Overview
- Israeli and Hamas delegations opened indirect, Egypt-run talks in Sharm El‑Sheikh, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participating in what the White House called technical discussions.
- Hamas reiterated it is prepared in principle to hand over all hostages, living and dead, contingent on Palestinian prisoner releases and on-the-ground guarantees verified by mediators.
- President Trump said Israel agreed to an initial withdrawal line to enable the first phase of exchanges, and his published map indicates Israeli control would initially persist in areas including Rafah’s corridor and parts of the north.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled Israel will retain responsibility for disarming Gaza and stated no further elements of the plan will proceed before all hostages are returned.
- An Israeli official and mediators cautioned the process will likely take days as parties work through lists, timing, verification and governance issues, even as regional foreign ministers and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi publicly backed the negotiating track.