Ceasefire into effect
A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip began at noon on Friday, initiating a 72-hour countdown for the release of all 48 hostages held by Hamas, both living and deceased. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the agreement’s activation and stated that troops have repositioned according to the framework tied to the hostage deal. While combat operations are paused, the IDF’s Southern Command remains on alert to eliminate any immediate threats.
Clock for release of hostages starts ticking
After hours of deliberation, the Israeli government has approved the first phase of a U.S.-brokered agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the deal includes the release of all 48 hostages—both living and deceased. Of these, 20 are believed to be alive. Hamas is required to release them within 72 hours, by early Monday morning. Israeli hospitals and medical teams are prepared to receive the returnees, with officials insisting the handover be conducted respectfully, without public displays.
In exchange, Israel has agreed to release 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences for deadly attacks. Most of these individuals are expected to be transferred to third countries such as Turkey and Qatar. Hamas also requested the return of the bodies of its slain leaders, Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar, but Israel denied the request.
The agreement faced significant opposition from right-wing coalition members, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who expressed concern over the potential security risks of releasing convicted terrorists. Despite their objections, the deal was approved following a six-hour cabinet session attended by White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who played a key role in shaping the plan.
As part of the agreement, the Israeli military will withdraw to the “yellow line,” a boundary outlined in U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, leaving Israel in control of approximately 53% of Gaza. Netanyahu hailed the deal as a “national and moral victory,” marking a significant step toward de-escalation. However, the coming days will be critical, as both sides prepare for a sensitive and emotionally charged exchange that could shape the future of the conflict.
Israeli soldiers seen near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip | Photo: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90
Israel rejects French Mid-East Summit; Nothing about Israel without Israel
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has strongly rejected a French-led summit on the Gaza conflict, criticizing President Emmanuel Macron for organizing the event without Israel’s involvement. The summit, scheduled in Paris, brings together representatives from the U.S., EU, Arab states, and major European nations to discuss a two-state solution, but notably excludes Israel.
Sa’ar condemned the initiative as “unnecessary and harmful,” especially given its timing alongside sensitive negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh. He accused Macron of using Israel to distract from his own domestic political crisis, including the recent resignation of his third prime minister in a year, Sébastien Lecornu.
Macron has been pushing for international recognition of a Palestinian state and aims to position France as a key player in Middle East peace efforts. However, Sa’ar argued that the summit undermines a U.S.-brokered deal led by President Donald Trump, which is nearing approval by the Israeli government and includes terms for ending the war and releasing hostages.
Sa’ar expressed outrage at the inclusion of governments he described as “openly hostile” to Israel, such as Spain’s Sánchez administration. He emphasized that no decisions regarding Gaza would be accepted without Israel’s direct involvement, invoking the principle France itself used in the Ukraine conflict: “Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
Calling out what he sees as French hypocrisy and double standards, Sa’ar concluded firmly: “Nothing about Israel without Israel.” He reiterated Israel’s refusal to accept any internationalization of the conflict, asserting its sovereign right to shape its own future in the region.
Netanyahu credits Trump, IDF for Gaza truce
Hamas until now never agreed to free all the hostages while our troops remain in the Strip, the prime minister said.
Clock for hostage release starts ticking, as Israel approves first stage of deal
The Israeli government “approved the framework for the release of all of the hostages, the living and the deceased,” the prime minister’s office stated.
Sa’ar rejects French Mideast summit: ‘Nothing about Israel without Israel’
Israel’s foreign Minister framed the summit as another attempt by Emmanuel Macron “to divert attention from his domestic problems at Israel’s expense.”
‘The truth hurts. We are focused on what matters NOW.’ – Shmuel Junger CFOIC
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 68:1-8
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.
2 As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.
3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds – his name is the Lord – and rejoice before him.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, Selah
8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
