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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-09 at 19:06
HEADLINES
- Permanent ceasefire begins hostages to be released
- Gaza casualties soar as aid ramps up
- Trump pushes governance plan for Gaza
The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 3:00 PM update on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the broader regional picture.
After months of intense fighting, a ceasefire deal reached in Sharm el-Sheikh is moving into its first implementation phase. The agreement includes a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, the opening of aid corridors, a large-scale prisoner exchange, and the entry of humanitarian relief into Gaza. Israel and Hamas have signaled that hostages remaining in Gaza would be freed in stages, with up to 20 living hostages expected to be released within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect. The accord relies on international guarantees and a security framework designed to prevent a relapse into fighting. The agreement is awaiting ratification and the formal ratification process continues in both capitals, with subsequent steps tied to the observed pace of de-escalation on the ground.
In Gaza, Palestinian health authorities and witnesses report casualties as the ceasefire begins to take hold. There are accounts of at least two deaths and more than 40 people believed to be missing beneath debris from a building struck in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City. The focus in the immediate hours ahead remains on the humanitarian situation, with the United Nations planning a rapid ramp-up of aid deliveries in the first two months of the ceasefire and international partners preparing to coordinate relief, medical supplies, and basic services for civilians who have borne the brunt of the conflict.
From the Israeli side, the military leadership has urged continued vigilance. The chief of staff, along with other top commanders, has underscored that the threat from hostile groups in the region has not vanished and that forces must stay ready for any contingency as the ceasefire begins to take hold. Soldiers and commanders have been reminded that the enemy remains, and that the region’s security remains fragile even as the steps toward calm proceed.
On the political and diplomatic front, US President Donald Trump has portrayed the move as a breakthrough toward broader regional peace and has suggested that all remaining hostages should be freed in short order. In public briefings and cabinet discussions, Trump has highlighted the role of US diplomacy in pressuring Israel and arming regional partners to apply pressure on Hamas. He has signaled plans to travel for the signing of the ceasefire in Egypt, with the expectation that hostages will be released early in the week. The American stance emphasizes “peace through strength” and a coordinated regional approach to prevent a relapse into war, while seeking to secure long-term stability in the West Bank and Gaza.
Hamas officials, including the head of its delegation in the talks, have framed the agreement as an end to the war and the start of a new phase in Gaza’s governance. They have described assurances obtained through mediators and the United States that the war would end and a permanent ceasefire would take effect, with openings such as the Rafah crossing and the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, voices within Israel’s coalition have expressed concerns about the terms, particularly the release of thousands of prisoners, including hundreds serving long sentences for deadly attacks. Some partners in the government have warned that public safety and the prospect of renewed violence must remain the government’s top priority, and they have pledged to scrutinize the agreement closely as it unfolds.
Internationally, the ceasefire has triggered a wave of diplomacy and commentary. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that whil
Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago