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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-09 at 10:06
HEADLINES
- Ceasefire blueprint set hostages to be freed
- Israel bars release of Hamas Nukhba operatives
- Global mediators rally around Gaza ceasefire plan
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. A day after the United States brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the ceasefire in Gaza has been set on a defined timetable with a path toward the return of hostages and a significant moment for regional diplomacy. The agreement reached in Sharm el-Sheikh envisions a Gaza ceasefire beginning at noon today, with all living hostages to be released in the first phase within about 72 hours. In parallel, a framework exists for prisoner exchanges and humanitarian relief, with mediators and international partners watching closely as the first steps are taken.
In the first wave of moves, Israel has made clear that it will not release the Hamas Nukhba Force terrorists who took part in the October 7 massacre. The first phase of the plan will include the release of a substantial number of hostages, but not all of the most senior operational figures Hamas has long sought. Four high-profile Palestinian prisoners—Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Sa’adat, Hassan Salameh, and Abbas al-Sayed—are explicitly excluded from this initial phase. The arrangement also foresees the opening of multiple crossing points to deliver humanitarian aid and to support reconstruction in Gaza, with international monitoring to ensure compliance.
On the ground, Israel’s security posture is adjusting in advance of the ceasefire, with the IDF moving to recalibrate deployment lines in Gaza and maintain readiness as the framework’s elements are implemented. Israeli officials have underscored that while the goal is to bring hostages home, the state must be prepared to confront any renewed threat and to ensure that Hamas’s capabilities do not reconstitute along the border. In the meantime, Israeli forces remain vigilant along the coastal region as naval and ground elements align with the ceasefire’s phased rollout.
Politics inside Israel reflect a mixture of cautious optimism and domestic fault lines. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior ministers have publicly welcomed the development as a “great day for Israel,” emphasizing the importance of rescuing hostages and restoring a sense of security for the country. Yet a number of coalition partners have voiced concerns. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leading a far-right faction, said he would oppose the deal in its current form, warning that releasing prisoners could fuel new rounds of violence. Other ministers offered measured praise and signaled that their support would depend on the guarantees embedded in the final terms. Opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid, have hailed the agreement as a significant step toward ending the war and have urged presidential attention from Washington while highlighting the necessity of implementing the framework fully, including demilitarization of Gaza and disarmament of Hamas.
Internationally, the accord drew swift reactions across capitals. France hosted foreign ministers from Arab and European states for talks aimed at shaping the postwar order and ensuring continued humanitarian support for the Palestinian population. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called the moment historic, describing it as the triumph of the will for peace over the logic of war, and underscored the central role of mediation under the auspices of Egypt, Qatar and the United States. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised Trump’s diplomacy and the broader mediation effort, while Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced satisfaction with the ceasefire and pledged to oversee its faithful implementation.
From the Palestinian side, a mix of reaction emerged. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed th
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago