Israel, Hamas sign first‑phase Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal; cabinet ratification set, ceasefire starts Friday
After days of indirect talks in Sharm el‑Sheikh mediated by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Turkey with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner present, Israel and Hamas signed off on the first phase of President Trump’s 20‑point plan: Hamas will release the remaining hostages (about 48 total, roughly 20 believed alive) in exchange for a large release of Palestinian detainees (roughly 1,900–2,000, including several hundred serving long sentences), a partial Israeli pullback to an agreed line and increased humanitarian access. Israel’s cabinet ratified the deal Thursday, triggering a 24‑hour window for Israeli redeployment and a 72‑hour countdown for hostage releases (with U.S. troops and international monitors to help oversee implementation), while key issues such as disarmament and Gaza’s future governance remain unresolved.
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📌 Key Facts
- Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire/hostage deal in Sharm el‑Sheikh, Egypt (announced Oct. 8–9); mediators included the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participated alongside Israeli and Hamas negotiators.
- Under the first phase, Hamas agreed to release the remaining hostages held since Oct. 7, 2023 — reporting across outlets cites about 48 total hostages (roughly 20 believed alive) — with living hostages to be freed on an accelerated timetable (most reports cite a 72‑hour window for living returns) and the remains of others to be recovered and returned over a longer, logistically difficult period.
- Israel agreed to a partial pullback of forces to an "agreed upon" line and to release roughly 1,950–2,000 Palestinian detainees (commonly reported as ~250 prisoners serving life sentences plus ~1,700 Gazans detained after Oct. 7), while retaining some forces/positions inside Gaza and excluding certain senior Hamas combatants from release.
- Implementation is conditioned on Israeli government ratification (Israeli security cabinet and full cabinet votes were scheduled for Thursday); the formal ceasefire/withdrawal was set to begin within 24 hours of cabinet approval (reported to take effect Friday), followed by the hostages' release timetable (earliest returns expected over the coming weekend into Monday, though logistics may delay some recoveries).
- The United States and partners are putting monitoring and support in place: reports say roughly 200 U.S. troops were being sent to Israel (none into Gaza) and CENTCOM will set up a civil‑military coordination center; longer‑term plans discussed include an international stabilization force, independent monitors for Hamas disarmament, and a proposed technocratic governance mechanism for Gaza.
- Humanitarian access is a central element: hundreds of aid trucks and large stocks of aid (reports cite ~170,000 metric tons staged) were expected to enter Gaza as fighting pauses, even as sources repeatedly warn Gaza’s humanitarian system remains near collapse and many aid deliveries still require clearance.
- Major outstanding issues remain for later phases: the timing and verification of Hamas disarmament, the scope of Israeli presence or buffer zones, Gaza’s postwar governance (including proposals for an international "Board of Peace"), and how to ensure enforcement — all of which negotiators said would be resolved after the first phase.
- Public reaction was mixed but intense: there were scenes of relief and celebration in Israel (notably at Hostages Square) and cautious hope in Gaza and the West Bank, while hostage families and critics pressed for speedy implementation and some Israeli and international voices warned about security risks from releasing high‑level prisoners; isolated strikes and clashes were still reported as parties prepared to implement the deal.
📚 Contextual Background
- The Trump administration supports a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, conditioned on direct negotiation with Israel and the fulfillment of defined security conditions.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (2)
The art of the (peace) deal
"A Politico Playbook commentary frames Trump’s negotiated first‑phase Gaza hostage deal as a major diplomatic and political achievement for the president while warning that significant verification, disarmament and governance issues leave its long‑term success uncertain."
The Lessons of Trump’s Gaza Peace Deal
"The Wall Street Journal editorial argues the U.S.‑backed first‑phase Gaza deal is a major opportunity made possible chiefly by President Trump’s pro‑Israel posture and sustained military pressure on Hamas, but its durability depends on strict enforcement—especially demilitarization and constraints on Hamas’s allies."
📰 Sources (92)
Gazans and Israelis celebrate ceasefire deal with hopes for lasting peace
New information:
- PBS reports Hamas will release 'all 20 living hostages' in the coming days under the agreement.
- PBS reiterates that the IDF will begin pulling back but remain inside Gaza during this phase.
- Segment captures public reaction, noting Gazans and Israelis celebrating the deal, while acknowledging unresolved issues ahead.
Israeli cabinet approves agreement to stop the war in Gaza
New information:
- Axios reports Israel’s cabinet has approved the agreement to stop the war in Gaza (cabinet ratification confirmed).
Israelis and Palestinians greet Gaza deal with joy, relief, and caution
New information:
- Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of the ceasefire/hostage deal in Egypt on Oct. 9 with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the U.S.
- Israeli Cabinet ratification is expected Thursday night, with a ceasefire to begin 24 hours after ratification (Friday).
- Mediators expect Hamas to release hostages by Monday, according to President Trump.
- President Trump says he plans to visit the region to oversee the deal.
- On‑the‑ground reactions in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza reflect cautious relief and expectations for staged Israeli withdrawal.
U.S. sending troops to Israel to help support and monitor Gaza ceasefire deal, officials say
New information:
- The U.S. is deploying about 200 troops to Israel to support and monitor the Gaza ceasefire agreement; no U.S. troops will enter Gaza.
- CENTCOM will establish a 'civil-military coordination center' in Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid and provide logistical and security assistance.
- Troops will include personnel from CENTCOM and other commands; arrivals have begun and will continue over the weekend.
- The monitoring and support team will include partner nations, NGOs, and private-sector participants.
- The new team’s remit includes monitoring implementation of the ceasefire and assisting the transition to a civilian government in Gaza.
Once the Gaza ceasefire goes into effect, what happens next? Here's what to know
New information:
- NPR says it has seen the agreement text; ceasefire must begin within 24 hours of Israeli Cabinet approval.
- Israel to pull back troops to an agreed line within that 24‑hour window.
- Hamas has 72 hours to free 20 hostages still alive; 28 others are presumed dead and recovery may take longer.
- Israel to release roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as hostages are freed.
- U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher says 170,000 metric tons of aid are staged, with hundreds of trucks expected to enter Gaza by Monday.
- Trump plans to travel to Egypt for an 'official signing' and has an invitation to address the Knesset.
- Governance/security blueprint details: a technocratic committee under a new 'Board of Peace' chaired by Trump; Hamas to disarm under independent monitors; immediate deployment of a U.S.-organized International Stabilization Force to train vetted Palestinian police and provide internal security.
Fetterman optimistic Trump’s Gaza peace deal could bring ‘enduring peace’ to Middle East
New information:
- Sen. John Fetterman (D‑Pa.) publicly praises the Trump‑brokered first‑phase Gaza peace agreement as "comprehensive" and says he is "optimistic" it could bring "enduring peace."
- Fetterman says both Hamas and Israel are committed to the first phase and credits Egypt, Turkey and Qatar with pressing Hamas to accept.
- He credits Israel’s military campaign against Hamas and Hezbollah and efforts against Iran’s nuclear program for creating conditions for peace.
- Fetterman backs Trump’s "very strong commitment" to Israel and cites support for strikes on Iranian nuclear sites under "Operation Midnight Hammer."
- He suggests Trump could merit Nobel Peace Prize consideration for the Gaza deal and potentially for progress on Russia‑Ukraine.
Trump takes questions on Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan
New information:
- President Trump said Israel and Hamas have signed a deal for the first phase of an agreement to end the Gaza war.
- Trump took questions about the deal at the White House on Thursday.
- CBS frames this as the first phase of the broader ceasefire/hostage release plan.
Exclusive: Israeli ambassador says no peace in Gaza unless Hamas hands over all 48 hostages, disarms
New information:
- Israel’s U.S. ambassador Yechiel Leiter says there will be no end to the war or IDF withdrawal until all 48 living and deceased hostages are returned and Hamas disarms.
- The 72‑hour deadline for returning hostages/bodies is set to begin Friday night local time, and Israel insists all bodies must be returned before moving forward.
- An international task force involving the U.S., Qatar and Egypt has been formed to help recover the bodies; the White House did not comment on the U.S. role.
- Leiter characterizes the deal as effectively a Hamas surrender and notes disarmament is not part of the first phase of implementation.
- Israeli government approval is expected, and the ambassador says the agreement was finalized overnight, though it’s unclear if Trump’s original 20‑point plan changed.
From grief to gratitude: Trump praised as Israelis celebrate Hamas hostage deal in Tel Aviv
New information:
- Large crowds gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square celebrating the announced first phase of the deal, with attendees displaying 'We Love Trump' signs and U.S. flags.
- The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement expressing 'deep gratitude' to President Trump and his team for the 'historic breakthrough,' reiterating the duty to return all 48 remaining hostages (living and fallen).
- New on-the-ground quotes from Israeli family members (e.g., Daniel Lifshitz, Harrosh Menashe) and attendees describing relief, ongoing trauma, and resolve to bring everyone home.
Palestinians in Gaza express relief and caution as ceasefire deal raises hopes of ending the war
New information:
- AP/PBS report the sides have agreed to a pause in fighting and the release of the remaining 48 hostages (about 20 believed alive) in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
- The IDF said it has begun preparations for implementing the ceasefire and that troops plan to shift to 'adjusted deployment lines.'
- Explosions were observed Thursday morning in northern Gaza as Israeli strikes continued despite preparations, with no immediate IDF comment on those specific strikes.
- On‑the‑ground reactions from displaced Gazans underscore immediate humanitarian expectations and fears about compliance and what follows the pause.
Father of youngest American hostage holds out sliver of hope after Trump secures Gaza peace deal
New information:
- President Trump said he expects the remaining hostages to be released on Monday.
- Alex Plitsas (former White House hostage policy team) said senior U.S. and Israeli officials indicated Hamas requested extra time to locate bodies of deceased hostages amid battlefield disruption.
- Ruby Chen, father of 19-year-old U.S.–Israeli Itay Chen (declared dead by IDF), said the family has no physical evidence confirming his fate and still holds out a sliver of hope.
What we know about the deal to pause war in Gaza and what’s next
New information:
- Israeli Cabinet and Knesset are expected to ratify the deal Thursday evening, triggering a partial pullback of Israeli forces.
- Hamas will release 20 living hostages within days, likely Monday, and will return the remains of around 28 hostages (logistics may delay the latter).
- Israel will free 'hundreds' of Palestinian prisoners as part of the first phase.
- Israeli troops will move out of populated areas as part of the initial pullback, with 'hundreds' of aid trucks slated to enter Gaza and ramp up over time.
- Hamas says it is relying on guarantees from President Trump that a full Israeli withdrawal will follow later phases.
- Open issues outlined include possible Israeli retention of a buffer zone and the Philadelphi Corridor unless Hamas disarms and a new governing body for Gaza is established.
What world leaders said after Trump announced first steps in Israel-Hamas agreement
New information:
- AP cites terms that Hamas will release all 20 living hostages in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
- Article says the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza (broader phrasing than prior 'yellow line' detail).
- Turkey’s President Erdogan thanked Trump and said Turkey will closely monitor full implementation; he also thanked Qatar and Egypt.
- Egypt’s President el‑Sissi called the agreement a 'historic moment'; Egypt’s foreign minister expressed hope for a new chapter of security and stability.
- The UAE praised the move toward a ceasefire and linked it to progress toward a two‑state solution.
- UN Secretary‑General António Guterres said the UN will support full implementation, scale up sustained humanitarian relief, and advance recovery and reconstruction in Gaza; he urged a credible political path to a two‑state solution.
- China’s Foreign Ministry said it hopes for a 'lasting and comprehensive' ceasefire, expects easing of the humanitarian crisis, and is ready to work with the international community.
Trump says he's considering going to Middle East after announcing Israel, Hamas deal
New information:
- President Trump said he is considering traveling to the Middle East this weekend with potential stops in Israel and Egypt and did not rule out Gaza.
- He publicly announced that Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to release hostages and pull back troops in Gaza.
Israel and Hamas sign deal for first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza
New information:
- Deal expected to be signed in Sharm el‑Sheikh after a formal Israeli government vote on Thursday.
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi issued a public statement confirming a ceasefire 'in accordance with the peace plan proposed by President Trump' under the auspices of Egypt, Qatar and the U.S.
- Operational timeline: Once the ceasefire takes effect, within 24 hours the IDF will complete the first-phase pullback to a defined 'yellow' line, including leaving Gaza City.
- The 72-hour countdown for hostage releases begins after the initial IDF withdrawal; release of the ~20 living hostages is expected Sunday or Monday.
- Netanyahu is to convene the security cabinet around 9 a.m. ET, followed by a full government session roughly two hours later for approval.
Hostage Deal Negotiators Work to Close Gaps as Israel Prepares to Vote
New information:
- WSJ reports the Israeli government is set to vote Thursday on the agreement.
- States President Trump announced the deal from the White House on Wednesday.
- Frames the agreement as establishing a Gaza cease-fire and freeing remaining hostages (beyond prior phase-one details).
Hostage Deal Negotiators Work to Close Gaps as Israel Prepares to Vote
New information:
- Israel’s government is set to vote Thursday on the U.S.-brokered hostage-and-ceasefire agreement.
- President Trump announced the deal from the White House on Wednesday.
Israel and Hamas reach initial ceasefire deal. And, National Guard arrive near Chicago
New information:
- Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phases of a ceasefire deal (beyond an anticipated cabinet vote).
- Within 72 hours of signing, Hamas will release all living hostages, believed to be about 20 people.
- Israel plans to release 2,000 detainees and prisoners and make a partial pullback while remaining deep inside Gaza.
- On‑the‑ground reaction in Israel and Gaza, including a family member’s quote from Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.
Trump peace deal triggers 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release 48 hostages from Gaza
New information:
- A 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release 48 hostages (20 alive, 28 deceased) will begin once Israel’s cabinet approves the deal.
- IDF will begin withdrawing within 24 hours to an agreed line but remain in 53% of Gaza until all hostages are released.
- Israel will release roughly 1,700 Gazans detained after Oct. 2023 and about 250 prisoners serving life sentences in the first phase; exclusions include Hamas Nukhba operatives and top commanders.
- Earliest releases could start Saturday; all living hostages expected by Sunday and repatriation of the deceased starting Monday.
- Netanyahu publicly thanked President Trump and called the agreement a diplomatic success; hospitals (e.g., Ichilov Medical Center) are preparing trauma-oriented reception for returnees.
Trump really wants a Nobel Peace Prize. His prospects may be rising.
New information:
- Christian Science Monitor reports Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a U.S.-brokered plan.
- Stated terms include exchanging remaining hostages and prisoners and an Israeli troop pullback.
- Timing: agreement reached Wednesday evening (Oct. 8, 2025), with Trump posting “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
+ 72 more sources