Overview

• President Donald Trump said Israel approved an initial withdrawal line shared with Hamas, with a ceasefire and hostage–prisoner exchanges to begin once Hamas confirms.
• Israeli leaders instructed the IDF to halt its Gaza City offensive and operate defensively, while warning Gaza City and areas north of Wadi Gaza remain a dangerous combat zone.
• Despite the shift, strikes continued on Saturday with local medics reporting at least 36 deaths, including an attack in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood that Israel said targeted a Hamas operative.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said negotiators will head to Egypt within days and expressed hope to announce the hostages’ return soon, while signaling forces will keep holding positions and that Hamas must disarm in a later phase.
• U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to Egypt for indirect talks expected as early as Sunday or Monday on implementing the plan’s first phase.