Overview

• Delegations opened indirect talks in Sharm el‑Sheikh on Monday and wrapped a first round that will resume Tuesday, with an Egyptian official saying most first‑phase terms are largely agreed.
• Phase one under the U.S. 20‑point plan centers on freeing 48 remaining hostages — about 20 believed alive — in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees, alongside a partial Israeli withdrawal and a ceasefire.
• Key gaps persist over Hamas disarmament, Gaza’s future administration, and verification and timing, with negotiators warning the proposed 72‑hour window to return all hostages may need a longer, staged timetable.
• Egyptian and Qatari mediators are shuttling between the sides, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to take part, and the ICRC has offered to facilitate transfers.
• Israeli strikes continued despite U.S. calls for a halt, Gaza health authorities reported new deaths and a toll above 67,000, and Israeli leaders face internal pressure even as the IDF signals readiness to resume combat if talks fail.