Overview

• Negotiations restarted in Egypt with Egyptian and Qatari mediators working on a package that includes a hostage–prisoner exchange and steps toward a cease-fire.
• The U.S.-promoted plan centers on three pillars: disarming Hamas, removing it from Gaza’s governance, and a phased Israeli withdrawal.
• Israel signals it will not carry out an immediate full pullout from Gaza, complicating prospects for a near-term deal.
• Analysts note the plan’s distinct feature is an international guarantor or panel to verify compliance, with figures such as Tony Blair mentioned as potential leads.
• United Nations–cited figures report more than 67,000 Palestinians killed and large-scale displacement, and experts describe a paradox of Hamas weakened militarily but strengthened politically as Israel faces growing diplomatic isolation.