Overview

• An initial round of indirect talks between Hamas and mediators ended with a positive tone, and a second day of sessions has begun in the Egyptian resort under the framework advanced by President Donald Trump.
• The agenda centers on a cease-fire, mechanisms for a full Israeli withdrawal, reciprocal releases of detainees and hostages, and guaranteed UN-facilitated humanitarian access, according to Egyptian statements and participating sources.
• Hamas told mediators that ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza pose a serious obstacle to any hostage releases and insisted on verifiable guarantees for halting military operations and troop pullback.
• Israeli media reports say U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner postponed joining direct sessions, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled no flexibility on disarmament provisions at this stage.
• The stakes are underscored by Gaza’s devastation: at least 67,160 Palestinians killed, direct economic losses estimated near $68–70 billion, and reconstruction needs around $80 billion, according to health authorities and Palestinian estimates.