Overview

• The White House announced that both sides signed the first phase, with a formal signing expected in Egypt on Thursday at noon local time, according to Israeli media and Qatari confirmation.
• Reported terms include an immediate ceasefire tied to a phased Israeli pullback from most of Gaza except Rafah and the release of surviving hostages on a set timetable, with some outlets citing Saturday for releases.
• Negotiators exchanged lists for a hostage‑prisoner swap, and Israeli outlets report a veto on freeing Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, with officials calling anyone involved in the October 7 attacks a red line.
• US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff joined Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators in Sharm el‑Sheikh, and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi invited President Trump to attend the signing.
• Fighting has not fully stopped, the IDF reported fresh strikes during talks, and officials say Hamas has provided information or proof of life for roughly 20 of the 48 hostages, with Israel confirming 26 have died in captivity.