Overview

• Israel’s political leadership ordered the IDF to minimize offensive operations in Gaza City and assume defensive postures, with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir telling forces to prepare for the plan’s first phase.
• President Donald Trump said Israel accepted an initial withdrawal line he proposed and warned Hamas to act quickly or risk losing the deal.
• Negotiations are scheduled to resume Monday in Sharm el‑Sheikh with Israeli and Hamas delegations and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participating.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of hostages within days while stating Israeli forces will remain in depth inside Gaza.
• Despite the directive to scale back, Gaza authorities reported continued strikes and dozens of deaths, as disputes over disarmament, withdrawal sequencing, governance, and prisoner lists remain unresolved.