U.S.-Backed Ceasefire Framework Seeks Hostage Swap

President Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff led U.S.-backed negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh and then presented a tentative ceasefire framework to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet, which moved to vote on the proposal. The agreement envisions a first-phase pause in fighting and a prisoner exchange that would free roughly 20 surviving Israeli hostages together about 72 hours after the ceasefire takes hold. Of the 47 Israelis taken on Oct. 7, at least 25 are reported dead. In return, Israel would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners — including about 250 serving long terms and roughly 1,700 detained since the war began — with negotiators noting a last-minute switch to free 11 Hamas-affiliated inmates instead of 11 Fatah prisoners. Families expressed cautious optimism after Trump phoned relatives, but U.S. officials and mediators warned the framework remains fragile and key issues such as Hamas disarmament, guarantees against renewed fighting and Gaza’s future governance remain unresolved.