Overview
- Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas are very shortly expected to enter phase two once Hamas returns the remains of Ran Gvili, adding the next stage could begin by the end of the month.
- Qatar’s prime minister called the talks a critical moment and said a full ceasefire requires a complete Israeli withdrawal, while Egypt urged rapid deployment of an International Stabilization Force.
- Core elements of phase two remain under negotiation, including the ISF’s contributors, mandate and rules of engagement; Turkey’s foreign minister said thousands of operational details are still unresolved.
- Despite the truce, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 350–370 Palestinians killed since October, aid deliveries remain below agreed levels, and Israel says Rafah will not reopen in both directions until Gvili’s remains are returned.
- U.S. officials have told reporters the White House hopes to announce phase two before Christmas, Netanyahu plans to meet President Trump this month, and reporting says a Trump-led international board would oversee a temporary Palestinian administration.