Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:32am on 09 Oct 2025,Thursday International
Israel and Hamas agreed to a first-phase Gaza ceasefire deal ending the devastating two-year war that began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. The agreement calls for immediate cessation of fighting, with Hamas releasing 48 remaining hostages (20 believed alive) starting this weekend, while Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey brokered the indirect negotiations. Over 67,000 Palestinians died, mostly women and children, with Gaza's infrastructure devastated. Israeli cabinet votes Thursday on approval.
