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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-09 at 08:08
HEADLINES
Ceasefire breakthrough sets 72-hour timeline
High-profile prisoners excluded from first phase
World backs ceasefire pushes humanitarian relief
The time is now 4:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has been announced, guided by United States mediation and coordinated with regional partners, signaling a potential turning point after more than two years of war in Gaza. The agreement’s first phase envisions a sequence of simultaneous steps: Israel would withdraw from Gaza to an agreed line, Israeli hostages held in Gaza would be freed, and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody would be released. The framework specifies that all of these steps be completed within roughly 72 hours of formal approval, setting the stage for a renewed, durable pause in fighting and a path toward reconstruction and relief for civilians on both sides.
Key elements and lines of the agreement
Hamas has begun gathering some of the hostages in safe locations inside the Gaza Strip in anticipation of their transfer to international authorities for release. The arrangement is being described as a staged process that prioritizes the return of Israeli captives, while several high-profile Palestinian prisoners, including Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Sa’adat, Hassan Salameh, and Abbas al-Sayed, are not included in the first phase. This exclusion reflects the ongoing political calculations and negotiations surrounding the larger prisoner exchange.
Israeli security and military posture are closely tied to the ceasefire’s implementation. The Israel Defense Forces have begun adjusting deployment lines in Gaza ahead of the ceasefire’s full implementation, which is expected to unfold in the coming weekend. In parallel, the government and security leadership are preparing to finalize the agreement in the hours ahead, including cabinet discussions planned for late today and a government vote to endorse the terms.
International response and regional dynamics
The announcement drew swift praise and cautious optimism from leaders and organizations around the world. United Nations officials underscored the gravity of the moment, urging full and faithful implementation of the commitments and stressing the importance of humanitarian relief and the longer-term goal of a credible political path. European Union officials called the agreement a significant breakthrough and pledged support for its implementation and for rapid, safe humanitarian assistance to Gaza, with an eye toward eventual reconstruction.
Among national reactions, the United Kingdom’s prime minister expressed profound relief and urged immediate and complete implementation, hailing the potential end to hostilities and the return of hostages. Canada’s prime minister likewise welcomed the development, emphasizing the hope that peace is now within reach and urging all parties to carry out their commitments swiftly. Australia welcomed the first phase and reiterated support for denying Hamas any role in Gaza’s future governance, while Italy signaled readiness to contribute to peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts if international forces are needed. Turkey’s president welcomed the ceasefire discussions and thanked United States leadership for its role in advancing the dialogue. Other leaders and officials around the world highlighted the importance of sustaining relief efforts, avoiding a relapse into conflict, and pursuing a sustainable two-state framework in the longer term.
Regional context and perspectives
In Israel, a broad domestic consensus supports the ceasefire and hostage-release process, though voices from the political right—some ministers associated with the Religious Zionist and Otzma Yehudit blocs—voiced reservations about the terms, arguing for continued and intensified action to ensure that al
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago