Overview

• Hamas has expressed willingness to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for a comprehensive prisoner swap, an end to the war, and humanitarian aid access.
• Talks in Cairo have seen Hamas agree to increase the number of hostages it would release, though disagreements over terms persist, including Israel's demand for 10 hostages in an initial phase.
• Israel's renewed military campaign has caused over 1,600 Palestinian deaths since March, exacerbating Gaza's humanitarian crisis with blocked aid and widespread displacement.
• Domestic criticism of Israeli leadership is growing, with ex-Mossad operatives and reservists accusing the government of prioritizing political goals over hostage safety.
• France has proposed reforms to the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza post-war, advocating for disarming Hamas and a two-state solution as part of broader international diplomatic efforts.