Overview

• Defense Minister Israel Katz approved a plan to seize Gaza City and authorized the call-up of about 60,000 reservists as the military prepares a new phase of operations.
• Egypt and Qatar say Hamas agreed to a framework closely aligned with US envoy Steve Witkoff’s plan for a temporary pause tied to staged hostage returns.
• The proposal envisions releasing 10 living and 18 deceased hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, partial Israeli redeployment and expanded UN-led aid access.
• Israel maintains it will accept only a deal that returns all remaining hostages at once and has not yet issued a formal response to mediators.
• Ground fighting and strikes continue as Gaza’s reported death toll passes 62,000, and mass protests in Israel intensify pressure for a hostage deal.