Overview
- Egypt says it will host indirect talks on Sunday and Monday, with Israeli and Hamas delegations and US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff present to work on an initial exchange.
- Hamas has signaled partial acceptance of the US 20-point plan, stating readiness in principle to free all hostages while conditioning implementation on guarantees and expanded prisoner releases.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent negotiators to clarify technical details, voiced hope hostages could return within days, and said Israeli forces would retain control of strategic areas deep inside Gaza.
- President Trump urged an immediate halt to bombardment and said Israel agreed to a first withdrawal line, though media reported continued Israeli strikes as officials discussed a ceasefire that would trigger exchanges.
- Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul is in Doha and heading to Kuwait to rally Gulf and EU support for the plan, as Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem warned the proposal carries serious risks.