Turkish, Egyptian, and Qatari officials convened in Cairo to advance the second stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. The meeting aimed to address violations and facilitate the deployment of an international stabilization force, along with measures to disarm Hamas. Despite accusations from both sides, mediators remain committed to the deal’s progress.
Israel has repatriated the remains of one of its hostages, Dror Or, following the first phase of exchanges, while two hostages remain in Gaza, including a Thai national. Hamas has pledged to return them but has’t specified a timeline. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated that Dror and Yonat Or were murdered by terrorists during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, saving their children. Two of their children, Noam and Alma, were released in the first hostage exchange, two years before their father’s remains returned.