Overview
- Benjamin Netanyahu said he will meet President Donald Trump later this month and expects to move to phase two once Hamas returns the remains of the last hostage, Ran Gvili.
- Qatar’s prime minister said the current lull is merely a pause and that a ceasefire requires full Israeli withdrawal and restored freedom of movement in Gaza.
- Phase two under the US-backed plan envisions further Israeli pullback, a technocratic interim Palestinian administration, and deployment of an international stabilization force.
- Gaza health authorities report more than 350 Palestinians killed since October 10 despite the truce, while Egypt and other states rejected an Israel-backed idea to open Rafah only for departures.
- Uncertainty persists over the makeup and mandate of the stabilization force, with Turkey expressing willingness to join and Israel opposing Turkish participation as some ministers urge rapid deployment.