Overview

• Indirect talks between Hamas and Israel are underway in Sharm el‑Sheikh with Egypt, Qatar and Turkey mediating and U.S. envoys participating, using President Trump’s 20‑point plan as the framework.
• Financial Times reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted changes on IDF redeployment timing and the Palestinian Authority’s prospective role, prompting concern from Arab interlocutors and renewed haggling over details.
• Russia publicly backed the plan: Maria Zakharova urged full implementation including a ceasefire, detainee releases and restored humanitarian corridors, and Sergey Lavrov called it the best option currently on the table.
• The plan envisions freeing hostages within 72 hours, keeps Hamas out of Gaza’s governance in favor of a technocratic authority under international oversight, and includes steps Israel and Hamas have signaled willingness to take with conditions.
• Parallel moves include Vladimir Putin’s visit to Dushanbe for regional summits and Azerbaijan’s proposal for 2026 joint drills of Turkic states, while Russian officials warn that any U.S. Tomahawk transfers to Ukraine would escalate tensions.