Overview

• Hamas has "basically" accepted the framework for releasing hostages, with logistics meetings underway and Cairo talks set for Monday involving U.S., Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
• The first phase calls for releasing all 48 remaining hostages — 20 believed alive and 28 deceased — within roughly 72 hours of an agreement in exchange for Israel pulling back to the "yellow line" and freeing Palestinian prisoners reported as 250 serving life terms plus 1,700 detainees.
• Israel has dispatched a delegation and agreed to pause offensive operations to enable safe exchanges, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to finalize technical details within a few days.
• President Trump has set a short deadline and warned of a harsher military response if Hamas fails to comply, while urging an immediate halt to bombing to facilitate the release.
• A second phase envisions Gaza administered by non-Hamas Palestinian technocrats under international oversight and the disarmament of militant groups, which Rubio cautions will be difficult and take time.