Overview

• Formal negotiations begin in Sharm el‑Sheikh with Israeli and Hamas delegations and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner involved, according to Egyptian officials.
• President Trump says Israel accepted an initial withdrawal line and that a ceasefire and exchanges would start once Hamas confirms.
• Talks prioritize the logistics and timing for returning 48 hostages, about 20 believed alive, in exchange for 250 life‑sentenced prisoners and roughly 1,700 detainees held since October 7.
• Israeli forces have shifted to a defensive posture rather than a formal ceasefire, with Gaza City still designated a dangerous combat zone and sporadic strikes reported.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists all hostages, alive and dead, must be returned before Israel moves to other plan elements, as disputes persist over Hamas disarmament, Gaza’s governance, and troop withdrawal.