Oren Levi

The release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza is expected to begin early Monday morning, according to Shosh Bedrosian, spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Emotions ran high Saturday night at a massive rally in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where families and supporters gathered to celebrate the breakthrough ceasefire deal that will see the return of dozens of hostages from Gaza.

A senior Hamas official announced Saturday that the group will not attend the official signing ceremony for the ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The statement raises renewed doubts about the group’s genuine commitment to the peace process.

Amid shifting regional dynamics and fresh diplomatic momentum following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Israel is stepping up its outreach in Africa. 

U.S. President Donald J. Trump could arrive in Jerusalem as early as Sunday, October 12, following the announcement of a breakthrough ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza that U.S. officials say was brokered with his direct involvement.

High-ranking officials from the U.S., Qatar, and Turkey are expected to join indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel on Wednesday in Egypt, as international pressure mounts to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

A senior Israeli delegation is set to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on Monday to resume negotiations with mediators and representatives of Hamas’s political bureau, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Tel Aviv stocks surged to record highs on Sunday, fueled by renewed optimism around U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza and secure the return of the remaining Israeli hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday evening that political and military pressure has forced Hamas to accept the peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. 

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a final warning on Wednesday, urging residents of Gaza City to evacuate south as the Israeli military intensifies its offensive in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team has been barred from competing in next week’s Giro dell’Emilia due to public safety concerns, race organisers confirmed on Sunday.

Israeli forces pushed further into the heart of Gaza City on Wednesday, targeting what is described as the last stronghold of Hamas and other Islamist factions in the enclave.