Israel at War Day 733 October 08, 2025Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeOctober 08, 2025UpdatesHostage families welcome Gaza deal announcement, say 'fight is not over until last hostage returns'The Hostage Families Forum welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on the Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal, saying they "receive news of the agreement's signing to return all 48 hostages with a mix of excitement, anticipation, and concern."According to the forum, the agreement "represents important and meaningful progress toward bringing everyone home, but our struggle is not over and will not end until the last hostage returns."ALL hostages to be released very soon!"I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan... BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!" - President Donald J. TrumpThe hostage families expressed their "profound gratitude to President Trump and his team for the leadership and determination that led to this historic breakthrough: an end to the war and a comprehensive agreement to return all the hostages."The forum urged the Israeli government to "convene immediately to approve the agreement," adding that "any delay could exact a heavy toll on the hostages and soldiers."They added, "There are 48 hostages held by Hamas. Our moral and national obligation is to bring them all home—both the living and the deceased. Their return is essential to the healing and recovery of Israeli society as a whole. We will not rest until the last hostage comes home."Qatar: Sides agreed on first phase of Gaza deal, 'details to be announced later'Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed Al Ansari announced that a Gaza deal has been reached."The mediators announced that an agreement was reached tonight on all the terms and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire agreement, leading to an end to the war, the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid," he wrote."Details will be announced later."Trump announces Gaza cease-fire: 'all of the hostages will be released very soon'U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal has been reached."I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan," he wrote. "This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace."Israeli sources: Gaza deal expected in hoursA Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal is expected in the coming hours, Israeli sources told Haaretz. A White House official told CNN that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to publish a post on Truth Social soon on the matter.A Palestinian source told the Qatari-owned Al Araby Al Jadeed outlet that the main obstacles in the negotiations have been resolved, adding that humanitarian aid will begin entering the Gaza Strip immediately upon the announcement through five border crossings.Source: IDF to completely withdraw from Gaza CityThe Gaza cease-fire is "close," a source briefed on the matter told Haaretz. "I hear it is very close. The withdrawal maps have been updated, and Israel will withdraw from most cities other than Rafah," a source said, adding that the sides are discussing the names of the prisoners to be released. According to the source, Israeli forces will completely withdraw from Gaza City. "The red line is those [prisoners] who participated in or planned the October 7 attack."The source has not responded to Haaretz inquiries on whether Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti will be among those released.White House: Trump 'considering going to Middle East' after 'routine' medical check-up on FridayU.S. President Donald Trump is considering flying to the Middle East after undergoing medical tests on Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing."On Friday morning, President Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center for a planned meeting and remarks with the troops," Leavitt said. She added that Trump is expected to "stop by for his routine yearly check-up" during his visit before returning to the White House."President Trump is considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter."October 09, 2025Trump: 'Very close' to a Middle East deal, 'they're going to need me very quickly'U.S. President Donald Trump said a Middle East deal is "very close," adding that "they're going to need me pretty quickly."Trump made the comments after being passed a note by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first," read the hand-scrawled note on White House stationery.Asked what remains to be done to reach a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal, Trump said, "Either get it done or get it signed."The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Hamas agrees to release all living hostages in one phase, senior source tells Al JazeeraThe mediators' meeting with representatives from Palestinian armed factions has concluded, a senior Hamas source told Al Jazeera, adding that there has been progress on the release of hostages and prisoners.The official said that Hamas has agreed to release all living hostages in a single phase, according to Al Jazeera, saying that the transfer of bodies will be postponed until logistical matters are resolved and the conditions in Gaza permit so.The mediators are currently meeting with the Israeli delegation and have reportedly asked both delegations to set Friday as the negotiations' final deadline.RECAP: Trump says 'good chance' for cease-fire; Video of hostage Bipin Joshi releasedHere are the latest updates on day 733 of the war:■ U.S. President Donald Trump said that he may come to the Middle East in the coming days as there's a "good chance" an Israel-Hamas cease-fire will be reached.■ Video footage of Nepali hostage Bipin Joshi from Hamas captivity was released to the public by his family on Wednesday.■ Israel is aware that Hamas may not find and return all the 28 remaining dead hostages in the Gaza Strip, three Israeli sources told CNN on Wednesday.■ Several Arab mediators hope Hamas can be persuaded to partially disarm as part of the cease-fire agreement with Israel, three sources told the New York Times.■ A senior Israeli official told the Saudi outlet Al Arabiya on Wednesday that Israel is "nearing the end of the first phase of cease-fire and hostage deal discussions." Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that if the Israel-Hamas talks will spur "positive results regarding Gaza today, a cease-fire will be announced," without ■ The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported eight Palestinians killed and 61 wounded in the past 24 hours. Total casualties since October 7: 67,183 dead and 169,841 wounded.In the NewsCoalition Fast-tracks Judicial Overhaul, Pro-settler Bills Ahead of ElectionsIDF Officer Killed in Southern Lebanon, Third Soldier Killed in North This WeekProtests Against Netanyahu Government Took Place Across IsraelIsraeli Day Trip: The Ancient Mound Where Philistines and Crusaders Cross PathsNYC Mayor Mamdani Shares Nakba Day Video, Sparks Backlash for One-sidednessRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Hasidic Jews Behind Florida's Giant Golden Trump StatueStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityIt Wasn't Just Revenge That Israel Was After in GazaIsraeli Artists Slam Venice Biennale Participation: 'Again, Israel as a Victim'Trump Collides With Reality in Latest Iran StandoffWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish Calendar