Overview

• Delegations from Israel, Hamas and the United States convened for indirect negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner present and Hamas negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya in attendance.
• The U.S. plan calls for a ceasefire, phased Israeli withdrawal and hostage releases within 72 hours of a deal, with Netanyahu saying he hopes to bring all captives home in the coming days.
• Hamas says it is ready for an immediate hostage–prisoner exchange and has asked mediators to secure a halt to Israeli military activity, a pause in aerial surveillance and a pullback from Gaza City while it stops its own operations.
• Israeli strikes continued over the weekend with dozens reported killed by Gaza’s Civil Defence, and Israeli officials say forces control about 75% of the territory as roughly 900,000 residents have left Gaza City.
• Core disputes persist over the plan’s requirement for Hamas disarmament and exile, with Netanyahu vowing disarmament by agreement or force and Israel’s army chief warning combat will resume if talks fail.