Overview

• Israel’s prime minister endorsed the U.S. proposal but reiterated opposition to a Palestinian state and said the army would stay across most of Gaza, with no Palestinian Authority role without major changes.
• The U.S. plan lays out a phased Israeli pullback tied to Hamas disarmament steps, a 72‑hour mechanism to return all hostages once the deal is accepted, and transitional civilian administration under an international peace council that includes technocrats and figures such as Tony Blair.
• U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries conveyed an initial positive response from Hamas, with a fuller reply expected after the group reviews the proposal in good faith.
• Behind the scenes, Netanyahu secured changes linking any withdrawal to progress on demilitarizing Hamas and giving Israel effective veto power, with forces able to remain in a defined security perimeter until threats are judged contained, according to Axios.
• Hostilities continued as Palestinian medical sources reported at least 22 killed in ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza, and the Israeli military said it killed two Hezbollah commanders in a strike in southern Lebanon.