2 h. ago The war in Gaza is over, says Trump. Now who will be responsible for maintaining the peace? | Roy Schwartz

Israelis believe their interests are better served by Washington than Jerusalem. But will Trump and Netanyahu’s focus change now the hostages are home?Roy Schwartz is a senior editor and op-ed contributor at HaaretzThe streets of Tel Aviv felt empty this Monday morning. Apart from people rushing to work or walking their dogs, the place seemed relatively deserted. Even some of the most popular coffee spots had more vacant seats than occupied ones. This day feels like a holy day – not because it actually is one (it’s Simchat Torah Eve) – but because of the return of the last 20 living hostages from Hamas captivity. There was no need to ask where everyone was. Thousands had gathered in “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv (formerly known as Museum Square – and who knows if that name will ever return). Others were glued to their television screens at home, as if it were the World Cup final. Thinking about it, the war’s final act trumps even that. Apparently, the sound of silence can be full of...

Politics

2 h. ago Donald Trump's address to Israel's Knesset dramatically halted by left

Knesset members Ayman Odeh and Ofer Cassif were removed by security after staging a brief protest during Trump’s address

Politics

3 h. ago 'You are coming home': surviving Israeli hostages freed after two years in Gaza – video report

All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity in Gaza. Hostages were handed over to the Red Cross before finally rejoining their families with the help of the Israeli army. Hamas had allowed some of the hostages to make video calls home on Monday morning before their release.Emotional footage was shared by Israeli broadcasters to an estimated 65,000 people gathered in front of large screens in 'hostages square' in Tel Aviv and to millions more watching the coverage at home. Hundreds were there from the early hours of Monday and tens of thousands more joined them as the morning went on where they watched live footage of events from large screens on two sides of the square. Israeli ministers had approved overnight a list of 1,718 Palestinian prisoners due to be releasedHamas releases 20 remaining living Israeli hostages after two years in GazaGaza ceasefire – live updatesAs Donald Trump heads to Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt...

Events

4 h. ago Gaza latest LIVE: Donald Trump hails 'historic dawn of new Middle East' as freed Israeli hostages reunited with loved ones

US President Donald Trump addressing Israel’s parliament after declaring ‘the war is over’

Politics

4 h. ago Gaza latest LIVE: Donald Trump addresses Knesset as freed Israeli hostages hug loved ones

US President Donald Trump addressing Israel’s parliament after declaring ‘the war is over’

Politics

5 h. ago Gaza latest LIVE: Donald Trump to address Knesset with Ivanka watching as Israeli hostages return home

US President Donald Trump to address Israel’s parliament after declaring ‘the war is over’

Politics

6 h. ago Gaza latest: Trump to address Knesset after all 20 Israeli hostages released by Hamas

Jubilant crowds gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate their release as Trump prepares to address the Knesset

Politics

6 h. ago Watch live: Donald Trump addresses Knesset after Israeli hostages freed

Watch live as Donald Trump is set to address the Knesset as authorities confirmed that Hamas has released all of the 20 living Israeli hostages that were being held in Gaza on Monday, 13 October.

Politics

7 h. ago Who are the hostages released by Hamas? Twenty freed under Trump’s peace deal after two years in captivity

All 48 hostages, living and dead, are expected to return to Israel on Monday as part of Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan

Economics

7 h. ago Gaza latest LIVE: First pictures of freed Israeli hostages as Donald Trump to address Knesset

US President Donald Trump declares ‘the war is over’ as he flies to Israel on Air Force One to address the Knesset

Politics

7 h. ago Gaza latest: All 20 Israeli hostages released by Hamas as Trump declares ‘every country is dancing in the streets’

Jubilant crowds gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate their release as Trump prepares to address the Knesset

Politics

8 h. ago First Israeli hostages return to families after Gaza release as Trump arrives for historic handover: Live updates

LIVE: Hamas has released the first seven Israeli hostages as part of a monumental ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Politics

10 h. ago Hamas releases seven Israeli hostages after 738 days in hellish captivity as families who never gave up hope gather to welcome them home

The Israeli people gathered in Hostages Square to anticipate the return of the 20 remaining living captives, as Donald Trump is set to arrive in Tel Aviv Monday morning.

Politics

18 h. ago Starmer to hail signing of Trump’s Gaza deal as ‘crucial phase’ to ending war

The Prime Minister will attend a summit to mark the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the return of Israeli hostages.

Politics

32 h. ago Gaza ceasefire LIVE: Starmer to meet Trump as landmark hostage return expected

Israeli families who have spent years waiting to see their loved ones again are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first hostages - as fury grows against Benjamin Netanyahu

Events

44 h. ago More than 500,000 people return to Gaza City amid ceasefire, as Steve Witkoff addresses Tel Aviv crowd – live

Palestinians return to destruction as US special envoy visits Hostages Square in Israel with Jared Kushner and Ivanka TrumpMalak A Tantesh, a young reporter who has contributed to the Guardian’s coverage, has written about a harrowing two years in besieged Gaza. You can read her account here:The Trump plan calls for Israel to maintain an open-ended military presence inside Gaza, along its border with Israel. An international force, comprised largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would be responsible for security inside Gaza. The US would lead a large internationally funded reconstruction effort, reports the Associated Press (AP). The plan envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority – something Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long opposed. But it requires the authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, to undergo a sweeping reform programme that could take years. According to the AP, the Trump plan is even more vague about a future Pale...

Events

55 h. ago Trump says ‘for the most part, there is consensus’ on next stages of Gaza ceasefire plan – live

US president adds Hamas were gathering the hostages now, as displaced Palestinians return to northern GazaAs Abdel Fattah al-Kurdi made the long journey back to Gaza City, he found himself getting lost. Though he left the city just a few weeks ago, he could no longer recognise its streets. The buildings he had grown up in between had collapsed, their contents carpeting the roads in a mixture of torn furniture and broken concrete.Al-Kurdi could only recognise the Netzarim checkpoint marking his entry into north Gaza by the bodies lying at its feet – those who had tried to return home too early, their faces obscured by dust after being cut down by Israeli fire. Continue reading...

Politics

56 h. ago Countdown begins for Hamas to release remaining Israeli hostages

Hamas has 72 hours to release the 20 living Israeli hostages it is still holding once Israel’s military withdraws from roughly half of Gaza

Politics

3 d. ago Palestinians begin journey to Gaza’s north as Israel says ceasefire now in effect – live

Thousands of Palestinians travel back to the north of the territory after IDF forces retreated to deployment linesIsraeli military has said that the ceasefire agreement has come into effect, as troops have now retreated to the deployment lines agreed upon.In a statement released on Telegram, the IDF says troops “began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines” from midday local time. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Gaza ceasefire plan live: Israel’s government approves deal for hostages’ release as US troops to ‘oversee’ truce

Ceasefire supposed to begin immediately after early Friday’s cabinet approval under deal, says Israeli officialIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after a government meeting to approve the US-brokered deal to release all hostages and implement a ceasefire in Gaza.The Times of Israel reports that Gaza’s civil defence service has issued a warning to Palestinians not to approach the areas where the Israeli forces are present, particularly towards the border, until the IDF has officially announced their withdrawal and officials confirm this. Continue reading...

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