Axios: Trump convenes summit on Gaza's future next week. Israel completes troop withdrawal

The Gaza Civil Defence has reported that around 200,000 people have returned to the north of the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire came into force, according to Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for the organisation, which provides first aid and operates under the authority of the Islamist movement Hamas. The pictures show an unbroken line of people heading towards the north of the territory, where the Israeli army has warned that several areas remain 'extremely dangerous' for the civilian population.

US troops have begun pouring into Israel to participate in the mission to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, CNN reports, citing Trump Administration sources.

The number of US personnel is expected to be around 200, with no information on the deployment zone at the moment.

US President Donald Trump intends to convene a summit with heads of state and government next week to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip, Axios reports. The summit has been organised by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and is expected to be attended by the leaders or foreign ministers of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Indonesia. According to Axios, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not currently expected to attend.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan today to review the preparations for the reception of the hostages from Gaza after their expected return to Israel at the beginning of next week. Netanyahu - his office announced - "praised the medical teams for their readiness to receive the hostages and their families".

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner were intercepted by a reporter from Tagada, on La7, while they were visiting the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. At the Wall, Witkoff told reporters that he was "very happy" with the ceasefire that had just been signed in Gaza. "We are very happy that the hostages will be freed on Monday," he said, adding that "President Trump is coming here and many lives will be saved." "We feel blessed," Witkoff concluded.

The United Nations has received the go-ahead from Israel to begin delivering aid to Gaza starting Sunday, according to a UN official who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press as details have not yet been made public. The aid will include 170,000 metric tons of supplies already placed in neighbouring countries, such as Jordan and Egypt. In recent months, according to UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, the UN and its humanitarian partners have only been able to deliver 20 percent of the aid needed in the Gaza Strip.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, his daughter Ivanka Trump and the tycoon's son-in-law Jared Kushner visited the Wailing Wall in Gersualemme. Witkoff told reporters that he was "very happy" with the newly signed ceasefire in Gaza, which he helped broker for President Trump. "We are very happy that the hostages will be freed on Monday," he added, "there will be peace and many lives will be saved.

"Me at the summit in Egypt? The President of the Council has been invited," said Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a meeting in Florence before the closing event of the centre-right's election campaign in Tuscany, responding to a question on the official signing ceremony of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. "The meeting should be held on Monday" but neither date nor place are official yet, he added.

“L’intervista voleva manifestare la presenza e la partecipazione della Santa Sede a quanto era avvenuto il 7 di ottobre voleva essere un invito alla pace. Non credo ci sia equivalenza morale tra l’una e l’altra situazione. Dove c’è violenza c’è sempre da condannare. Si voleva esprimere il desiderio di mettere fine a questa violenza e di avviare un cammino di conciliazione e di pace”. Così il Segretario di Stato della Santa Sede, cardinale Pietro Parolin, rispondendo ai giornalisti a margine di un evento all’Università Urbaniana a Roma in merito all’attacco dell’ambasciata Israeliana presso la Santa Sede dopo l’intervista rilasciata dal porporato a L’Osservatore Romano dell’anniversario del 7 ottobre. “L’intervista voleva manifestare la presenza e la partecipazione della Santa Sede a quanto era avvenuto il 7 di ottobre voleva essere un invito alla pace. Non credo ci sia equivalenza morale tra l’una e l’altra situazione. Dove c’è violenza c’è sempre da condannare. Si

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 17 Palestinians were killed and 71 injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza in the last 24 hours. The total death toll has risen to 67,211 since 7 October 2023, the ministry said.

An Israeli negotiating team of mid-level officials will remain in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to continue work on the agreement based on the Trump plan, after the go-ahead for the implementation of the first phase of the understanding. This was indicated by an Israeli official to the Times of Israel. "Immediately after the release of the hostages," the focus will be on the second phase of the agreement, which includes the disarmament of Hamas and the governance of Gaza, the official explained.

The Israeli Ministry of Justice has published the list of 250 prisoners who will be released in exchange for the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip, according to the agreement with Hamas brokered by the United States. The list does not include the names of important Palestinian militant leaders who are considered symbols of the resistance and whose release was demanded by Hamas. Among the big absentees are the names of Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Hassan Salameh and Abbas al-Sayyed. Barghouti, sentenced to five life sentences for murder and considered a terrorist by Israel, is described by his supporters as the 'Palestinian Mandela'.

Minister Tajani's briefing on the Middle East peace accords will be held in Montecitorio on Wednesday at 9 a.m. The Chamber of Deputies announced this. At 11 a.m. the minister will be in the Senate.

"In recent months, Italy has provided its aid. It has done so mainly through the 'Food for Gaza' initiative. However, this one of ours as well as the many actions put in place by numerous countries have unfortunately only concerned a minimal part of those who have suffered the cruelty of military actions. These sufferings - like all those suffered - will remain inscribed in the DNA of the new generations, undermining any possibility of a future of peace without a truly historic and therefore involving political perspective for the Palestinians. A perspective that absorbs and removes the high risks of new explosions of violence, the result of the amount of resentment and rancour accumulated in this tragic period. Peace must be acquired in the souls of peoples, otherwise it is not peace", said the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, speaking at the Arraiolos summit.

"The ceasefire agreement has come into force. We are monitoring the withdrawal of the Israeli army in accordance with the agreement," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told the Saudi Al-Arabiya television network, adding that "the Palestinians have confirmed that they will thwart any attempt to displace. We will not give Israel any excuse to return to war."

"Some Italians who were on the Conscience and the Madleens are returning": this was announced on its Facebook page by the Freedom Flotilla Italy, inviting people to "go and welcome them". The organisation specified that it would "shortly release the complete list of arrivals".

Nine are the Italians who were on board the flagship of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (Ffc), Conscience, and the other eight boats of the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (Tmtg) seized by Israeli forces two days ago about 120 nautical miles off the coast of the Gaza Strip. The operation involved more than 150 people, including doctors, nurses, journalists and activists, bringing medical aid to food worth more than $110,000.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli security forces will remain in Gaza until Hamas is disarmed. In statements to the press Netanyahu thanked "the Israeli security forces who have defended our homeland" and said that by remaining in the Strip Israel will "squeeze Hamas from all sides in preparation for the next stages of the plan".

The Turkish army is ready 'for whatever mission it is assigned', Defence Ministry spokesman Zeki Aktürk said today in response to a question on whether the army will join a task force to monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, as announced yesterday by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The IDF announces that it has completed its withdrawal to Gaza as stipulated in the agreement.

Israeli fighter jets conducted air raids on Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip, after the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave its go-ahead to the ceasefire agreement. al-Jazeera reports. There are currently no reports of casualties.

The activities of the Italian Carabinieri of the Eubam Rafah mission at the Gaza-Egypt border crossing will resume, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced in a note.

"After consulting and discussing with President Giorgia Meloni and Minister Tajani, following an assessment of the security conditions carried out by the Inter-Forces Operational Summit Command, I authorised the Defence Chief of Staff, General Portolano, to order the resumption of Italian activities within the Eubam Rafah mission, in which Carabinieri personnel are taking part, to reopen the crossing in the same way as in January 25, in coordination with the Farnesina".

- There are no plans for British or European troops to be present in Gaza after the ceasefire agreement, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was quoted as saying by British media reports. "It's not in our plans, we have no intention of doing that," she told BBC Breakfast. "But there is an immediate proposal," she said, "for the US to lead what is effectively a monitoring process to make sure that this happens on the ground. But they have also made it clear that they expect troops on the ground to be provided by neighbouring states, and that is something we expect to happen."

- "On Monday there is the big ceremony for the official signing of the agreement and I believe that our Prime Minister will also be invited, so I was told yesterday by the Egyptian foreign minister," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Restart on Rai Tre.

Overnight and this morning, the IDF began withdrawing troops to the Gaza Strip according to the agreed deployment lines, as part of the agreement with Hamas. Some forces have been completely withdrawn from Gaza, while others will remain in positions along the deployment lines. The Times of Israel reports. The withdrawal took place under the cover of artillery shelling and air strikes in some areas. The IDF is expected to complete the withdrawal by tonight, within 24 hours of the official ratification of the agreement with Hamas by the Israeli government

For Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, it is not 'scandalous' to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump, he told Mattino Cinque: 'Why scandalous?' he said in response to a question: 'I think they decided beforehand who to give it to. Today we will know. But the results are there. You may like Trump more or less, you may agree more or less with his policies, but it is objective that he has worked and obtained a positive result.

Israel is on high security alert ahead of the US president's arrival. At the moment, the provisional schedule of his visit - revealed by the media - predicts that Donald Trump is expected to land at Ben Gurion airport at 9.20 a.m. on Monday morning where there will be a reception, as estimated by the Knesset. That is, before the start of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. After his speech to the Israeli parliament, the president is expected to conclude his short visit and return, without any further meetings or special ceremonies.

The truce reached in the Middle East over Gaza is 'the beginning of a path' and is certainly 'fragile' at the moment, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Mattino Cinque today.

'It is the beginning of a journey. Of course the truce remains fragile: it is up to us to work to strengthen it, and of course for the parties that have fought until tonight to play their part,' Tajani said.

"There will be 200 US soldiers on the ground in Gaza as part of a joint task force to help support and monitor the ceasefire agreement," a senior White House official said in a call attended by ANSA. (

An IDF reservist soldier was killed yesterday afternoon in a Hamas sniper attack in Gaza city, according to an army announcement. The Times of Israel reports. The sniper attack came after Israeli and Hamas negotiators had signed an agreement in Egypt to secure the release of all hostages held by the terrorist group in Gaza. The ceasefire under the agreement had not yet come into effect when the attack was launched

With the Israeli government's approval of the agreement, the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect immediately, as provided for in the document signed in Egypt on Thursday morning and ratified at half past midnight (Italian time) by the Jerusalem executive. The IDF will withdraw up to the Yellow Line indicated in the agreement's maps within the next 24 hours, at the end of which Hamas will have to release all the living hostages within 72 hours.

Hamas condemned the Israeli attack on a residential building in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, saying that more than 70 civilians were killed or injured, most of whom are still under the rubble. A 'heinous massacre', Hamas called it in a statement on Telegram, which 'constitutes yet another brutal crime' by Israel.

"The systematic massacres and crimes committed by the occupation against defenceless civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, embody the true face of this hateful and bloodthirsty entity and reveal the insistence of its fascist government to continue the genocide to the last moment," Hamas said.

The IDF confirms that it carried out an airstrike in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City this evening, saying that the target was a cell of Hamas members who 'operated close to the IDF and posed an immediate threat to IDF troops operating in the area', the Times of Israel reports. The Hamas-run Gaza Civil Defence Agency reported that the attack caused a building to collapse, with around 40 people trapped under the rubble, adding that four bodies were recovered.

The IDF confirms that it carried out an airstrike in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City this evening, claiming to have targeted a Hamas cell whose members 'operated close to the forces and posed an immediate threat to IDF troops operating in the area'. The Times of Israel reported this. The Hamas-run Gaza Civil Defence Agency reported that the attack caused a building to collapse, with around 40 people trapped under the rubble. Four bodies were extracted.

The White House envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are attending the Israeli government meeting from which, in all likelihood, the go-ahead will come for the implementation of the agreement to release the hostages and the ceasefire in Gaza. This was reported by the Israeli press, pointing out that Witkoff and Kushner met earlier with the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the president, Isaac Herzog.

According to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Civil Defence Agency, more than 40 Palestinians are trapped under the rubble of a building bombed today by the Israeli army in the Sabra quarter of Gaza City. Two women were rescued after the attack, while four lifeless bodies were extracted from the building. Rescue efforts, the agency says, continue 'under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions'. The IDF has not yet issued a statement on the incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is meeting with the US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner in his office, Israeli media report.

The Houthis have made it known that they will remain "vigilant and ready" if the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel is fulfilled, before halting their operations. "We will remain vigilant and fully prepared, and we will monitor the implementation phase of this agreement. Will this agreement actually bring an end to the aggression on the Gaza Strip?" asked Yemeni rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi. "This was our initial goal. We must maintain the highest levels of vigilance and preparedness and continue with our extraordinary momentum," he added. Since 7 October 2023, the Houthis have launched a series of attacks against Israel and passing ships in the Gulf of Aden as a "sign of solidarity with the Palestinian people".

"We have received reassurances from the brotherly mediators and the US administration that the war is completely over," Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said, as reported by al Jazeera. Al-Hayya added that 250 Palestinians serving life sentences in Israeli jails will be released as part of the deal, along with the 1,700 Palestinians in Gaza arrested since the war began.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged mediators to "convince the Israelis to reduce tensions or cease fire" until the agreement to end the war in Gaza was signed during a meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, saying that developments in Gaza, where Israeli attacks continued throughout the day, "may not be in the spirit of the agreement". The Egyptian president's statement highlights concerns about the transition period between the announcement of the agreement and its official signing. Al-Sisi, whose country played a key role in the mediation, called for the ceasefire to be respected de facto even before the agreement was formalised, lest continued military operations undermine the trust needed to implement the agreement.

Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, told Al Araby TV station that Israeli forces "are expected to withdraw from all densely populated areas, particularly Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Yunis, and also the northern region", as stipulated in the Gaza Strip ceasefire agreement. "The exchange is scheduled for Monday," the Hamas official confirmed about the Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages, recalling that "today the Israeli government is expected to officially announce the approval of the agreement, including the lists of detainees who will be released from Israeli jails".

"Then on Friday, there will be a procedural hearing in the Israeli Supreme Court to consider any appeals," Hamdan stressed. "After that, on Saturday, the final details regarding the release of the prisoners and the return of the bodies will be exchanged. Implementation on the ground is scheduled for Monday," he said, stressing that "five crossings will be opened to allow the entry of humanitarian aid trucks. 400 trucks will be allowed in on the first day, and within a few days the number will rise to 600 trucks."

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the names of Palestinian prisoners who will be released as part of the agreement on the first phase of the Trump plan. This was reported by the Haaretz website, citing Al-Arabiya. According to the Israeli newspaper, the government is expected to approve the list later today, after the conclusion of the security cabinet meeting. A total of 250 prisoners held in Israeli jails and some 1,700 Gazans in prison since 7 October are scheduled to be released.

Donald Trump ha raggiunto il più grande risultato diplomatico del suo secondo mandato e forse della sua storia alla Casa Bianca. Il successo nell’impresa in Medio Oriente rappresenta per lui la prova definitiva per accreditarsi come mediatore e pacificatore e spianargli la strada verso il premio Nobel per la Pace che tanto ambisce ma che difficilmente otterrà, almeno quest’anno. Sarebbe il quinto presidente americano a riceverlo - oltre al vicepresidente ambientalista Al Gore e al segretario di Stato Henry Kissinger - e sicuramente il più controverso. Ma molto potrebbe andare storto nei prossimi giorni e anni in Medio Oriente, come spesso accade, e l’accordo annunciato mercoledì sera potrebbe rivelarsi l’ennesima tregua temporanea in una guerra iniziata con la fondazione di Israele nel 1948 e mai terminata. Per non parlare del fatto che, come ha sottolineato Thomas Friedman in un’analisi sul New York Times, mantenere insieme i pezzi della pace negli anni a venire sarà come cercare di risolvere

Per il momento il tycoon e il suo team di negoziatori - la strana coppia formata dal genero Jared Kushner, già architetto degli accordi di Abramo con affari miliardari nel Golfo, e l’inviato ufficiale Steve Witkoff - si godono il loro trionfo, mentre nel mondo tutti si interrogano come sia riuscito The Donald a passare dal piano, al limite del macchiettistico, della Riviera di Gaza, ad una proposta ben strutturata in 20 punti che ha convinto sia Israele che Hamas. Fondamentale è stato il coinvolgimento degli arabi: non solo l’Egitto e l’Arabia Saudita ma soprattutto il Qatar e la Turchia che tengono le redini del gruppo militante palestinese. Anche giocare la carta Tony Blair è stato un colpo da maestro del tycoon, forse suggeritogli da Kushner-Witkoff. Ma fondamentale è stato anche che l’Iran e la sua rete - Hezbollah, gli Houthi, le milizie sciite in Iraq - abbiano subito un colpo devastante da parte di Israele, con l’aiuto degli Stati Uniti, in quella che è stata chiamata la Guerra dei 12 gi

Sarà un’unità speciale delle forze armate israeliane a ricevere gli ostaggi rilasciati all’interno di Gaza dalla Croce Rossa, in modo simile ai precedenti scambi. Da lì, gli ostaggi saranno condotti in un centro di accoglienza e screening medico vicino alla base di Re’im, e poi trasportati in elicottero agli ospedali in tutto Israele. Lo scrive Ynet. Nonostante il coordinamento con Hamas e la Croce Rossa, i funzionari della difesa israeliani hanno avvertito che la folla a Gaza potrebbe tentare di accerchiare i veicoli degli ostaggi prima o durante il trasferimento. L’Idf ha ammonito Hamas e sta predisponendo piani di emergenza, che includono l’uso di attacchi aerei e misure di dispersione della folla - e, in casi estremi, l’intervento via terra - qualora si verificassero attacchi del genere. I corpi degli ostaggi deceduti saranno invece trasferiti alla squadra speciale dell’Idf all’interno di Gaza, quindi portati oltre confine per l’identificazione forense prima che le famiglie vengano in

UN humanitarian aid chief Tom Fletcher says 170 thousand tonnes of aid is ready to be sent to Gaza and adds that there should be "no backtracking" on the agreement. Speaking to reporters, Fletcher said 170 thousand tonnes of medicines, aid and other supplies are ready to be sent as soon as the green light comes. "We are ready to go," Fletcher said, warning that there should be "no backtracking" by either side of the agreement. He outlined plans for the first 60 days of the ceasefire, which will include an increase in the supply of supplies to hundreds of trucks each day. "We will increase the supply of food throughout Gaza to reach 2.1 million people who need food aid and about 500 thousand people who need nutrition," he said.

"We have ended the war in Gaza and, in fact, on a much broader basis, we have created peace," US President Donald Trump said during a meeting at the White House with his cabinet secretaries. Trump added: "I believe it will be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace, peace in the Middle East."

"Gaza will be rebuilt," Donald Trump said, stating that he believed rich Arab countries would "come forward" with funding for reconstruction.

“Questa prima fase dell’accordo su Gaza è un passo importante verso la pace. Naturalmente, ora dobbiamo pianificare il giorno dopo. Per funzionare ogni piano ha bisogno di supporto internazionale. L’Ue è pronta a fare la sua parte, ridispiegando la nostra missione Eubam al valico di Rafah e discutendo cosa si può fare con il mandato Eupol Copps per aiutare la forza di stabilizzazione quando arriverà”. Lo afferma l’Alta rappresentante Ue per gli Affari esteri, Kaja Kallas, a Parigi per partecipare alla riunione sull’implementazione del piano di pace statunitense per porre fine alla guerra a Gaza. “Siamo pronti a discutere cosa possiamo contribuire al piano di pace di modo che sia sostenibile”, aggiunge. Kallas si riferisce sia alla missione Ue di assistenza al valico di frontiera di Rafah tra Gaza ed Egitto, che monitora e supporta le operazioni di controllo frontaliero (Eubam Rafah), sia alla missione di polizia dell’Ue nei territori palestinesi che fornisce assistenza tecnica e formazio

Gioia, spari in aria, fuochi d’artificio, gente in strada a festeggiare. La notizia dell’accordo per Gaza, rimbalzata da Sharm el Sheik quando nell’enclave era orami notte fonda, ha immediatamente acceso la speranza a Gaza. Un’esplosione di sollievo dopo tanti mesi di bombe, morte e distruzione. Ma in pochi ci credono fino in fondo. “Ci siamo trovati in situazioni simili molte volte, Israele potrebbe riprendere la guerra dopo aver ottenuto il rilascio di tutti gli ostaggi, non ci fidiamo mai di loro”, racconta Abu Baker, 54 anni, sfollato da Gaza City nella zona meridionale per 18 mesi, che ha perso sua figlia e i suoi nipoti nei primi 15 giorni di guerra, quando Israele ha attaccato il quartiere del campo profughi di Jabalia. “È troppo presto per festeggiare la fine della guerra”, aggiunge senza alzare lo sguardo e senza nascondere la paura. Non solo di altri attacchi prima che scatti la tanto attesa tregua come - spiega - usa fare Israele ogni volta che si profila un cessate il fuoco: “In

Israeli settlements increase the 'existential threat' to the Palestinian state, says French President Emmanuel Macron at the Paris conference on Gaza and the Middle East.

The signing of the first phase of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas has made Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejoice: "I am very proud of the silent but constant work that Italy has done, to remind us that peace is built by working on it and not just by waving flags," the Prime Minister emphasises, pointing out: "It is extraordinary news, I imagine that everyone understands that this is a historic day," and then continues: "We must give credit to the extraordinary work carried out in particular by Trump, but we must also thank the mediators who have been numerous in these hours. There has been teamwork that has been extremely valuable and that allows us to begin a new phase today. The tenant of Palazzo Chigi also reiterates that "Italy is ready to contribute to the stabilisation, reconstruction and development of Gaza.

Vice-Premier Matteo Salvini goes further: 'If the guns finally fall silent, President Donald Trump truly deserves the Nobel Peace Prize'. And Foreign Minister and Blue Council Vice-President Antonio Tajani emphasises that the tycoon, should he achieve the goal of peace, which 'is as close as ever', 'would certainly have the qualifications' to aspire for the Nobel.

A ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip has not yet been signed due to disagreements over the list of several Palestinian prisoners whose release is demanded by Hamas, said Walid Kilani, spokesman in Lebanon for the Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist movement.

"A ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip has not yet been signed due to disagreements over the list of imprisoned Palestinian leaders who should be released from Israeli jails. These include Marwan Barghouti, Abdullah Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Ibrahim Hamed and Hassan Salama," Kilani said.

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said he had instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) to "respond with great force" to any attempt by Hamas to harm Jewish state forces in the Gaza Strip, just as the government is preparing to approve a ceasefire in the enclave.

Katz held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and other senior officers ahead of tonight's Security Cabinet and Council of Ministers meetings, which are expected to approve the ceasefire agreement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin today hoped that Donald Trump's initiatives on Palestine would be 'realised'. Putin, quoted by the Interfax news agency, added that Moscow remains in contact with Israel on the Iranian nuclear situation and is sending 'signals' from Tehran to the Israeli leadership.

(Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

The Presidency of Israel announced in a note that 'in light of the release of the hostages and the arrival of US President Donald Trump in Israel, and the planned closures in Jerusalem, the celebration of the "Open Sukkah" (the Jewish holiday of huts) planned for next Sunday is cancelled'.

Israel does not intend to release Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouti, described as a 'terrorist' by Tel Aviv, as part of the deal reached with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli government spokesman said. "I can tell you as of now that he will not be involved in this release," spokesman Shosh Bedrosian told reporters, according to a report in the Times of Israel. Barghouti is serving five life sentences for his role in planning terrorist attacks that killed five Israelis during the Second Intifada.

The Health Minister of Hamas-ruled Gaza reported that 10 people were killed and 49 wounded under Israeli army fire in the Strip in the last 24 hours, Israeli and Palestinian media reported. The total number of casualties since the war began two years ago has risen to 67,194 dead and 169,890 wounded, the ministry added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an ''emotional'' telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump after the announcement of the agreement reached on Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

This was stated by a spokeswoman for the Israeli premier's office, Shosh Bedrosian, when meeting with reporters. "In a phone call this morning, Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his commitment to global leadership that made all this possible," Bedrosian said. "It was a very emotional and affectionate conversation, during which both leaders congratulated each other on this historic achievement," she added.

I membri dell’equipaggio della Freedom Flotilla Coalition e della Thousand Madleens si trovano attualmente nel carcere di Ketziot, nel deserto del Naqab (Negev). Lo fanno sapere gli avvocati di Adalah, l’organizzazione legale attiva nei territori palestinesi occupati, che hanno seguito le prime fasi del trasferimento dal porto di Ashdod. I legali hanno riferito che non hanno potuto portare con sé telefoni cellulari all’interno del porto e non gli è stato consentito di incontrare tutti i 145 volontari a bordo delle imbarcazioni della Freedom Flotilla Coalition e della Thousand Madleens to Gaza, tra cui nove italiani. Le imbarcazioni erano state intercettate all’alba di ieri, a circa 120 miglia nautiche da Gaza da unità navali israeliane. A bordo della nave principale, la Conscience, c’erano personale medico e giornalisti.

A ceasefire will begin in Gaza within 24 hours of the Israeli Cabinet meeting scheduled for this evening. This was announced by an Israeli government spokeswoman, Shosh Bedrosian, explaining that a Cabinet meeting will be held at 5pm local time and an hour later, at 5pm Italian time. "Within 24 hours of the Cabinet meeting, a ceasefire will begin in Gaza," the spokeswoman said, adding that thereafter the IDF will redeploy on a line that will bring the army to control and hold about 53% of the Gaza Strip. After that, Hamas will have 72 hours to release the hostages remaining in Israel

Gaza sources report clashes at this time between Hamas cells and the opposition Abu Warda family in the Gaza port area, in which three members of the terrorist organisation were reportedly killed. In addition, two members of the Abu Warda family were reportedly killed and dozens of displaced persons were reportedly injured. Israeli media also report this.

"The final draft of phase one was signed this morning in Egypt by all parties for the release of all hostages," said Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem accused Israel of "manipulating the dates, lists, and some of the procedures and steps agreed in the ceasefire agreement", claiming that the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to postpone the implementation of the agreement for internal reasons.

In an interview granted to al Jazeera, Qassem stated that Netanyahu "is trying to show the population that he is the one in control of the situation, making the decisions and managing everything", adding that Hamas "maintains contacts with the mediators to force the occupation to comply with what was agreed and to prevent it from buying time".

"Discussions are ongoing" on the planning of US President Donald Trump's visit to Israel, a Jewish state official told the Times of Israel.

According to reports, the visit will be very quick, with public broadcaster Kan reporting that the White House tenant may only be on the ground for eight hours in total.

"The agreement between Hamas and Israel rekindles hope in the local population. This morning I met many people here in Jerusalem and they all want to start again from this news. We know that the path to peace is still long but, like all paths, it is made up of steps. Today's is certainly a step forward, a positive sign that leaves room for others in the future". This is how the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, commented to Sir on the reaching of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Channel 12 news reported that in the last hour, two different terrorist cells in Gaza tried to attack Israeli troops and were eliminated. There were no casualties among the military. During the night, however, two IDF soldiers were injured after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device in the north of the Strip. The soldiers were transported to hospital, the army said.

If the peace plan between Israel and Hamas goes ahead, Donald Trump could have a legitimate claim to the Nobel Peace Prize to which he so aspires like the four American presidents who have won it in the past (Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Barack Obama, and Jimmy Carter). The New York Times reports this, pointing out that Trump is on the verge of "achieving the greatest diplomatic achievement of his second term". For Trump, the "success" of the peace agreement "represents definitive proof of his goal as a mediator and peacemaker" and is part of the "road to that Nobel Peace Prize" he has long wanted

In the course of negotiations, Hamas has reportedly let it be known that it needs at least 10 days to locate the bodies of the dead Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing informed sources.

La Germania vuole organizzare con l’Egitto una conferenza per la ricostruzione dopo l’annunciato accordo tra Israele e Hamas sulla “prima fase” del piano Trump “per la fine del conflitto a Gaza”. “Dovrà essere una conferenza con obiettivi politici di ampio respiro che definiscano il quadro politico per la Striscia di Gaza e certamente tenendo sempre a mente alla fine dovrà essere trovata una soluzione a due stati”, ha detto il ministro degli Esteri tedesco, Johann Wadephul, da Belfast, dove partecipa a una conferenza sui Balcani occidentali. Può essere parte del processo di pace l’incontro odierno a Parigi tra europei, arabi e Paesi maggioranza islamica. “Ma Israele non è al tavolo”, ha affermato il ministro. La conferenza per la ricostruzione che la Germania vuole organizzare con l’Egitto “deve essere” un’iniziativa a cui siano “presenti Israele e Stati Uniti”, ha insistito Wadephul, rimarcando la disponibilità di Berlino a fornire aiuti umanitari e sostegno all’istit

"As far as the future is concerned, i.e. the concrete implementation of the US peace plan for Gaza, obviously Italy and, in particular, the Armed Forces are and will be ready to play their part, as they have always done and as they have shown, in all the international missions in which they participate, that they know how to do. Italy is there and will always be there, when it comes to helping and supporting peace processes". So said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on X.

According to Israeli sources, should Hamas fail to recover the bodies of the dead hostages, a multinational force set up by the Prisoner Coordinator will be deployed in the Gaza Strip to recover the bodies whose burial sites are known to the IDF. This is reported by Channel 12. It is a force composed of Qatar, Egypt, the United States and Israel that will operate inside the Strip; Israel will provide heavy engineering equipment to carry out the operations.

US President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Israel on the night of Saturday to Sunday. "This is a short visit," an Israeli source told the Jerusalem Post, pointing out that a ceremony at Ben Gurion airport and a speech by him in the Knesset are currently planned.

Yesterday, after the announcement of the agreement on the first phase of Trump's peace plan for the Gaza Strip, the families of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas called on the US president to intervene in the Tel Aviv hostage square during his visit to the country.

Netanyahu's office made it clear that the Gaza ceasefire will not come into effect until the agreement is ratified by the Israeli government today, Reuters online reports. Netanyahu is expected to convene his security cabinet at 5pm.

The ceasefire agreement in Gaza has come into force, the Egyptian media Al Qahera News quoted by Reuters online reported.

The agreement on the first phase of the Trump plan between Israel and Hamas is expected to be signed at 11 a.m. Italian time in Sharm el Sheikh, where the negotiations took place. At 4 p.m. Italian time, however, the Israeli security cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss the agreement before it is given the green light by the entire government. Meanwhile, in the coming hours, between tonight and tomorrow morning, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected in Israel, arriving from Egypt, where they took part in the negotiations yesterday

China hopes that a "permanent and comprehensive" ceasefire will come into effect in Gaza "as soon as possible" after the agreement reached by Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire should "effectively alleviate the humanitarian crisis and ease regional tensions", said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, emphasising that "China supports adherence to the principle that 'Palestinians must govern Palestinians'".

"The area north of Wadi Gaza is still considered a dangerous combat zone, the Ifd continues to encircle Gaza City and returning is extremely dangerous." This is the message addressed to Palestinians by the Ifd in a message from its Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, forbidding return to Gaza City "until further instructions", while the signing of the ceasefire agreement is expected today. "For your safety, avoid returning to the north or approaching areas where the Ifd is located and operating throughout the Gaza Strip, including in the south and east of the Strip, until official instructions are forthcoming," the message concludes.

Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) has welcomed the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas over the Gaza Strip, expressing hope that it could lead to the creation of a Palestinian state. On social media, Abbas "welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip" and "expressed hope that these efforts will be the prelude to a permanent political solution (...) leading to the end of the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and the creation of an independent Palestinian state."

Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said he opposes the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, insisting that he will vote against it. "There is an immense fear of the consequences of emptying the prisons and releasing the next generation of terrorist leaders who will do anything to continue spilling rivers of Jewish blood here, God forbid," Smotrich said on X. "For this reason alone, we cannot join in short-sighted celebrations or vote in favour of the agreement."

"The EU will continue to support the rapid and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. And when the time comes, we will be ready to contribute to recovery and reconstruction. Today's opportunity must be seized. It is a chance to chart a credible political path towards lasting peace and security. A path firmly anchored in the two-state solution," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, commenting on the agreement on Gaza.

A source close to Hamas told Ynet that 'the organisation is ready to show great flexibility in negotiations with Israel, based on US President Donald Trump's plan'. According to the source, 'the movement will have to deal with the most difficult stages of the plan, including disarmament and the exile of leaders, but this is necessary to prevent the resumption of fighting. The current agreement includes the first stage of the plan and negotiations for the second stage will begin immediately. The ceasefire will continue as long as both sides keep their commitment,' Ynet read.

"I am deeply delighted that the Hamas-Israel negotiations, conducted in Sharm El-Sheikh with Turkey's contribution, have led to a ceasefire in Gaza," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. "I extend my heartfelt thanks to US President Trump, who has shown the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government to reach a ceasefire, as well as to our sister countries Qatar and Egypt, who have provided significant support in reaching the agreement," the Turkish leader added in a message released on X.

"The agreement reached in Egypt for the implementation of the first phase of President Trump's Peace Plan is extraordinary news that paves the way for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces on agreed lines." So in a note, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "I would like to thank President Trump for relentlessly seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza and the mediators - Egypt, Qatar and Turkey - for their efforts, which proved crucial to the positive outcome reached." I now "urge all parties to fully comply with the agreed measures and work to quickly implement the next steps set out in the Peace Plan."

"The agreement reached in Egypt to implement the first phase of President Trump's Peace Plan is extraordinary news that paves the way for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces on agreed lines." So Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a note.

"I would like to thank President Trump for ceaselessly seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza, and the mediators - Egypt, Qatar and Turkey - for their efforts, which proved crucial to the positive outcome reached," he added, also stressing that "Italy is ready to play its part in the stabilisation and reconstruction of Gaza".

The IDF has begun preparations for the partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, based on the agreement reached last night with Hamas on the ceasefire and the release of hostages. In a note, the Israel Defence Forces let it be known that, "based on political directives and the assessment of the situation, the IDF has begun operational preparations for the implementation of the agreement." As part of these preparations, the IDF is ready to move troops "in the near future" to "the agreed lines of deployment," pointing out that they "will continue to be deployed in the area and prepare for any operational developments."

"The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem joyfully welcomes the announcement of an agreement that provides for the cessation of attacks in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of hostages, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners. The Patriarchate fervently hopes that this agreement will be fully and faithfully implemented, so that it may mark the beginning of the end of this terrible war. The Patriarchate reiterates the absolute urgency of immediate humanitarian relief and the unconditional entry of sufficient aid for the suffering population of Gaza. Above all, the Patriarchate prays that this step will open a path of healing and reconciliation for both Palestinians and Israelis," reads a note from the Jerusalem Patriarchate of Latins regarding the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.

"A moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world," was British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's comment on the Gaza ceasefire agreement. "I am grateful for the tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States, supported by our regional partners, in securing this crucial first step," he said in a statement. "This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza."

A senior Hamas official said Israel will release 1,950 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 20 hostages who are still alive: the figure includes 250 lifers and another 1,700 detainees since the start of the war. The Times of Israel writes this. The exchange is expected to take place within 72 hours of the agreement, which was also "agreed with the Palestinian factions", says another source inside Hamas.

"The agreement on the first phase of the peace deal for Gaza marks an important step forward. This is a major diplomatic achievement and a real opportunity to end a devastating war and free all hostages. The EU will do its utmost to support its implementation," says EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.

Argentina's president, Javier Milei, wrote on social media: 'I want to take this opportunity to say that I will sign Donald J. Trump's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to international peace. Any other leader with similar achievements would have received it long ago,' wrote the libertarian leader and Trump ally. Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, wrote: 'I am relieved that the hostages will soon be reunited with their families. After years of intense suffering, peace finally seems achievable.' Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese, described the agreement as a 'ray of light'. It brought 'hope that after eight decades of conflict and terror, we can break this cycle of violence and build something better.' The three heads of government are quoted by the Guardian.

"A few months ago it seemed like a boutade, but if he achieves the goal of peace" in the Middle East "he certainly has a title to compete for the Nobel Prize". This is how Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, interviewed by RTL, responded to the question of whether Donald Trump can really aspire to the Nobel Peace Prize, which will be awarded tomorrow. "He dug in and he was right," the Farnesina titular stressed, "because he is achieving it, you can agree or disagree with him, but he is achieving it, it is incontrovertible.

The Israeli prime minister's office reports that Benyamin Netanyahu has just spoken with US President Donald Trump. "The two leaders had a very emotional and warm conversation, and congratulated each other on the historic achievement of signing the agreement to free all the hostages. Netanyahu thanked Trump for all his efforts and leadership on a global level, the president praised the premier for his determined leadership and the actions he has taken. "Netanyahu invited Trump to deliver a speech before the Knesset.

"Undoubtedly this is good news. The road to peace is long, but we must begin in some way. These gestures, especially the release of hostages and prisoners, the partial, at least initial withdrawal of the Israeli army, give the necessary confidence to continue". With these words to Sir, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, commented on the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. "This first phase will open up other phases - he added - and will create a new climate that will also help in the distribution of aid. Returning to normality, to ordinary life will not yet be possible because the situation is disastrous, but it is necessary to begin to rethink it".

US President Donald Trump has declared that the US will help rebuild Gaza and keep it safe and peaceful, after Israel and Hamas agreed on the first phase of its peace plan. "We're going to be involved in helping them succeed and keep the peace," Trump told Fox News a few hours after the agreement was announced, adding that he was "very confident that there will be peace in the Middle East."

"Great news is coming from the Middle East: peace is near. Italy, which has always supported the US plan, is ready to do its part to consolidate the ceasefire, to bring in new humanitarian aid and to participate in the reconstruction of Gaza. We are also ready to send troops in the event of the creation of an international peacekeeping force to reunify Palestine,' Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a post published this morning on his X account

Il presidente israeliano Isaac Herzog definisce quella di oggi “una mattinata di notizie storiche ed epocali”. Lo riportano i media dello Stato ebraico. Herzog ringrazia il premier israeliano Benjamin Netanyahu, il team negoziale e i mediatori. Esprime inoltre i suoi “più profondi ringraziamenti” al presidente americano Donald Trump per la sua “incredibile leadership nel garantire il rilascio degli ostaggi, porre fine alla guerra e creare speranza per una nuova realtà in Medio Oriente. Non c’è dubbio - sottolinea - che meriti il ;;premio Nobel per la pace per questo”. Herzog afferma che se Trump visiterà Israele nei prossimi giorni “sarà accolto con immenso rispetto, affetto e gratitudine dal popolo” dello Stato ebraico. “Questo accordo porterà momenti di indescrivibile sollievo alle care famiglie che non dormono da 733 giorni”, afferma Herzog. “Questo accordo - conclude il presidente israeliano - offre l’opportunità di riparare, guarire e aprire un nuovo orizzonte di speranza

"I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, based on the proposal made by US President Donald Trump. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough," said UN President Antonio Guterres on X.

"I urge all concerned to fully abide by the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be guaranteed. Fighting must cease once and for all. Immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and essential commercial materials into Gaza must be guaranteed. The suffering must end," Guterres added, stressing that the UN will support "the full implementation of the agreement and intensify the delivery of durable humanitarian aid", as well as promote "recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza".

L’esercito israeliano ha continuato nella notte a condurre attacchi su Gaza, nonostante la notizia dell’accordo sul cessate il fuoco raggiunto tra Israele e Hamas. Secondo quanto riportato da Al Jazeera, caccia israeliani hanno bombardato le zone occidentali della città di Gaza, colpendo almeno una casa nel campo di Shati.