Overview

• President Donald Trump announced that both sides accepted the plan’s first phase, Qatar confirmed the understanding, Hamas issued its own statement on a ceasefire and exchanges, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will convene the cabinet to approve the deal.
• Indirect talks in Sharm el‑Sheikh are mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States with Turkish participation, and Hamas transmitted prisoner exchange lists during the negotiations.
• Phase one links the release of all remaining hostages to an Israeli military pullback to an agreed line and large-scale Palestinian prisoner releases, with reported figures of about 250 lifers and roughly 1,700 others.
• Implementation remains uncertain as Hamas seeks guarantees that hostilities will halt after the initial releases, Israeli strikes in Gaza continue, and issues such as disarmament, timelines and international oversight are unresolved.
• Trump said he may travel to the region this weekend if progress continues, and European and Arab foreign ministers plan to meet in Paris to coordinate next steps on the plan.