Overview

• The U.S. State Department said it has reliable information that Hamas is preparing an attack on Gaza civilians that would violate the ceasefire, warning that measures could follow to protect the population and preserve the truce.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Rafah crossing to remain closed until Hamas fulfills obligations on returning deceased hostages, a move Hamas called a breach of the deal that it says will delay body recovery operations.
• The Red Cross retrieved two coffins with presumed hostage remains from Hamas for transfer to Israeli forces, with identification to be conducted at the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv.
• Israeli media reported a truce breach at Rafah involving gunfire on an IDF engineering vehicle and subsequent Israeli airstrikes, with officials assessing the response as the ceasefire shows signs of strain.
• Plans for an International Stabilization Force are being discussed with Egypt likely to lead and Azerbaijan offering troops, while Hamas asserts it will retain security control in Gaza and refuses immediate disarmament as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance prepares to visit Israel.