U.S. envoy Witkoff and CENTCOM chief visit IDF base as Gaza ceasefire holds; Gazans return
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, joined by CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper, visited an IDF base as about 200 U.S. CENTCOM personnel deployed to Israel to help monitor and support implementation of a U.S.‑brokered first‑phase ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The truce, approved by Israel’s cabinet after talks in Sharm el‑Sheikh, prompted IDF withdrawals to agreed lines, a 72‑hour window for Hamas to release roughly 20 living hostages of about 48 still held, and thousands of Palestinians beginning to return north amid preparations to ramp up humanitarian aid.
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📌 Key Facts
- Israel and Hamas agreed to a U.S.-backed, phased ceasefire (the 'first phase') negotiated in Sharm el‑Sheikh: the framework calls for Hamas to release all remaining hostages (about 48 people total — roughly 20 believed alive and ~28 deceased/remains) within the implementation timetable and for Israel to begin a partial withdrawal to agreed deployment lines.
- As part of the first phase Israel will free roughly 1,700–2,000 Palestinian detainees (including about 250 serving life sentences) in exchange for the hostages; logistics — especially locating and recovering remains — may delay some returns.
- The ceasefire took effect at noon local time after Israeli cabinet approval; the IDF began repositioning to 'adjusted' or 'updated' deployment lines while retaining control of roughly half of Gaza (estimates ~50–53%) during the initial phase.
- The United States deployed about 200 CENTCOM personnel to Israel to help monitor and support implementation, establish a civil‑military coordination center for aid/logistics, and oversee a multinational monitoring mechanism; CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper is leading the U.S. effort and participated in the negotiations.
- White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined the Sharm el‑Sheikh talks to press implementation; U.S. media published a photo of Witkoff visiting an IDF base with CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper on Oct. 11 as the ceasefire held and implementation began.
- Humanitarian access is slated to expand: UN and aid agencies have staged large stocks and planners set ambitious entry targets (reporting cited hundreds of trucks ready and initial goals of ~400 aid trucks per day), but much aid still requires clearance and distribution capacity is limited.
- Thousands — and by some counts hundreds of thousands — of displaced Gazans began moving back toward Gaza City and northern areas after the pullback announcement; humanitarian agencies warn many homes and services are destroyed or near collapse.
- Major unresolved, harder issues remain beyond phase one, including the timing and mechanics of Hamas disarmament, Gaza’s interim governance and decommissioning of weapons, the composition/command of any international stabilization force, and enforcement and sequencing of further Israeli withdrawals.
📚 Contextual Background
- U.S. officials in 2025 described a two-phase approach to ceasefire negotiations in which an initial hostage release would be followed by an Israeli military pullback to a previously held boundary position, while decisions about Gaza's future governing structure could be negotiated concurrently.
- A 2025 U.S. peace plan linked a hostage release to a reciprocal exchange involving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
- A 2025 U.S. peace plan specified that Hamas would release 48 remaining hostages, about 20 of whom were believed to be alive, within three days.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (4)
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."
How Kushner and Witkoff landed a Gaza peace deal
"A POLITICO Playbook analysis argues that Jared Kushner and real‑estate ally Steve Witkoff were pivotal behind the scenes in securing the first‑phase Gaza ceasefire/hostage deal, framing their role as emblematic of the Trump administration’s private‑sector, unconventional diplomacy — a potential political win for Trump that nevertheless remains fragile and fraught with implementation risks."
The Peace Deal Proves That Netanyahu’s Critics Were Wrong
"The WSJ opinion piece argues that the Trump‑brokered cease‑fire/hostage deal — described in reporting about the first‑phase ceasefire and Israeli pullback — undermines claims that Netanyahu kept fighting solely for political gain, emphasizing enforceable terms, U.S. backing, and negotiation sequencing as the real drivers of the agreement."
📰 Sources (113)
Analysis: Trump achieved a breakthrough Gaza ceasefire, but a tough road lies ahead
New information:
- Israel and Hamas have accepted the first part of the peace agreement focused on hostage returns and initial Israeli withdrawals inside Gaza.
- Hostage exchange specifics: 20 living hostages expected over the weekend; 28 deceased expected early next week.
- Israel to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and about 400 bodies of militants recovered on the battlefield.
- Israel to withdraw to agreed-upon lines within Gaza as part of these exchanges.
- Humanitarian aid target: 400 aid trucks per day for the first five days after the ceasefire, with plans to increase thereafter; UN agencies to oversee distribution.
- International stabilizing force remains notional; no countries have yet volunteered troops; questions remain about command-and-control and coordination with the IDF.
Trump envoy Witkoff on the ground in Israel as peace deal advances, Gazans return home
New information:
- Fox News obtained a photo of White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visiting an IDF base in the northern Gaza Strip with CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper on Oct. 11.
- IDF publicly stated the ceasefire took effect at 12:00 Friday and that troops repositioned to updated lines while remaining present in parts of Gaza; civilians were warned to avoid approaching troops.
- A 72-hour countdown for hostage releases has begun; Reuters figures cited: roughly 48 remaining hostages, about 20 believed alive and 28 deceased.
- Thousands of Palestinians were seen moving north to return home, including large columns along the Gaza coastline; Palestinian health authorities reported 100 bodies recovered following IDF withdrawal.
- Eyewitness quotes from Gaza City and Khan Younis describe widespread destruction and loss of property.
Hamas Re-Emerges in Gaza as Palestinians Return to Their Homes
New information:
- Hamas police have re-emerged on Gaza streets, with Reuters footage and local accounts noting visible deployment.
- The UN says about 180,000 Palestinians have begun returning home as Israeli forces withdraw under the cease-fire.
- Humanitarian groups and the UN are preparing 400–600 trucks of aid for Gaza; COGAT says the surge could take days to start.
- Phase 1 exchange specifics reiterated: about 20 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of ~28 to be handed over in return for thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
- Negotiations over a more complex Phase 2 — Hamas disarmament, an interim authority, and international troop presence — could start as early as Tuesday.
Jared Kushner Is Back, and His Imprint Is All Over the Gaza Deal
New information:
- Identifies Jared Kushner’s behind-the-scenes role shaping the Gaza ceasefire/hostage framework the CENTCOM team will help monitor.
- Reveals Netanyahu’s U.S.-pressed apology to Qatar as a step tied to the diplomatic package enabling the ceasefire/hostage process.
The American Troops Tasked With Helping Secure Gaza’s Future
New information:
- Adm. Brad Cooper of CENTCOM is leading the roughly 200‑member U.S. team due to arrive by Sunday.
- Officials are discussing a thousands‑strong International Stabilization Force for Gaza that could draw on troops from the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Indonesia and possibly Central Asian nations.
- Detailed tasking: the U.S. coordination center will monitor the cease‑fire and organize humanitarian aid, logistics and security assistance; officials reiterate no U.S. troops will enter Gaza.
- Diplomats are considering a 'decommissioning' process for Hamas weapons modeled on Northern Ireland arrangements, with details to be negotiated after hostage releases.
- Earlier Biden‑era concepts envisioned a U.S. logistics/transport/intel support role overseen by an American general based in Egypt, with an Egyptian or Emirati commander leading any stabilization force.
How the Israel-Hamas deal came together — a timeline
New information:
- Senior U.S. officials provided a chronological timeline of how the deal was assembled, including that Hamas accepted a new ceasefire proposal in August 2025 from Egypt and Qatar that evolved into the 20‑point plan.
- Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner brought the draft 20‑point plan to Qatar’s PM during UNGA (Sept. 22–24) to refine language; they also consulted Turkey and Egypt.
- Witkoff and Kushner drafted a version that explicitly included an Israeli apology to Qatar for a September strike in Doha; on Sept. 29, Trump, Netanyahu and Qatar’s PM held a call in which Netanyahu apologized, per a White House readout.
- Officials say the apology was ‘well received’ and increased leverage, and they detected shifting Gazan public opinion blaming Hamas, with follow‑on meetings in Sharm El Sheikh with Turkish and Egyptian intelligence chiefs and the Qatari PM.
- Ceasefire implementation details noted: IDF withdrawals from parts of Gaza started a 72‑hour countdown for Hamas to release remaining Israeli hostages, alongside Israeli releases of Palestinian prisoners and expanded aid flows.
With ceasefire and hostage deal, Gaza clears a hurdle. Taller ones remain.
New information:
- Negotiators agreed to split President Trump's 20-point Gaza plan into two phases, enabling a ceasefire-and-hostage-release first phase.
- White House representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner signed onto the phased approach during Egypt talks.
- Israeli government approved the deal late Thursday; the ceasefire took effect Friday.
- Israeli forces began withdrawing from population centers toward defensive positions on Gaza’s periphery.
- Thousands of displaced Palestinians started moving back toward Gaza City and the north.
- Hostage releases are to occur within 72 hours of the ceasefire’s start.
US sends CENTCOM troops to Israel for Trump-brokered Hamas ceasefire monitoring
New information:
- CENTCOM service members will arrive in Israel by Sunday to oversee ceasefire implementation and set up a civil‑military command center.
- None of the U.S. troops will enter Gaza; most are Army personnel specializing in logistics, security, engineering and transportation.
- Adm. Brad Cooper attended Sharm el‑Sheikh talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, then flew to Israel and is currently there.
- Target timeline to stand up the monitoring command center is roughly two and a half weeks, per Witkoff.
- CENTCOM will monitor the ceasefire alongside Qatar and Turkey; IDF confirmed completion of the initial withdrawal phase and commencement of the ceasefire, triggering Hamas’ 72‑hour hostage‑release window.
Scoop: Trump plans leaders summit on Gaza during Egypt visit next week
New information:
- U.S. officials confirmed Trump will attend a leaders summit on Gaza in Egypt next week.
- Summit is positioned to rally international backing for the Gaza plan; invitations sent to key European and Arab capitals.
- Event location and timing: Sharm el‑Sheikh, likely Tuesday (flex to Monday).
Family of Israeli hostage prepares for long-awaited reunion: "We started the count"
New information:
- An Israeli official told CBS News that Hamas will release all remaining hostages by noon local time Monday.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Israeli troops have finished their initial withdrawal from parts of Gaza under phase one.
- Israeli military specified the cease-fire began at noon local time Friday.
- Netanyahu, in a televised address Friday, argued the deal only came together under pressure on Hamas and denied claims it was previously 'on the table.'
White House turns to expanding Abraham Accords after Israel-Hamas ceasefire
New information:
- More precise figure: Israel will continue to occupy roughly 53% of Gaza during phase one of the ceasefire.
- White House press secretary clarifies that up to 200 U.S. personnel already at CENTCOM will monitor the agreement alongside international forces.
President Trump to visit Middle East for Gaza peace deal signing and hostage release
New information:
- President Trump will travel to Egypt and Israel this weekend to attend the Gaza peace agreement signing.
- He will address Israel's parliament (Knesset) during the visit.
- Trump plans to witness the release of hostages as part of the deal implementation.
- The plan was developed with aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and includes U.S. support to help stabilize Gaza.
Fragile Gaza ceasefire begins after reports of IDF activity
New information:
- CBS reports the ceasefire has begun and appears to be holding.
- There were reports of bombings and other military action up to the last minute before the truce took effect.
- CBS says President Trump plans to visit the Middle East in connection with the ceasefire diplomacy.
Israeli military says ceasefire takes effect in Gaza
New information:
- IDF said the cease-fire took effect at noon local time Friday and troops began withdrawing to agreed deployment lines.
- An Israeli security official said the military will control around 50% of Gaza in its new positions during the pause.
- Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered in Wadi Gaza began walking north after the cease-fire announcement.
- Reports of intensified shelling early Friday in Nuseirat and parts of Gaza City prior to the cease-fire taking effect.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu said subsequent stages require Hamas disarmament and warned it would be achieved 'the hard way' if necessary.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect, IDF begins pulling back in Gaza
New information:
- CENTCOM confirmed Israel completed the first phase of withdrawal and the 72-hour hostage-release window has started.
- IDF says troops are positioned along 'updated deployment lines' and that Israel will continue to occupy 53% of Gaza during the first phase.
- IDF spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee issued Arabic warnings naming specific danger areas (Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, Shejaiya, Rafah Crossing, Philadelphi Corridor) and advised against approaching the security zone.
- Two U.S. officials told Fox News that about 200 CENTCOM troops will deploy to Israel (not Gaza) to help oversee security, humanitarian flow, transportation, logistics and engineering for the deal’s implementation.
- Israel’s cabinet approval triggered a 24-hour countdown for withdrawal ahead of the ceasefire taking effect at noon local time.
- The release list includes the bodies of U.S. citizens Omer Neutra and Itay Chen; President Trump said he expects hostages home Monday or Tuesday and plans a Middle East trip for the agreement’s official signing.
Israel and Hamas prepare for hostage exchange. And, the DOJ indicts Letitia James
New information:
- Trump said he is trying to depart Sunday to the region (likely Egypt) and hopes to be in Israel when hostages are released.
- Netanyahu invited President Trump to address the Knesset, according to NPR.
- Crowds in Gaza began returning toward homes immediately after the pullback announcement, though many residences are destroyed.
Israeli military says Gaza ceasefire in effect and troops repositioning
New information:
- IDF says the ceasefire came into effect at noon local time (5 a.m. ET) Friday and troops began positioning along updated deployment lines.
- An Israeli official told CBS News Hamas will release all remaining hostages by noon local time Monday; Israeli count remains 48 held, about 20 believed alive.
- IDF issued an Arabic-language warning that forces will remain in designated areas inside Gaza and civilians should not approach.
- Explosions and airstrikes continued in Gaza up to the final hours before the ceasefire took effect, with large plumes of smoke reported Friday morning.
- A spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office told BBC (as relayed by CBS) that first-phase withdrawal would leave Israeli forces controlling 53% of Gaza.
Israel says it has begun a pull-back of troops in Gaza
New information:
- Israeli government gazette states the cease-fire began upon cabinet approval overnight Friday.
- Hostage handovers are expected to begin Monday; Israel says the framework covers release of all hostages, living and deceased.
- Hamas is believed to hold 20 living hostages and the bodies of 26, with the fate of two others unknown (total ~48).
- Israel to release about 250 Palestinian prisoners/detainees plus roughly 1,700 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the war began; many have been held without charge.
- Most prisoners released from Israeli jails are expected to be deported and not allowed to return to the West Bank, per NPR’s reporting.
- Israeli forces began pulling back from the coastal highway into Gaza City and toward a buffer zone after cabinet approval; Gaza civil defense reports withdrawals in Gaza City and Khan Younis.
- Two senior U.S. officials said the U.S. would contribute about 200 troops to a multinational monitoring effort (aligns with earlier reporting but reaffirmed here).
Israel Says Cease-Fire Has Begun, Troops Start Withdrawing From Parts of Gaza
New information:
- Cease-fire in Gaza took effect at noon Friday local time, triggering a 72-hour countdown for hostage releases and aid inflows.
- Israeli troops began withdrawing from parts of Gaza in line with a mapped 'yellow line' pullback; Hamas will deploy internal security in vacated areas.
- Negotiators in Egypt are finalizing details including the exact demarcation of the pullback line, prisoner releases, and control of the Rafah crossing.
- Israeli hospitals and the military are preparing to receive living hostages; aid groups are readying for increased border openings.
- An Israeli official said troops are destroying some of their own equipment and infrastructure as they withdraw; Israel struck northern Gaza late Thursday before the cabinet vote.
- Hostage status context: roughly 20 remaining hostages believed alive and the bodies of around 28 others still in Gaza.
Trump promised not to let Israel break Gaza ceasefire to get deal
New information:
- Trump gave a personal guarantee the U.S. would not allow Israel to abandon the ceasefire and resume the war, which U.S. officials say helped convince Hamas to accept the deal.
- A U.S.-led international monitoring mechanism will oversee compliance; about 200 U.S. soldiers/officers will participate (not on the ground in Gaza) alongside officers from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and others.
- Operational timeline: The IDF must withdraw to an agreed perimeter inside Gaza within 24 hours of the cabinet vote; within 72 hours after that, Hamas must release all remaining hostages, with completion by Monday.
- U.S. officials say roughly 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to be alive.
- Trump was personally involved, making at least three calls to interlocutors; Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff served as envoys and told mediators Trump would ensure full implementation of his 20‑point plan.
- Kushner reportedly told Trump the chance of a deal was '100%' before departing for Egypt, per a U.S. official.
- CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper discussed and later joined presentation of the ceasefire monitoring concept during negotiations.
- U.S. officials assessed Hamas had begun to view the remaining hostages as a liability rather than an asset, aiding the breakthrough.
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