Overview

• Israel says its negotiators depart today for Egypt, with talks scheduled to begin Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Hamas will be led by Khalil al-Hayya.
• Trump asserts Israel accepted an initial withdrawal line and says a ceasefire and a hostage-prisoner exchange would start once Hamas confirms, warning Hamas of "complete destruction" if it refuses to cede power.
• The IDF has shifted to a defensive posture, yet Gaza City remains a declared combat zone and strikes are still reported, including deaths cited by Hamas civil defense and new incidents near Rafah and in Tuffah.
• Reported Hamas asks for the talks include a full ceasefire, an IDF pullback to earlier positions, limited suspensions of air operations during negotiations, and involvement of Palestinian authorities in governance discussions.
• Officials and media accounts describe splits between Hamas’s political leaders abroad and commanders in Gaza, with some sources saying hostages could be released within days if talks advance smoothly.