Overview

• Delegations from Israel and Hamas convened in Egypt for Egyptian-mediated negotiations under President Trump's 20-point proposal, with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff present.
• Israel has accepted the plan, while Hamas signaled willingness to free all remaining captives at once but seeks further negotiation on terms beyond the initial exchange.
• A first phase under discussion would trade 48 Israeli hostages—about 20 believed alive—for roughly 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, including around 250 serving life sentences.
• U.S. officials emphasized urgency, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying about 90% of the agreement is done and Trump predicting releases "very soon," as Israeli strikes continued with at least 19 deaths reported Sunday and Gaza's health ministry citing over 67,000 killed since 2023.
• Key sticking points include Hamas disarmament, the extent of Israeli troop withdrawals, a technocratic interim administration, and the role of an international stabilization force.