Overview

• President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu held consecutive White House meetings aimed at securing a 60-day truce in Gaza in exchange for 10 live hostages and nine bodies held by Hamas.
• US special envoy Steve Witkoff said negotiators have reduced their differences to one key issue, expressing hope a temporary ceasefire deal could be concluded this week.
• Israel’s defence minister directed the military to prepare a “humanitarian city” in Rafah to concentrate Gaza residents, prompting UN legal alerts over potential forcible displacement.
• Israeli leaders reiterated that any pause in fighting must be accompanied by the dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing structures.
• Ongoing Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 Palestinians on Wednesday, underscoring urgent concerns over civilian protection and humanitarian access.