Overview
- U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have arrived for indirect negotiations set to start Monday, with Egypt hosting Israeli and Hamas delegations.
- Hamas signaled conditional acceptance of elements of the U.S. 20‑point plan and said it would release all remaining hostages under the proposed exchange formula.
- Israel says it accepted an initial withdrawal line and shifted to a defensive posture, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sending a team led by Ron Dermer and expressing hope for releases during Sukkot.
- Disarmament remains the key sticking point as Hamas has not committed to demilitarisation and Israel insists it is nonnegotiable, with Israeli officials floating long‑term security control in buffer areas.
- Reports conflict over a bombing pause after Trump urged a halt, with Israeli officials citing reduced fire and Gaza authorities reporting continued strikes and dozens of deaths.