Overview

• Israel’s political leadership directed IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to prepare the plan’s first phase and shift operations in Gaza to a defensive posture.
• President Trump said Israel accepted an initial withdrawal line and warned Hamas to act quickly, praising a temporary halt to bombardments.
• Egypt confirmed talks will start Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh with Israeli and Hamas delegations and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
• Despite the slowdown, Gaza authorities reported continued strikes with dozens of civilian deaths, and Israel kept Gaza City designated as an active combat zone.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is close to an agreement and hopes to announce hostage releases soon, yet unresolved issues on disarmament, withdrawal lines, governance, and Hamas divisions leave the outcome uncertain.