Overview

• Hamas said it accepted a mediator proposal for a 60-day halt that would free roughly half the remaining hostages in exchange for some Palestinian prisoners and a limited Israeli pullback.
• It remains unclear whether Israel has formally received the offer or will approve it, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated positions that include Hamas disarmament and the return of all hostages for the war to end.
• Qatari and Egyptian diplomacy intensified, with Qatar’s prime minister meeting Egypt’s president in Cairo and Egypt’s foreign minister saying a deal could be reached very soon if Israel chooses to proceed.
• Reporting from diplomats and Sky News indicates the outline may envision Gaza overseen by a committee under Palestinian Authority involvement after a truce, a scenario at odds with Netanyahu’s stated preferences.
• Nearly two years of fighting have killed more than 62,000 Palestinians according to Gaza health authorities, the UN warns of extreme hunger, and Israel reports more than 400 troops killed in the campaign.