Overview
- Financial Times reports that the U.S. and other mediators are urging Israel to grant safe passage for about 150 Hamas fighters trapped under Israeli-controlled southern Gaza in exchange for surrendering their weapons.
- U.S. envoy Steven Witkoff discussed the proposal with Israel’s Ron Dermer and Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, describing the outcome as a test for broader efforts to disarm Hamas.
- Israel initially leaned toward approval before far-right coalition figures, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, openly opposed allowing fighters to exit even if disarmed, according to the reporting.
- Istanbul prosecutors obtained arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on genocide and crimes-against-humanity charges, with a judge citing Gaza strikes and evidence tied to the ‘Sumud’ flotilla case.
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Turkish warrants as a political publicity move, while Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they would transfer another hostage’s body to the ICRC as Israel identified Lior Rudaeff, bringing confirmed remains to 23 of 28.