Overview

• A signing in Egypt is expected today after four days of indirect talks led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, with Netanyahu convening his cabinet and the Israeli army preparing to receive hostages while staying ready for all scenarios.
• Hamas is to free 20 living hostages in a single operation within 72 hours of the deal’s implementation in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including roughly 250 serving life sentences.
• The first phase includes an Israeli troop redeployment to an agreed line, and the military says operational adjustments in Gaza are underway without signaling a full withdrawal.
• Humanitarian steps are built into the arrangement, with negotiators citing an initial target of roughly 400 aid trucks per day entering Gaza over the first five days.
• Implementation faces hurdles as Hamas presses for external guarantees to end the war and does not commit to disarmament, Israeli strikes were reported after the announcement, and reactions in Gaza and Israel mixed relief with apprehension.