Overview
- In an MSNBC interview promoting her book, Kamala Harris declined to say Israel committed genocide, calling the term a legal designation and saying the question is worth asking given civilian deaths and aid limits.
- Hours after the interview aired, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages under a mediated ceasefire that marked the deal’s first phase.
- The ceasefire framework also calls for Hamas to return the remains of deceased captives, with the timetable not yet specified.
- As part of the arrangement, Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and withdrew forces from roughly half of Gaza.
- Harris said she commends Qatar, Egypt and the president for their roles in the process while cautioning against assigning definitive credit.