Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-09 at 11:06

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HEADLINES
Ceasefire enters first phase; hostages near return
Far-right warns over prisoner releases
Global pressure rises for Gaza aid, rebuilding

The time is now 7:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is your 7:00 AM update. A major step toward ending the Gaza war is underway as a US-brokered ceasefire enters its first phase between Israel and Hamas. The deal envisions the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, with the initial phase expected to unfold over the next 72 hours and some hostages anticipated to return to Israel within days, potentially by Monday. In all, roughly 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners are said to be part of the broader exchange, including hundreds convicted of deadly attacks. The arrangement also opens the door to a large humanitarian and reconstruction push for Gaza, with provisions for tents, caravans, and a stepped reopening of the fishing zone, alongside a framework for Gaza’s postwar reconstruction.

On the Israeli side, the cabinet is poised to meet to approve the framework and set out the steps for the prisoner releases and the withdrawal of forces from areas near the Gaza border as security conditions allow. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog have publicly welcomed the development as a historic morning for Israel and the region, emphasizing that the deal advances security aims and offers a pathway to bring hostages home. At the same time, key members of the coalition voiced concern. Some far-right leaders warned that releasing prisoners could enable future violence, while others urged careful handling of the security and demilitarization goals embedded in the agreement. The coming days will test how the framework’s security guarantees hold and whether disarmament milestones can be verified.

Palestinian negotiators and Hamas have been framing the deal in terms of ending the war and fulfilling commitments that would allow for prisoner exchanges and humanitarian relief, while insisting that any longer-term arrangement must reflect a political path for Gaza and Palestinian sovereignty. A senior Hamas official, speaking from abroad, signaled that prisoner exchanges will proceed only after a formal end to the war is declared, a stance consistent with the group’s broader objective of ending the conflict through a comprehensive agreement. Palestinian officials also highlighted humanitarian safeguards, reconstruction timelines, and the reopening of essential services as part of the ceasefire framework.

International reaction to the momentum has been swift and varied. France is hosting foreign ministers from Arab and European states for talks focused on the postwar period and humanitarian support, seeking to shape the day after Gaza’s conflict. Russia issued a cautious welcome, stressing the importance of how the deal is implemented on the ground. In Ireland, political leaders fast-tracked debate over sanctions on Israeli settlements as part of a wider confrontation with how to balance moral concerns with economic and strategic ties to the region. In a broader international vein, Western capitals are watching closely the balance of immediate relief for Gazans with long-term security guarantees for Israel.

Humanitarian and medical planners in Israel and abroad are bracing for the practical realities of returning hostages after more than two years in captivity. Hospitals have been mobilized to receive returnees under strict medical protocols, with special facilities prepared to manage potential refeeding risks after prolonged starvation, and to deliver comprehensive physical and mental health care. A coordinated plan calls for private rooms and family spaces to support reunifications, along with a multidisciplinary medical team to tailor treatment to each individual’s medical

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Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago