, linking progress in Gaza to his broader Middle East strategy on Iran diplomacy and Arab-Israeli normalization.
• Hamas is pressing for additional guarantees on Israeli troop withdrawals, safeguards against renewed hostilities and a return to U.N.-led humanitarian aid distribution.