Israel awaits the release of hostages, as Palestinians return to the ruins of their homes

 U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff made a quick go to to Gaza on Saturday, a senior U.S. official confirmed to CBS Information. 

Witkoff accompanied the CENTCOM Commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, who’s working to construct a civil-military coordination middle to assist the stabilization pressure that is because of be deployed in Gaza. 

Cooper confirmed the go to to Gaza on social media Saturday, saying “America’s little children are answering the decision to ship peace within the Center East in assist of the Commander-in-Chief’s course in his historic second.”

President Trump’s 20-point plan requires a stabilization pressure, backed by the U.S. and Arab states, that might quickly oversee safety in Gaza. The pressure can be tasked with coaching “vetted Palestinian Police forces” in collaboration with Jordan and Egypt.

—Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.

Support teams are getting ready to scale up aid efforts because the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds up for a second day.

“When individuals get there, they’ll discover rubble. They will discover that their houses and their neighborhoods have been diminished to mud,” UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram instructed The Related Press on Friday.

UNICEF and its companions are urging Israel to reopen extra crossings to permit support to stream into Gaza extra freely. 

“A ceasefire alone just isn’t sufficient,” Ingram mentioned, talking from central Gaza. “Sure, it stops the killing and injuring of youngsters, hopefully, nevertheless it additionally wants to make sure a surge of humanitarian support that begins to deal with the large injury that has been executed over the previous two years.”

COGAT, the Israeli army physique accountable for humanitarian support, mentioned that greater than 500 vehicles entered Gaza on Friday, though many crossings stay closed. Meals safety consultants say that elements of the strip are nonetheless in a state of famine. UNICEF has 1,300 support vehicles able to enter, with extra on the best way, Ingram mentioned.

Tens of 1000’s of displaced Palestinians made their means again to their neighborhoods in northern Gaza on Saturday, waving via streets shrouded in mud and spoil.

Because the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems to carry, returning Palestinians hope to reclaim something from life left from earlier than the struggle.

“I heard my house was destroyed,” Rami Hamda mentioned, “however I am hoping I would be capable to salvage a few of my belongings. You may’t even discover a tent to remain in in the intervening time.”

For Umm Mohammad Al-Madoun, there’s nothing that continues to be from the life earlier than she fled the preventing.

“I did not discover my house, my neighbor’s, nothing,” she mentioned. “Every little thing was destroyed. There aren’t any houses, no life left … and the individuals who died are gone eternally.”

The preventing has killed tens of 1000’s of Palestinians, flattened complete neighborhoods, and displaced round 90% of Gaza’s greater than 2 million individuals. Many Gazans have been compelled to maneuver a number of occasions over the previous two years.

—By: CBS/AP

Simply earlier than an Israel-Hamas ceasefire went into impact Friday, which is step one in implementing part one in all President Trump’s peace plan to finish the struggle in Gaza, senior U.S. officers shared a timeline of the monthslong effort to place the deal collectively.

The trail to the deal stretches again to August, when Hamas accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal offered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. That proposal developed into the 20-point plan that Trump administration officers offered to Arab leaders final month for suggestions.

Read more here.

By Aaron Navarro and Jennifer Jacobs

Daniel Shapiro, who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel in the course of the Obama administration, mentioned Friday he’s “extremely assured” that the preliminary part of the Israel-Hamas deal — together with the hostage launch — will happen.

“Section one is already underway,” he instructed CBS Information chief Washington correspondent Main Garrett. “The weapons have fallen silent. After which over the following 72 hours, crucial aspect will occur. The hostages that they nonetheless maintain can be launched to Israel and to their households. A major quantity of support will stream into Gaza, a lot larger ranges than earlier than. Additionally, some Palestinian prisoners can be launched.”

Shapiro agreed with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the “actual arduous work of part two has barely begun,” referring to the longer-term parts of Mr. Trump’s 20-point peace plan. He mentioned that rebuilding Gaza and “getting some sort of dialogue going between Israelis and Palestinians a couple of political horizon” could possibly be contingent on disarming Hamas and eradicating it from energy.

“None of these issues will occur if Hamas nonetheless clings to energy and nonetheless poses a risk to Israel, or to proceed to crush the individuals of Gaza,” he mentioned.

Former Bush administration Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mentioned a two-state answer “is not more likely to be possible” proper now.

Throughout a dialog with CBS Information senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell on Friday, Rice praised the Trump administration for brokering a deal to finish the Israel-Hamas struggle, however doubted this may result in Palestinian statehood within the close to future.. She mentioned there are issues the Palestinians can do to organize for a future state – which would come with making reforms to what they train their kids.

“They have to begin to acknowledge that Israel goes to exist, and it is going to be part of this Center East,” Rice mentioned. “And meaning, change the teachings that you just train your youngsters concerning the state of Israel.”

She cautioned Palestinians to not “create one other era of Palestinians who consider that by some means the resistance is the best way to peace and safety.”

Former Obama administration Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who joined the dialog, mentioned Israel additionally has to take actions to safe peace, together with curbing settlement exercise within the West Financial institution. The Israeli authorities, she mentioned, “has to stop” encouraging settlers to grab extra land.

Learn the complete story here.

—By: Joe Walsh, Cara Tabachnick

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised President Trump for his function in brokering the Israel-Hamas peace deal throughout a dialog with CBS Information senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell on Friday. 

“I actually commend President Trump and his administration, in addition to Arab leaders within the area, for making the dedication to the 20-point plan and seeing a path ahead for what’s usually referred to as the day after,” Clinton mentioned.. 

Clinton was joined by former Bush administration Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who additionally applauded the Trump administration’s breakthrough as the primary stage of the deal took form. The ceasefire went into impact at midday native time (5 a.m. Japanese) and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from elements of Gaza began a 72-hour countdown for Hamas to launch all remaining Israeli hostages.

Rice mentioned she could not be assured this was the tip of the struggle “given the historical past of the Center East,” however she added that there are good causes to be optimistic. 

Learn the complete article here.

—By: Joe Walsh, Cara Tabachnick

Lots of of Palestinians returned to their houses on Friday in Gaza’s southern metropolis of Khan Younis to seek out wrecked buildings and rubble following the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

“There was nothing left. Only a few garments, items of wooden, and pots,” mentioned Fatma Radwan, who was displaced from jap Khan Younis. Folks have been nonetheless making an attempt to retrieve our bodies from underneath the rubble, she added. Others have been trying to find belongings.

Many buildings have been solely flattened; none have escaped injury.

“We got here to a spot that’s unidentifiable. An unidentifiable city. Destruction is all over the place,” mentioned Hani Omran, who was additionally displaced from jap Khan Younis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President Trump for serving to dealer the ceasefire deal and mentioned Russia stands prepared to assist implement it.

Putin mentioned that if the settlement is efficiently applied, it might mark a serious achievement and a “historic occasion.”

He famous that Russia has shut ties with the Palestinian authority and will assist perform the deal if requested.

“Making an allowance for the extent of belief that exists between Russia and our Arab pals, and particularly Palestinian pals, after all, I consider our participation could possibly be in demand,” Putin instructed reporters on a visit to Tajikistan.

“We’ll, after all, all the time be able to take part. Now we have been concerned on this for many years, and I believe Russia has one thing to say and one thing to supply to deal with the problems that can come up, a method or one other, in the course of the implementation of the agreements reached,” he mentioned.

Putin famous that he determined to postpone a Russia-Arab summit in Moscow that had been scheduled for Oct. 15 so as “to not intrude with the method that has been initiated by President Trump.”

Palestinians who left northern Gaza in the course of the many durations of preventing there have been seen trekking again to the realm on Friday, carrying what they might, photos confirmed.

Photos confirmed streams of individuals transferring north on Rashid Avenue, a coastal highway that hyperlinks the northern and southern elements of the Palestinian territory.  

Many individuals have been seen transferring on foot whereas others have been touring in vehicles or smaller automobiles.

Final month, Israel’s army ordered the evacuation of Gaza Metropolis within the northern a part of Gaza.

Photographs from Gaza Metropolis on Friday confirmed sweeping devastation.

The leaders of France, Germany and the U.Ok. praised the “vital developments” within the Center East in a joint assertion Friday, as the primary part of the Trump-brokered plan to finish the struggle between Israel and Hamas bought underway.

“We welcome the settlement on a ceasefire within the Center East, the deliberate launch of hostages, and the resumption of humanitarian support to the civilian inhabitants of Gaza,” French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned. “We pay tribute to President Trump’s management on the problem, to the diplomatic efforts of the mediators, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, and to the very important assist from the broader area to safe the settlement.”

“It’s now of utmost significance that every one events implement their obligations in full and directly,” they added within the assertion. “We stand able to assist additional talks on the following levels of the plan and to contribute to it.” 

Celebrations continued on Friday in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Sq. after the Israeli authorities agreed to the primary part of the White Home peace proposal.

Households gathered to mark the start of Shabbat, many becoming a member of in track.

Because the solar set, the sq. was full. Households of hostages have been establishing for Shabbat dinner in a constructing off the sq. – which they’re hoping can be their final earlier than the remaining hostages are freed. They deliberate to share the meal in personal, away from the media. 

Pictures taken on Friday confirmed American flags flying above streets in Jerusalem alongside Israeli flags.

Different photos confirmed a big billboard, in Tel Aviv, that includes President Trump and studying: “Thank You Mr. President.”

The United Nations Underneath-Secretary-Normal for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Reduction Coordinator Tom Fletcher outlined plans on Friday to get 172,000 metric tons “of food, medicine, tents” and different important supplies into the Gaza Strip within the coming days. 

“We intention at a whole bunch of truckloads day-after-day; meals to over 2m individuals; restoration of decimated well being system; 1.4m individuals reached with water and sanitation; 1000s of tents distributed each week; 700,000 youngsters again in training,” Fletcher mentioned in a social media post.

“We want all crossings open; secure routes; elimination of purple tape and bodily obstacles; energy restored to bakeries, hospitals, water stations; entry of at the least 1.9m litres of gasoline each week; safety of humanitarian staff; and NGO entry,” he mentioned.

An Israeli safety official instructed CBS Information on Friday that 600 vehicles carrying humanitarian support have been set to enter Gaza within the coming days, however there was no phrase from support companies about any vital enhance within the stream of such supplies into the war-torn enclave following a ceasefire taking impact.

UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler instructed Al Jazeera on Friday the U.N. company was nonetheless “ready for the sign” to start distributing support in Gaza, including a name for all border crossings into the enclave to be opened.

Fowler mentioned the U.N. had 6,000 support vehicles able to enter Gaza from Egypt and Jordan.

After over two years in captivity, Nimrod Cohen is among the many hostages set to be launched as a part of the Israel-Hamas peace deal. His father, Yehuda Cohen, mentioned Friday that the household was eagerly anticipating his return, however added that it was “too quickly to open champagne.” 

“We began to rely the 72 hours. We’re on the third hour,” Cohen told “CBS Mornings,” referring to the Monday deadline Hamas is dealing with to launch all the remaining Israeli hostages underneath the phrases of the settlement. “The champagne time will come.” 

Cohen mentioned he has no concept what situation his son is in. He can be in a “very protected space” after he returns, Cohen mentioned. 

He added that the household was keen to start rehabilitating Nimrod as quickly as potential, however they haven’t any set plans for a way his return will go. 

“It is not a play, it isn’t a present,” Cohen mentioned. “That is actuality, and we’re ready for that second of actuality.” 

2 hundred U.S. troops can be deployed to Israel to assist coordinate humanitarian and safety help, and they need to be in place by Sunday, a U.S. official instructed CBS Information on Friday. 

The U.S. personnel can be deployed from “inside the CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] area,” and can largely include U.S. Military members who specialise in logistics, communications, transportation and safety, the U.S. official mentioned. 

It is “the kind of experience that may make sure the stream of humanitarian help and likewise monitor the safety scenario in Gaza,” the official mentioned. 

The CENTCOM area is the realm of accountability for the U.S. army that encompasses the Center East, Central Asia and elements of South Asia.

The official careworn that no U.S. army personnel could be deployed contained in the Gaza Strip.

By Charlie D’Agata and Emmet Lyons 

A spokesman for the Israel Protection Forces mentioned Friday that the ceasefire in Gaza “is an emotional second for the individuals of Israel,” and for Israeli troopers.

“We’ll do all the pieces potential to guard the safety of the residents of the western Negev, the south and the complete nation,” Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin mentioned at a information convention, based on The Times of Israel.

He mentioned when Hamas launched its assault on Oct. 7, 2023, sparking the Gaza struggle, “crucial contract with the residents of Israel was violated. We weren’t there for Israeli residents at their most troublesome time.”

“Since then … we now have not stopped for a second, and we by no means will,” he mentioned.

Defrin mentioned that “Hamas right this moment just isn’t the Hamas of two years in the past,” including that the U.S.- and Israeli designated terrorist group, “has been defeated all over the place we fought it.”

The our bodies of 81 individuals have been recovered from varied areas throughout the Gaza Strip Friday morning, together with 73 in Gaza Metropolis, CBS Information’ group in Gaza reported Friday, citing hospital sources within the Palestinian territory.

Hamas police officers additionally returned to the streets of Gaza Metropolis following the Israeli army’s repositioning on Friday, our group in Gaza reported. 

Israeli troops launched a ground offensive within the metropolis, Gaza’s largest, in September, and so they had continued working there till Friday morning.

Gaza’s Hamas-run Ministry of Well being mentioned in a Fb publish on Friday that 17 individuals have been killed on account of Israeli army motion over the previous 24 hours.

A complete of 67,211 Palestinians have been killed because the struggle started, based on the ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatant and civilian casualties.

CBS Information’ Debora Patta mentioned Israel continued its army operations proper up till the ceasefire took impact on Friday morning.

The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, the volunteer-based group representing the households of Israeli hostages kidnapped in the course of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist assault, mentioned in an announcement Friday that “no chief or group has executed extra for peace around the globe than President Donald J. Trump.” 

“Whereas the Norwegian Nobel Committee selected a unique recipient this yr, the reality stays plain,” the group mentioned.  “President Trump’s unprecedented achievements in peacemaking this previous yr converse for themselves, and no award or lack thereof can diminish the profound affect he has had on our households and on international peace.” 

An Israeli police spokesperson mentioned Friday that preparations have been underway forward of an anticipated go to by President Trump to Israel on Monday. 

“The Israel Police is finishing preparations for the go to of the President of the USA, Mr. Donald Trump, to Israel, this coming Monday,” Superintendent David Filo, Head of the Police Operations Division, mentioned in an announcement Friday

“1000’s of law enforcement officials, Border Guard troopers and volunteers will function beginning within the early hours of Monday morning to offer safety, preserve public order and direct site visitors in the course of the state go to, which is predicted to final a number of hours,” Filo mentioned.

The Israeli Ministry of Justice launched on Friday a listing of 250 Palestinian prisoners anticipated to be launched as a part of the primary part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage launch deal.

Underneath the phrases of the deal, Palestinian prisoners are solely anticipated to go free after a 72-hour interval, by the tip of which all remaining Israeli hostages, dwelling and lifeless, are to be launched. That 72-hour interval ends on Monday afternoon in Israel. 

An Israeli official instructed CBS Information on Friday that Hamas would launch all of the remaining hostages by midday native time on Monday, which might be 5 a.m. Japanese. 

The Rafah crossing from southern Gaza into Egypt will reopen on Tuesday in coordination with European Union authorities and the White Home, the Italian Protection Ministry mentioned in an announcement Friday. 

“The Rafah crossing, on October 14, 2025, in compliance with the Trump settlement, in coordination between the European Union and the events, can be opened alternately in two instructions: exit in direction of Egypt and entry in direction of Gaza,” Italian Protection Minister Guido Crosetto mentioned within the assertion. 

Crosetto additionally mentioned that operations for the discharge of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners would start Sunday. 

The EU Border Help Mission at Rafah — a civilian mission that gives a impartial third celebration presence on the Gaza-Egypt border —  can be current to observe the border’s reopening, the protection minister mentioned.

CBS Information’ group in Gaza reported Friday that displaced Gazans had begun returning to northern elements of the war-torn enclave, because the Israeli army partially withdrew its forces according to the ceasefire settlement. 

Displaced Palestinians have been seen touring up Al Rasheed highway, the principle artery alongside Gaza’s Mediterranean coast. 

Eyewitnesses reported seeing full-scale destruction in Gaza Metropolis, the place Israeli forces had been conducting floor operations proper up till Friday morning when the ceasefire took impact. 

Witnesses instructed CBS Information that intensive injury was seen in neighborhoods throughout Gaza Metropolis, and in Al-Shati Refugee Camp on town’s western aspect.

Worldwide Purple Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric mentioned Friday that the return of hostages and Palestinian prisoners have to be carried out “safely and with dignity” 

“ICRC groups in Israel, Gaza and the West Financial institution will assist its implementation by serving to to return hostages and detainees to their households. We’re additionally prepared to assist return human stays so households can mourn their family members with dignity,” Spoljaric mentioned. “The ceasefire should maintain. Lives depend upon it.” 

An Arab diplomat and a supply accustomed to the negotiations instructed The Occasions of Israel newspaper that Hamas had agreed throughout talks in Egypt to not maintain public ceremonies in the course of the handover of hostages to Israel, because it had executed throughout earlier releases.

Gal Hirsch, the Hostage and Lacking Individuals Coordinator for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Workplace, instructed CBS Information on Thursday that a world group could be established to find lacking hostages “within the coming days.” 

Hamas had mentioned in an announcement final week that it had agreed to the discharge of all Israeli hostages — dwelling and lifeless — offered “that applicable discipline circumstances are ensured for the alternate course of.”

Israeli officers have mentioned it’s believed that solely 20 of the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza are nonetheless alive. 

President Trump’s senior envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday in a social media publish that the U.S. army’s Central Command had “confirmed that the Israeli Protection Forces accomplished the primary part withdrawal to the yellow line at 12PM native time,” including that the “72 hour interval” for Hamas to launch all remaining Israeli hostages “has begun.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned Friday that Israel is “tightening the noose round Hamas from all sides,” and vowed that Gaza could be demilitarized following the Israeli authorities’s approval of a peace plan to finish the struggle. 

“Hamas will disarm and Gaza can be demilitarized. If this may be achieved the simple means, all the higher; if not, will probably be achieved the arduous means,” Netanyahu mentioned, addressing reporters. 

The Israeli chief defended his document in prosecuting the struggle in Gaza, which has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, based on Hamas-run Gaza well being authorities. 

“Anybody who claims that this hostage deal was all the time on the desk is solely not telling the reality. Hamas by no means agreed to launch all of the hostages whereas we remained deep contained in the Strip. It agreed solely when the sword was on its neck, and that sword remains to be there,” Netanyahu mentioned. 

An Israeli safety supply instructed CBS Information on Friday that 600 vehicles carrying humanitarian support have been set to enter Gaza within the coming days because the ceasefire takes maintain.

The vehicles can be from United Nations companies, in addition to different authorised worldwide organizations, the personal sector and donor nations, the safety supply mentioned. 

The help will primarily include “meals, medical tools, shelter tools, in addition to gasoline to function important techniques and cooking fuel.”

“Residents can be allowed to depart via the Rafah Crossing in coordination with Egypt, after safety approval by Israel and underneath the supervision” of a European Union delegation,” the supply instructed CBS Information. 

A spokesperson for the U.N. workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs instructed CBS Information Friday that an expanded stream of support had not but been allowed into the war-torn Palestinian enclave. UNRWA, the U.N. company for Palestinian refugees, additionally mentioned there had been no enhance within the stream of support into Gaza early on Friday.

Massive plumes of smoke billowed into the skies above Gaza on Friday morning, and CBS Information’ Debora Patta mentioned Israeli bombs continued to fall on the Palestinian territory proper up till the ultimate hours earlier than the army mentioned the ceasefire had taken impact.

Israeli officers had mentioned on Thursday that the ceasefire would take impact instantly upon the federal government’s approval of the deal, which got here late Thursday night, however the explosions continued for hours after that.

An Israeli army spokesperson mentioned in an Arabic language assertion directed at residents of Gaza on Friday that the “Israel Protection Forces (IDF) will stay stationed in designated areas inside the Gaza Strip.”

“Don’t strategy IDF forces in these areas till additional discover. Approaching these forces places you at severe danger,” the spokesperson mentioned. 

An Israeli official instructed CBS Information that Hamas would launch all excellent hostages by midday native time on Monday, which might be 5 a.m. Japanese. 

President Trump mentioned Thursday that all the remaining Israeli hostages, together with the our bodies of deceased hostages held in Gaza, would possible be launched “Monday or Tuesday” as a part of the peace deal. 

Israeli officers consider there are nonetheless 48 individuals held captive in Gaza, 20 of whom are considered alive.

The Israeli army mentioned Friday {that a} ceasefire in Gaza got here into impact at midday native time (5 a.m. Japanese)  and that Israeli troops had begun withdrawing from elements of Gaza as a part of the primary part of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan to finish the two-year struggle and produce house the remaining Israeli hostages.

“Since 12:00, IDF troops started positioning themselves alongside the up to date deployment traces in preparation for the ceasefire settlement and the return of hostages,” the Israel Protection Forces mentioned in an announcement Friday.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace instructed CBS Information’ accomplice community BBC Information that Israeli troops would withdraw to a line leaving them answerable for 53% of Gaza within the first part of the plan. 

President Trump had mentioned Wednesday on his Reality Social platform that Israel “will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line” as step one in direction of his 20 level peace proposal to finish the struggle in Gaza.