Overview

• Israel says the government will meet Thursday to approve the agreement and expects the first releases to begin Saturday.
• Hamas says it handed over lists for the exchange, and a group source indicated living hostages would be freed within 72 hours of Israeli approval.
• The initial phase links a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal to an agreed line, and a hostage‑for‑prisoner swap, though precise sequencing still requires finalization.
• Unresolved issues include verification, Hamas disarmament, and who will administer Gaza after a pullback, creating significant implementation risk.
• Talks in Sharm el-Sheikh involved U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff with Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish counterparts, as the UN urged full compliance and unimpeded aid with Gaza deaths reported above 67,000.