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For the first time in two years, a Turkish Airlines aircraft landed in Israel — but not for tourism. The flight was arranged to deport 137 foreign activists who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Motzaei Shabbos that 137 additional flotilla participants had been expelled from the country. According to Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, the deportees were placed aboard a Turkish Airlines flight that departed from Israel and landed in Istanbul later in the afternoon.

The passengers included citizens of the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Malaysia, Bahrain, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Turkey.

In a statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused the activists of operating under false pretenses. “These individuals arrived under the guise of ‘humanitarian aid,’ but their actions — including their refusal to accept offers from Israel, Italy, and Greece to deliver assistance through peaceful means, and the minimal amount of aid they actually carried — prove that their real goal was provocation in service of Hamas, not humanitarian assistance,” the ministry said.

Reports in the British newspaper The Guardian quoted messages sent to Swedish officials by Thunberg’s associates, alleging that she was being “treated harshly in Israeli prison.” The messages, reportedly forwarded to Sweden’s Foreign Ministry, claimed Thunberg had been held in “a cell infested with bedbugs,” and that she suffered from dehydration and lack of food and water, forced to “sit for long hours on hard surfaces.”

The Guardian also reported that another detainee alleged Israeli forces had “forced Thunberg to pose for photos holding flags of unclear origin.” Sweden’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that a consular representative visited Thunberg at the Ketziot Prison, where she spoke about her conditions and said she had been asked to sign a document written in a language she did not understand.

At the same time, Reuters reported that several activists claimed they were “violently arrested” and restrained with zip ties, forced to kneel for hours. The legal aid group Adalah, which represents several detainees, accused Israeli authorities of denying them access to lawyers, water, and medical care.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected those allegations, stating that all detainees were “healthy and unharmed” and that the government was “working to complete the deportations as quickly as possible.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu wrapped up a two-hour meeting with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir tonight. Ben Gvir, the leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, had warned earlier in the evening that his faction would quit the coalition if Hamas “continues to exist” following the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also joined part of the meeting, Walla reported.

Smotrich, who—like Ben Gvir—had opposed previous agreements linking hostage releases to ceasefires, stated earlier that Netanyahu had made a “serious mistake” by agreeing to pause Israel’s offensive in Gaza at the request of President Donald Trump.

Despite their threats, neither minister had withdrawn from the government as of Saturday night.

The two nationalist ministers had consistently opposed ending the war in exchange for hostages, pressing instead for Israel to annex Gaza and establish Jewish communities there — an approach explicitly rejected under Trump’s peace framework.

Opposition leaders, meanwhile, said they were determined to ensure a parliamentary majority for the Trump-brokered deal, even if Ben Gvir and Smotrich followed through on their threats to abandon the coalition.

According to the Haaretz newspaper, Netanyahu had been in closer and more frequent contact with the two ministers in recent days than had been publicly known. The report said he had kept them updated and spoken to both throughout Shabbat.

Sources close to Netanyahu told Haaretz that the prime minister preferred to see the hostages freed even if it meant the collapse of his government, rather than maintaining political stability at the expense of their release — though some political observers expressed doubt about whether this reflected his true intentions.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Final preparations are underway in Petach Tikva for what has become one of Israel’s largest and most joyous Chol Hamoed Sukkos events — the annual Simchas Beis HaSho’eivah of the Mishkoltz chassidus, set to take place this Wednesday, October 8, at the HaMoshava Stadium–Shlomo Insurance Arena, located at 12 Derech Shlomo Shmelzer Street, adjacent to the Kiryat Aryeh train station.

The celebration will be led by the Mishkoltzer Rebbe, marking over 50 years of his leadership in Petach Tikva. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m., followed by Maariv at 7:30 inside the stadium.

This massive annual gathering has long become a hallmark of the Mishkoltz chassidus, drawing tens of thousands from across the religious spectrum, all coming together in unity to celebrate Simchas Yom Tov.

The event, organized by the Mishkoltz community in cooperation with the Petach Tikva Municipality, is held under the patronage of Mayor Rami Greenberg, who has been instrumental in facilitating the logistics for the undertaking.

The musical program will feature singers including Lipa Schmeltzer, Shmulik Sukkot, and Dovi Meisels, along with the Negina Choir and the orchestra of Danny Avidani.

Organizers promise that this year’s celebration will be “bigger and more uplifting than ever before,” featuring special surprises for the thousands expected to attend.

HaMoshava Stadium, one of Israel’s largest and most modern venues, can accommodate tens of thousands of participants in spacious, comfortable seating.

To ensure the safety and smooth operation of the event, a joint command center has been established near the stadium, manned by representatives of the chassidus, the police, Magen David Adom, the Fire and Rescue Service, and municipal officials.

Entry for men will be exclusively through Gates 6–10, while women will enter only through Gates 1–5.

Petach Tikva Police have also designated a special area for baby strollers and family access, to accommodate the thousands of men, women, and children expected to attend.

Transportation to the venue will be highly accessible: the new R3 light rail line stops directly at the stadium, with service from Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Bnei Brak. In addition, numerous bus and train routes arrive at the nearby Kiryat Aryeh station, and the adjacent large parking lot will provide ample space for private vehicles.

{Matzav.com Israel}

An FBI agent has been placed on suspension after declining to participate in what was described as a planned “perp walk” for the bureau’s former director, James Comey, according to reports from multiple U.S. media outlets.

CBS News, citing FBI sources, said the agent was disciplined for insubordination after objecting to the plan, which they reportedly viewed as inappropriate and unnecessary. The incident comes just days after President Donald Trump publicly urged law enforcement officials to intensify investigations into several of his political opponents, including Comey.

Comey was indicted in Virginia on two federal counts following those remarks. CBS reported that FBI officials discussed the possibility of sending “large, beefy” agents in Kevlar vests to escort Comey during his upcoming arraignment in Alexandria, Virginia. The BBC said it reached out to the FBI for comment but has not received a response.

A “perp walk” typically involves authorities parading a suspect or defendant before cameras while being escorted by officers, a practice often used in high-profile criminal cases in the United States.

Comey is scheduled to appear in federal court on October 9, where he will be formally arraigned on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation.

Prosecutors allege that Comey misled a Senate committee in 2020 regarding whether he personally authorized the release of classified information to the media.

Comey, who led the FBI during politically charged investigations into both Russian election interference in 2016 and Hillary Clinton’s private email server, has flatly denied the accusations. He said he has “great confidence in the federal judicial system.”

If convicted, the former FBI director could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Comey’s removal from his post in 2017 by President Trump occurred while the bureau was investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. That probe ultimately concluded that there was no coordination between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Since his dismissal, Comey has remained one of Trump’s most vocal critics — and a frequent target of the president’s attacks.

The indictment against Comey was reportedly filed just before the five-year statute of limitations expired. It came shortly after Trump appointed a new chief federal prosecutor for the region, Lindsey Halligan, who had previously served as his personal attorney.

Trump had publicly voiced irritation that “nothing is being done” to hold his rivals accountable. He urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue investigations into Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Senator Adam Schiff, who led Trump’s first impeachment trial.

“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump wrote on social media.

It remains unclear whether the FBI intends to follow through with the heavily choreographed “perp walk.” Sources familiar with the case indicated that Comey’s attorneys are arranging to accompany him to court — a standard procedure for defendants in non-violent cases.

{Matzav.com}

The federal government entered its fourth day of a partial shutdown Saturday, as Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill remained mired in a familiar standoff over spending priorities — with no clear path to reopening agencies or paying hundreds of thousands of furloughed workers. The shutdown, which began at midnight on October 1 after Congress failed to pass a stopgap funding measure, has already rippled through the economy, freezing non-essential federal operations and leaving millions of Americans facing disruptions to routine government services. National security, air traffic control, and other essential functions continue to operate, but agencies from the Interior Department to the Labor Department have ground to a halt. At the core of the impasse is a dispute over the size and scope of federal spending in the 2026 fiscal year — and, increasingly, over presidential authority itself. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), passed a “clean” continuing resolution on September 19 to maintain funding at current levels through November without additional policy riders. Senate Democrats blocked the measure, demanding protections for programs such as WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, which provides food assistance to nearly seven million low-income families. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also cited concerns about President Donald Trump’s use of rescission authority — a power allowing the executive branch to claw back congressionally approved funds — warning that the White House could weaponize it to undo negotiated spending agreements. The breakdown in talks has hardened partisan lines and turned the shutdown into both a fiscal and political test of wills. President Trump, who once railed against shutdowns during his first term, has now embraced this one as a tool to reshape government. In a Truth Social post on October 2, Trump said he had met with OMB Director Russell Vought to identify “Democrat agencies” for elimination, calling the funding lapse “an opportunity to save billions.” The administration has already frozen $26 billion in federal funds slated for climate and infrastructure programs in Democratic-leaning states — a move critics denounced as political retaliation. Vice President JD Vance warned that layoffs could begin “if the shutdown continues,” signaling the administration’s readiness to escalate pressure on federal workers and Democratic governors alike. Democrats have accused the White House and congressional Republicans of orchestrating the shutdown to weaken social programs and redirect funds toward conservative priorities. “This is not leverage,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Friday. “We’re not going to negotiate under threat while families lose access to basic services.” California Governor Gavin Newsom called GOP claims of Democratic obstruction “lies,” accusing Trump’s allies of manufacturing the crisis to score political points. “They passed the bill,” Newsom said in a video posted to X. “They just don’t want to govern.” Preliminary Senate talks on October 1 briefly explored a shorter continuing resolution to allow more time for a full-year budget deal, but no breakthrough emerged. Roughly 2 million federal employees are affected by the shutdown. About 800,000 have been furloughed, while the rest are working without pay — including more than 200,000 active-duty military personnel who face delayed paychecks starting October 15, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The Labor Department has postponed the release of its September jobs report, creating what analysts call an “economic […]

Thick smoke hung over Gaza City today, but for the first time in months, a sense of anticipation replaced despair. Many Gazans dared to believe that the war could soon end after President Donald Trump publicly called on Israel to halt its bombing campaign.

“Trump’s announcement was very surprising to me, as he has always been biased toward Israel,” said 24-year-old Jamila al-Sayyid from the Zeitun neighborhood. Despite hearing the president’s appeal, she said, “the planes did not stop,” yet she remained determined to stay in Gaza City rather than flee.

For her, the main goal was clear. “The most important thing is that the ceasefire will take effect and the Israeli prisoners will be released, as they are a pretext for Israel to continue its occupation,” she said, referring to the hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.

On Friday night, Hamas announced that it was willing, in principle, to release all remaining hostages under the terms of Trump’s proposed ceasefire. Shortly afterward, Trump responded on Truth Social, writing, “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”

Following the announcement, Israel’s military suspended its offensive operations in Gaza City, though the Israel Defense Forces said it would maintain defensive positions. Commanders cautioned that northern Gaza “remains a dangerous combat zone,” warning displaced residents not to return to their homes.

In Gaza City’s western district, 50-year-old Sami Adas described the day as one of rare optimism. Living with his family in a tent after losing his home to airstrikes, he said any ceasefire would be life-changing. “The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire, and Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time,” Adas said, expressing confidence that “he is the only one who can force Israel to comply and stop the war.”

Further south, in the coastal zone of al-Mawasi — declared a “humanitarian area” by Israel — 49-year-old Mahmud Abu Shamala said he had long dreamed of this moment. “This ceasefire is a dream I have wished to achieve for two years,” he said. Yet he voiced skepticism that Israel would honor the deal after Hamas releases the 48 remaining hostages, most of whom were captured during the October 7 assault.

Although Trump introduced his ceasefire proposal earlier in the week, both sides have yet to resolve major disputes. In discussions with Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear his opposition to allowing the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah to take control of Gaza. Hamas, meanwhile, avoided addressing demands that it disarm or send its leadership into exile, saying further talks were required to finalize the agreement.

Even so, the American initiative has sparked new hope among Palestinians after months of stalemate. Negotiations had reached a dead end following Israel’s failed attempt to eliminate Hamas leaders in Qatar, one of the key mediating countries.

“It’s enough… the situation is very bad,” said Abu Hussein Labad, displaced from the Jabalia refugee camp. “I’m injured, and to this day I can’t move. The situation is unbearable. God willing, the war will end and we can return to our destroyed homes.”

In Ramallah, Palestinians watching the developments from afar also voiced cautious optimism. “Hamas’ stance yesterday was very good,” said Iyad Safi. “God willing, it will be for the good of the people — the most important thing is the people’s interest, that the war stops and things come to an end.”

Adnan Naeem, another Ramallah resident, said the group’s response to Trump’s ultimatum struck the right balance. “Hamas addressed the urgent issues,” he explained. “The other issues can be discussed later.”

{Matzav.com}

Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk asserted that the group would need several months to locate all hostages still held in Gaza, including both the living and the dead.

Israeli officials swiftly rejected that explanation. A government representative in Jerusalem stated that Hamas’s claim was disingenuous, insisting the organization has full knowledge of the captives’ whereabouts. “Hamas cannot claim that it does not know where each one of the living hostages is. We know that they know, and we know that they can reach them. There are 20 living hostages,” the official said.

On Friday, Israel’s Kan 11 News reported that government sources believe Hamas’s recent response to President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and hostage-release proposal will lead to a new round of high-level negotiations intended to finalize both an end to the conflict and the hostages’ release.

The report added that those familiar with the talks expect Hamas to seek an extension beyond the agreed-upon 72-hour period stipulated in Trump’s plan for the release of all hostages.

While the identities and locations of the 20 surviving hostages held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad are known to the terror groups, Israeli officials are preparing for the likelihood that Hamas will use the issue of deceased captives to delay implementation of the deal or to push for an Israeli troop pullback. According to Kan 11 News, intermediaries have recently relayed messages to Jerusalem suggesting that Hamas could make such demands as part of the negotiation process.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Almost four weeks after Israel’s unsuccessful strike targeting him in Doha, senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya appeared publicly for the first time in a televised interview.

Speaking to the Qatari network Al-Araby, al-Hayya addressed the recent attack that claimed the lives of his son and several members of his staff. He framed their deaths as part of a broader struggle against Israel, declaring that their spilled blood “will pave the way for victory, for Jerusalem, and for humiliating the occupation.”

{Matzav.com}

The Israel Defense Forces announced that troops have discovered a Hamas tunnel running beneath a hospital in Gaza City, as well as another tunnel entrance located beside a different medical center.

According to the military, the first tunnel was uncovered near the Jordanian Hospital in southern Gaza City. Units from the IDF’s 36th Division, including specialized soldiers from the elite Yahalom combat engineering corps, located the entrance within a Hamas compound positioned directly next to the hospital.

The tunnel extends approximately one and a half kilometers in length and includes multiple chambers, among them a weapons production workshop and additional rooms used by the terror group, the IDF reported.

Intelligence gathered by the army indicated that Hamas commanders at both the company and platoon levels had been living and operating from inside the tunnel.

The military emphasized that “Hamas’s activity near the Jordanian hospital was carried out without the involvement or knowledge of the Jordanians.”

A second tunnel was also discovered in the vicinity of the Hamad Hospital, located near Gaza’s northwestern coastline. The IDF said this tunnel runs directly beneath the hospital structure itself.

“The Hamas terror organization systematically operates in hospital areas, exploiting humanitarian facilities for military purposes. For years, the organization has built an underground system beneath hospitals throughout the Strip, used for weapon production and managing combat operations,” the IDF stated.

Troops continue to operate in the area to fully survey the tunnel networks before carrying out demolitions. The military added that its forces are “expanding their operations to additional sites where there are indications of terror activity.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

A Turkish participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla alleged that Israeli soldiers brutally mistreated Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg after the flotilla’s ships were intercepted and seized in international waters.

Ersin Celik, one of the detained activists who returned to Istanbul today, told CNN Turk that Thunberg, 22, endured physical and psychological abuse while in Israeli custody.

“They (Israeli forces) severely tortured Greta before our eyes,” Celik said. “They persecuted her — Greta is just a little child. They made her crawl and made her kiss the Israeli flag. They did exactly what the Nazis did once.”

According to Celik, the soldiers deliberately humiliated Thunberg because of her international recognition. “They displayed her publicly. And because she is a popular figure, they specifically targeted her,” he added.

A flight carrying several of the flotilla participants who had been detained by Israeli forces landed in Istanbul on Saturday afternoon. The plane, which departed from Ramon Airport in Eilat, touched down at Istanbul Airport at 3:50 p.m. local time (12:50 GMT).

A total of 137 activists were on board, including 36 Turkish and 23 Malaysian nationals, all of whom had taken part in the maritime mission that sought to deliver aid to Gaza.

As of Saturday evening, there was no confirmation on whether Thunberg had been released or remained in Israeli custody. She was previously among those aboard the Madleen, another vessel that attempted to bring humanitarian supplies to Gaza in June before being stopped by the Israeli navy.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump marked what he called a “very special day” on Friday, delivering brief remarks from the Oval Office after reports emerged that Hamas had agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages captured during the October 7 attacks, under a new framework deal tied to his Gaza peace initiative.

The news broke Friday afternoon, prompting immediate reaction from Washington, Jerusalem, and across the region. According to the announcement, Hamas agreed in principle to release every Israeli hostage still held in Gaza, contingent on conditions outlined in the Trump-brokered plan.

Shortly after the statement from Hamas was made public, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share his initial reaction. “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

Later that evening, Trump appeared on camera from the Oval Office, expressing gratitude to those who played a role in facilitating the deal. He said he was optimistic that the long-awaited reunion between the hostages and their families was finally within reach. The president described the development as a significant milestone toward broader stability in the region and reiterated his vision of achieving a “lasting peace” that would bring security both to Israel and its neighbors.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I want to thank the countries that helped me put this together. Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and so many others. So many people fought so hard.

This is a big day! We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete. Very importantly, I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents and having some of the hostages, unfortunately, you know the condition they’re in, come home likewise to their parents. Because their parents wanted them just as much as though that young man or young woman were alive.

So I just want to let you know that this is a very special day! Maybe unprecedented, in many ways it is unprecedented.

But thank you all and thank you all to those great countries that helped. We were given a tremendous amount of help.

Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end and seeing peace in the Middle East. And we’re very close to achieving that.

Thank you all and everybody will be treated fairly.
WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

A federal judge in Oregon has issued a temporary order halting the deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland, dealing a significant blow to the Trump administration’s plan to send federalized forces into the city.

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut, appointed by President Donald Trump, granted the temporary restraining order after the State of Oregon and the City of Portland jointly filed suit to prevent the deployment. The order will remain in effect until October 18, though it may be extended pending further hearings.

In her decision, Judge Immergut cited constitutional limits on federal authority, noting that the U.S. Constitution reserves to Congress the power to mobilize troops — referred to in the founding document as the “militia” — for specific purposes such as enforcing federal law, suppressing insurrection, or repelling invasion. She concluded that Trump’s unilateral effort to federalize the Oregon National Guard exceeded that authority and infringed upon the state’s sovereignty.

“This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs,” Immergut wrote in her ruling.

“This historical tradition boils down to a simple proposition: this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law. Defendants have made a range of arguments that, if accepted, risk blurring the line between civil and military federal power — to the detriment of this nation,” she added.

While the order is temporary, the court found that Oregon and Portland demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in their case, justifying the restraining order to block implementation of the September 28 directive federalizing the state’s National Guard.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek welcomed the ruling, calling it a vindication of constitutional limits on federal power. “Justice has been served, and the truth has prevailed,” she said.

“There is no insurrection in Portland. No threat to national security. No fires, no bombs, no fatalities due to civil unrest. The only threat we face is to our democracy — and it is being led by President Donald Trump,” Kotek added.

The court’s decision represents a legal setback for the Trump administration, which has sought to deploy National Guard units and other military forces in cities led by Democratic officials.

Last month, a federal judge in California also ruled against the administration’s use of military personnel in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer determined that such actions violated the Posse Comitatus Act, the 19th-century law barring the use of the U.S. military as a domestic police force.

In the Portland case, both the city and the state filed their lawsuit on September 28, requesting immediate judicial intervention to prevent troop deployment.

Just hours after Friday’s hearing — before Judge Immergut issued her ruling — U.S. Northern Command announced that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had already activated the 200 troops for federal service.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that Trump had directed Hegseth to call up the Oregon National Guard for a 60-day federal mission to protect federal installations and personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

A White House spokesperson signaled that the administration may appeal the ruling.

“President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement — we expect to be vindicated by a higher court,” said spokesperson Abigail Jackson.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield warned that the attempted deployment marked a dangerous moment for the nation. “We’re in an incredibly dangerous place in America right now,” he said.

Rayfield argued that the move appeared to be “the president’s attempt to normalize the United States military in our cities.”

Meanwhile, the administration has reportedly informed other states of similar plans. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was notified that the Department of Defense intends to federalize 300 members of the Illinois National Guard for deployment within his state.

Trump signed a separate order on September 15 authorizing the National Guard to be sent to Memphis, Tennessee — despite the state’s Republican leadership — citing a crackdown on urban crime. During that announcement, Trump suggested that “Chicago was probably next.”

Under U.S. law, governors typically control their state National Guards, but federalization transfers authority to the president. In Illinois, Pritzker said he was told by Defense Department officials to “call up your troops, or we will,” but he refused to comply.

“I want to be clear: there is no need for military troops on the ground in the State of Illinois,” Pritzker said. “I will not call up our National Guard to further Trump’s acts of aggression against our people.”

{Matzav.com}

As negotiations intensify over a comprehensive hostage deal and a potential end to the Gaza conflict, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu delivered a televised statement on Motzaei Shabbos — his first public comments since talks entered a critical phase. Before his address, Netanyahu convened a private meeting with Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to discuss the unfolding situation.

Opening his remarks, Netanyahu declared, “We are on the verge of a very significant achievement,” explaining, “It is not yet final, but we are working diligently, and I hope that in the coming days, during the Sukkot holiday, we will be able to announce the return of all our hostages—both living and deceased—in a single phase, while the IDF remains in the depths of the Gaza Strip and in key controlling areas.”

The prime minister reflected on the skepticism that marked the early months of the war, saying, “At the start of the war, a senior official said, ‘I doubt we can even bring back a single living hostage.’ Throughout the war, some argued that we could not secure the release of all hostages without a full withdrawal from Gaza. I disagreed and acted differently.” He noted that 207 hostages have already been brought home and vowed to continue working until every last one is returned.

Netanyahu credited the progress to sustained military pressure and coordinated diplomacy. He said Hamas’s willingness to move forward “because of the enhanced military and political pressure we applied,” underscoring that close coordination with President Donald Trump and his team had fundamentally shifted Israel’s strategic standing and left Hamas increasingly cornered.

Explaining the first phase of the emerging deal, Netanyahu stated, “Hamas will release all our hostages, and IDF forces will redeploy to maintain control over all key areas in Gaza.” He dismissed reports that Hamas had previously offered to release hostages without Israeli withdrawal as “false,” and emphasized that Israel resisted both domestic and international efforts to force a premature ceasefire or capitulation.

Calling the operation historic, Netanyahu cited the IDF’s battlefield gains, including control over Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, the targeted elimination of Hamas leaders, and the weakening of Iran’s regional network. He expressed gratitude to President Trump for supporting Israel’s campaign, including “strikes on Iran,” which he said contributed directly to Israel’s success.

Looking ahead, Netanyahu said Minister Ron Dermer would head an Israeli delegation to Egypt to finalize the technical aspects of the hostage exchange. Both Israel and the U.S., he said, aim to wrap up the process within days. He added that Trump had warned Hamas not to delay.

Regarding the next stage, Netanyahu stated, “Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized. This will happen either through the Trump plan diplomatically or by military means. It will be achieved, one way or another.”

Late Saturday night, President Trump called on Israel to temporarily halt strikes in Gaza, saying Hamas’s reaction to his plan suggested it was “ready for lasting peace.” In response, Netanyahu announced, “In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing to implement immediately the first phase of the Trump plan for the immediate release of all hostages.” He affirmed that Israel would “continue working in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war according to principles set by Israel that align with President Trump’s vision.”

Soon after, Trump posted on Truth Social urging urgency from Hamas: “If Hamas does not act fast, all the cards will be on the table. I appreciate that Israel temporarily halted strikes to allow for the hostages’ release and a peace agreement. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, fast. Everyone will be treated fairly.”

Hamas responded to Trump’s “20 Points” proposal by agreeing to release all hostages under the plan but sidestepped critical clauses regarding its disarmament. Trump hailed the move as a breakthrough and again called on Israel to cease airstrikes. By 3 a.m., a unilateral ceasefire had taken effect, and under Netanyahu’s orders, the IDF shifted from offensive operations to a defensive stance inside Gaza.

Sources later told Israeli media that Netanyahu was “surprised” by Trump’s public comments, triggering urgent late-night consultations. One Israeli official told CNN the prime minister was “doubly surprised,” explaining that Trump’s praise for Hamas’s partial response and his directive to halt airstrikes forced Israel to pause its offensive around Gaza City. Jerusalem had hoped to continue military pressure alongside negotiations, but Trump’s announcement limited its maneuvering room.

However, another senior Israeli diplomat insisted the move was coordinated with Washington. “Israel is not surprised,” the official said, explaining that while Jerusalem was deviating from its long-held principle of “negotiating only under fire,” the arrangement was unique. “We have never had a deal in which we receive all hostages, remain in Gaza and continue negotiations simultaneously.” He added that the ceasefire and Trump’s public statement were discussed in advance with Netanyahu and top U.S. officials, noting that the two leaders spoke directly before the announcement went out.

{Matzav.com Israel}

A flotilla of 10 boats, including one called ‘Conscience,’ set sail to deliver aid to Gaza and protest Israel’s blockade, marking the latest maritime effort to challenge the restrictions.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Antifa: “It’s a war… This is a full government effort to shut down these terrorists — and we will have success… It’s not just the men and women on the streets; it’s also the financing that’s behind them.”

Riot police confront protesters outside Georgia’s presidential palace following opposition calls for a “peaceful revolution” against the ruling Georgian Dream party over alleged authoritarianism and pro-Russian policies.

Tamir Morag, diplomatic correspondent for Israel’s Channel 14, suggested that the latest developments surrounding the Gaza ceasefire framework could be part of a calculated maneuver by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu designed to corner Hamas.

Morag urged Israel to approach the coming days as a test of Hamas’s intentions, arguing that the terror group’s response will determine the next phase of the conflict.

“Israel must test Hamas with this trial — let’s see if it releases all the hostages within 72 hours. If it doesn’t, Israel can dismantle it; and if it does — even better: we get the hostages back, and Hamas will continue refusing to disarm and leave Gaza — then Israel can dismantle it,” Morag said.

According to Morag, the structure of the proposed ceasefire and withdrawal plan may have been deliberately designed to create a lose-lose situation for Hamas. If the group refuses to comply with the terms, it will face intensified Israeli military action; if it does comply, it risks exposing its own weakness while still failing to meet international expectations for disarmament.

“It is very likely that this is a trap set by Trump and Netanyahu for Hamas,” Morag added, implying that the deal may have been strategically crafted to force the terror organization into an impossible position — either to release the hostages and lose leverage, or to reject the deal and face devastating consequences.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel has informed the United States that it intends to keep a military foothold in three strategic areas of Gaza for the foreseeable future, even after the broader withdrawal of IDF troops, Kan News reported.

The report stated that Israel plans to maintain its presence in a security buffer zone surrounding Gaza, along the Philadelphi Route bordering Egypt, and on “Hill 70,” a vital high-ground position overlooking Nachal Oz. That ridge once served as the eastern edge of Gaza City’s Shujaiya neighborhood and holds significant tactical importance.

Earlier in the evening, a senior diplomatic official reaffirmed that Israeli forces remain fully operational in Gaza and emphasized that no ceasefire agreement has been reached with Hamas.

“We are now in the first stage of this framework,” the source said. “The IDF remains in Gaza, and any withdrawal will be only to the yellow line and to the encirclement of Gaza City during the hostage release stage.”

The official added that this stage should not be mistaken for a truce. “No one is withdrawing at this point — this is a reduction of fire, not a ceasefire. In the first stage, all hostages will be released, and from there, negotiations will continue.”

{Matzav.com}

TRUMP: “I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed…”

President Donald Trump announced tonight that Israel has approved an initial withdrawal line as part of ongoing negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire.

“After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, which will bring us close to the end of this 3,000 YEAR CATASTROPHE. Thank you for your attention to this matter and, STAY TUNED!”

Trump included with his post a detailed map highlighting the agreed-upon withdrawal boundaries.

The map reveals that Israel will retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor—a narrow border zone between Egypt and Gaza—along with “Hill 70,” a key high-ground position overlooking Israeli communities.

Earlier in the evening, a senior diplomatic official emphasized that Israel has not declared a ceasefire and that its troops remain active inside Gaza.

“We are now in the first stage of this framework,” the source said. “The IDF remains in Gaza, and any withdrawal will be only to the yellow line and to the encirclement of Gaza City during the hostage release stage.”

The official further clarified that no full retreat is taking place yet. “No one is withdrawing at this point — this is a reduction of fire, not a ceasefire. In the first stage, all hostages will be released, and from there, negotiations will continue.”

{Matzav.com}