Overview

• Talks are set in Sharm el-Sheikh with delegations led by Israel’s Ron Dermer and Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, under Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. mediation.
• The opening agenda focuses on technical arrangements for releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, with Hamas saying it is ready in principle to proceed for both the living and the dead.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backs the proposal while insisting Israel retain security roles, tie any steps to the release of all hostages, and pursue Hamas’s disarmament, warning Israel will resume fighting if deadlines lapse.
• President Donald Trump published the 20-point plan and an initial withdrawal map and said Israel agreed to a first pullback that would trigger an immediate cease-fire upon Hamas’s acceptance.
• Regional foreign ministers from eight countries welcomed Hamas’s engagement and urged swift negotiations, even as hardline Israeli ministers threatened to quit the government and major issues—timelines, logistics and disarmament—remain unresolved.