Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-09 at 01:07

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HEADLINES
Gaza ceasefire first phase to release hostages
Trump hails Gaza deal as milestone
Iran cuts four zeros from currency

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. At nine o’clock in the evening, the first phase of a negotiated Gaza ceasefire brokered with American help and mediated by Egypt, Qatar and Turkey appears to be moving toward implementation. Israel and Hamas have formally endorsed the initial phase of what is described as a multi stage plan aimed at ending the Gaza War that began in October of two years ago. The agreement centers on the release of living hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, followed by further steps as the broader framework unfolds.

Under the terms currently described, all living hostages would be released within the next 72 hours, with the remains of hostages who have died in Gaza to be returned in parallel but separate processes. In exchange, Hamas would secure the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Roughly 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza, including women and children, are expected to be freed, and about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life terms in Israeli jails are to be released. For each hostage released by Hamas, Israel would release a corresponding group of Palestinian prisoners. The formula also calls for a halt to combat activities and a phased Israeli withdrawal, with the initial withdrawal focused on a defined portion of the Gaza Strip and a gradual approach to map a longer-term realignment.

Egyptian sources and regional mediators say Rafah crossing will reopen for movement in both directions, and they indicate that about 400 aid trucks would enter Gaza daily during the first five days of the ceasefire. The parties have stressed that humanitarian access should flow without impediment and that aid is to be prioritized for civilians caught in the conflict.

In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the development, saying, with God’s help, Israel will bring all the hostages home. He signaled that the government will be convened to ratify the first phase of the agreement and to formalize steps tied to the hostage release, while indicating that negotiations on subsequent phases would proceed in a structured process. Netanyahu’s office and aides emphasized that this first milestone represents a diplomatic and national achievement, and that Israel will maintain a security posture appropriate to its citizens and to the responsibilities of safeguarding its territory.

In Washington, President Donald Trump hailed the deal as a milestone and told reporters that all hostages would be freed soon, calling the moment a great day for the world. He said the parties had come together in a manner that showed broad international cooperation, and he thanked the mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for their roles. He also invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to address the Knesset during his upcoming visit to the region, a gesture Netanyahu accepted in a personal call after the agreement was announced.

Israeli officials say the cabinet will meet on Thursday to ratify the first phase of the agreement. They caution that the next steps will require careful coordination, and that the government will address additional phases only after the initial exchange and withdrawal are completed. The discussions in Sharm el Sheikh were described as intense but productive, with both sides signaling a willingness to proceed step by step toward a lasting settlement and a durable ceasefire.

Hamas issued a statement saying it had reached an accord that would end the war, withdraw Israeli forces, guarantee humanitarian aid to Gaza, and enable the release of Palestinian prisoners, including prisoners held for long terms. The group thanked the

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Published on 4 weeks ago