Israel Sends Delegation as Hamas Collects Bodies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered an Israeli delegation led by Minister Ron Dermer to depart as soon as tomorrow for negotiations in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Hamas has begun collecting the bodies of Israeli hostages across Gaza and has asked Israel to halt airstrikes to allow recovery; the group says living hostages could be returned within 72 hours while remains may take longer, though these reports remain unconfirmed. Hamas officials say they received U.S. assurances via Qatar, have offered to hand over weapons to a Palestinian–Egyptian body under international supervision, and may tie the fate of leaders to broader agreements. In Cairo talks Hamas is expected to demand a full halt to Israeli military operations, withdrawal of IDF forces to positions from the previous January deal, suspension of air and drone activity for specified windows (ten hours daily, twelve on exchange days), and prisoner releases by seniority and age; negotiations could last a week or more. Hostage families in Jerusalem are mobilizing to press for rapid implementation and have publicly urged continued international pressure; key claims remain unverified and the outcome will depend on U.S. mediation and the negotiating exchanges in Sharm El Sheikh.