Overview

• Negotiators from the US, Israel, Qatar and Turkey, including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Ron Dermer, Ibrahim Kalin and Qatar’s prime minister, arrived to lend political weight to the Egyptian-hosted talks.
• The discussions are anchored in President Trump’s 20-point plan trading a ceasefire, phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas demilitarization and major aid for the release of hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
• Hamas has signaled partial assent and says it is prepared in principle to release the remaining captives, but both sides have made no major concessions and Israeli airstrikes have continued during the talks.
• Key disputes include Hamas’ demand for firm guarantees that attacks cease after any release, the sequencing of steps, and which prisoners would be freed, with reports citing contested names such as Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat.
• Israeli sources say 48 hostages remain in Gaza with about 20 believed alive, as the humanitarian emergency deepens with UN-confirmed famine pockets and proposals under discussion to return aid coordination to the UN from the private GHF.