Overview

• President Trump announced the parties accepted the initial phase, with Qatar and Egypt confirming the deal after talks in Egypt that included U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
• The framework’s first step calls for freeing all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli troop pullback to an agreed line, and increased aid flows into Gaza.
• Israel estimates 48 hostages remain in Gaza, about 20 believed alive, with the U.S. proposal aiming for releases within 72 hours and some outlets citing potential initial handovers this weekend.
• Negotiators are working off parameters that include roughly 250 prisoners serving life sentences and about 1,700 Gazans detained since the war began, while procedures for returning remains remain unresolved.
• Key implementation issues persist, including Israeli government approval expected Thursday, definition of the withdrawal line, verification mechanisms, and Hamas’s stance on disarmament.