With negotiations for a hostage deal in Egypt and plans to enter Rafah underway, US President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will hold a phone conversation that may decide the coming stages of the war later in the day. According to Yaron Avraham of N12 News, the exact time of the conversation has yet to be determined.
The US is pressuring Israel to reach a hostage deal that would prevent IDF entry into the southern city despite ongoing talks of preparations for an attack. Egypt, for its part, is working to promote a humanitarian agreement that will stop the operation before it has even begun and lead to a comprehensive agreement that would end the war.
According to reports, the Egyptian proposal was approved in Israel and handed over to Sinwar, who is expected to return an initial answer within the coming 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the IDF is making final preparations for a ground offensive in Rafah after the US has provided the green light for the evacuation of local residents. An approval for the operation itself has not yet been granted by the Americans.