The focus has shifted to negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and hostage exchange in Gaza. Israel has expressed a possibility of suspending its invasion of Rafah if an agreement is reached. The Arab Six-Party Group, consisting of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, and Qatar, met in Riyadh to emphasize the need to end the war in Gaza and implement an immediate ceasefire.
The meeting was chaired by Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and attended by key officials from each country. They highlighted the importance of implementing the two-state solution, recognizing the State of Palestine, and rejecting any attempts to displace Palestinians or conduct military operations in Rafah. They also warned against illegal Israeli measures in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz mentioned a potential postponement of the incursion into Rafah if an agreement is reached for the release of Israeli prisoners. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi urged for an immediate ceasefire and prisoner exchange while progress has been made in aligning views between Egypt and Israel on a truce agreement for Gaza.
Families of Israeli detainees in Gaza have called for an end to the war and prisoner exchange rather than a military operation in Rafah. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has postponed his visit to Israel to facilitate ongoing negotiations with regional and international parties involved in finding a comprehensive agreement on ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and humanitarian aid in Gaza.