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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-09 at 14:06
HEADLINES
- Two Phase Ceasefire Unveiled Disarmament Sparks Debate
- Hostages Set for Release Senior Prisoner Talks
- Mediators Build Gaza Deal Regional Reactions Vary
The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is your 10:00 AM update. A United States brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas announced in Sharm el-Sheikh is moving into its opening phase, with mediators in Egypt and Qatar and allied partners guiding the process. The plan is laid out in two phases. Phase A envisions the release of living hostages and the return of some remains in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, an end to the war, and a partial Israeli withdrawal to what has been described as the yellow line. The ceasefire is set to take effect within 24 hours of the Israeli government’s approval, with Israel retaining control of roughly half the Gaza Strip after the withdrawal, according to the first stage of the agreement.
Phase B would shift focus to disarming armed groups in Gaza, establishing a new governing authority there, deploying an international security presence if agreed, and continuing the Israeli withdrawal. But fundamental disagreements remain, particularly over the disarmament clause. Egypt has suggested Hamas is willing to relocate or transfer rockets, while Hamas’ overseas leadership has signaled it would maintain its weaponry until a Palestinian state is established and the occupation ends. At the heart of the negotiations is a question of how far any disarmament would go and who would oversee it.
A multinational task force is to be formed to locate the bodies of abducted Israelis and to recover living hostages. The force is expected to include Israel, the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, reflecting the breadth of mediation efforts that shaped the deal in Sharm el-Sheikh. There is recognition from Hamas and mediators that locating every body may prove difficult, and some dead hostages may remain unrecovered, even as living hostages are returned.
On the hostage issue, Hamas has indicated it will not release captives if the war does not end; Israeli officials say the deal includes the potential release of a number of senior prisoners, a point of contention inside Israel. Among those discussed are six senior prisoners from different groups, including figures associated with Fatah and Hamas, a list that Israel has indicated it does not intend to see released in full as part of the initial phase. Final prisoner lists and who will be released remain subjects of ongoing discussions as the parties move toward cabinet ratification.
Domestically in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has assigned a name to the operation for returning the hostages, calling it “Returning to Their Border.” The security cabinet was slated to meet in the late afternoon to authorize the deal, with parliamentary and public scrutiny continuing as the timeline unfolds. Officials also noted that 53 percent of the Gaza Strip would remain under Israeli control after the initial withdrawal to the yellow line, with the rest subject to further negotiations and security arrangements in Phase B.
Hostage families and supporters gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv in the early hours after the announcement, mixing celebration with caution. They celebrated the prospect of returning hostages home, while acknowledging the pain of those still missing and the realities of possible losses. The mood ranged from jubilation to a sober insistence on accountability, as some family members spoke of closure but also of the enduring need to recover all remains and protect living captives. US President Donald Trump has been credited by many at the square for catalyzing the deal, and his image and leadership were prominent in the crowd. Yet, families emphasized that while the living must
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago