Israel’s government formally ratified the Gaza ceasefire at 18:00 local time 9 Oct 2025; guns fall silent as IDF withdraws to “yellow line” and 400 humanitarian trucks prepare to enter Strip daily. Hamas to release 48 hostages starting Monday. Latest updates, phase-by-phase plan and global reaction below.
After a stormy seven-hour debate, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved Phase-One of the 2025 Gaza cease-fire at 18:00 local time (16:00 BST). The resolution passed 24-3, with far-right ministers Smotrich & Ben-Gvir voting against and one abstention.
Defense Minister Israel Katz immediately signed the red-line withdrawal order; IDF radio says first tanks began pulling back at 18:12.
What Phase-One Contains – 72-Hour Clock Starts NOW
| Pillar | Detail | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Cessation of hostilities | Immediate – no IDF air-strikes, no Hamas rocket fire | 18:00 today |
| IDF withdrawal | Troops pull to “yellow line” east of Gaza’s centre | <24 h (by Thu evening) |
| Aid surge | 400 trucks/day – food, fuel, medical supplies | First 5 days |
| Hostage release | 48 hostages (≈20 believed alive) | 72 h window opens after withdrawal complete – release expected Sun/Mon |
| Prisoner swap | Israel to free ~1,900 Palestinian detainees – women, children, minors, administrative detainees | Parallel to hostage hand-over |
Live Timeline – Next 96 Hours
Thursday 10 Oct
- 06:00 – Gaza crossings open for aid convoy influx
- 14:00 – Knesset special session; Netanyahu & Gallant to brief MKs
- 18:00 – IDF expects final armour to cross yellow line; engineering corps to dismantle temporary road
Friday 11 Oct
- 08:00 – 72-hour hostage clock starts
- 12:00 – Egyptian-Qatari monitoring cell activates in Rafah
Sunday 13 Oct
- 09:00 – First Red Cross buses expected at Gaza-Israel crossing with hostages
Monday 14 Oct
- 18:00 – Phase-One deadline; if swaps complete, Phase-Two permanent cease-fire talks begin in Cairo
On the Ground – Gaza Reacts
- Gaza City’s al-Shifa courtyard erupted in celebratory gunfire at 18:05; AFP footage shows families dancing amid rubble.
- UNRWA says six hospitals will reopen within 48 h once diesel generators refuel.
- World Food Programme convoy of 80 trucks is already queued at Rafah; the first wave carries 660,000 litres of drinking water.
Hostage Families – “Cautious Joy”
Hostages & Missing Families Forum:
“We welcome the cabinet vote with cautious excitement and pray our loved ones return alive,” spokesman Eli Shtivi (father of hostage Idan) told the BBC.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirms Red Cross protocols finalised; 48 names to be submitted within 24 h of IDF withdrawal completion.
Political Fall-Out – Netanyahu’s Tightrope
- Far-right threat: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the deal “a surrender to Hamas” and vowed to bring down the government if Phase-Two permanent truce is signed .
- Opposition backing: Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) pledged conditional support, demanding weekly Knesset updates on hostage returns.
- Trump factor: U.S. President Donald Trump (who brokered the 20-point plan) may fly to Tel Aviv this weekend; the White House says “logistics are being finalised” .
International Reaction – Global Relief
| Leader | Quote |
|---|---|
| President Biden | “This is diplomacy over destruction – I commend all parties for choosing life.” |
| Egypt’s el-Sisi | “Cairo stands ready to guarantee monitoring and rebuild Gaza.” |
| UN Sec-Gen Guterres | “The UN will coordinate aid; no time to lose – hospitals need fuel now.” |
| UK PM Starmer | “Britain will lift sanctions on humanitarian trade with Gaza immediately.” |
What’s Missing – Phase-One Gaps
- Hamas disarmament – not addressed; Phase-Two talks must tackle arms & governance.
- Gaza reconstruction fund – $53 bn estimate; donor conference set for Paris 12 Oct.
- Philadelphi Corridor – final demarcation of yellow line still classified; sources tell ABC it runs 500 m west of Netzarim.
Stock & Shekel – Markets React
- The TA-35 index closed at +2.1% – defence stocks down, construction & cement up.
- The Israeli shekel gained 1.3% vs. USD – the biggest single-day gain since 2022.
- Gaza-bound diesel futures are -6% as the blockade eases.
Day One of Quiet
For the first time in 24 months the skies over Gaza are silent; tanks are rolling out, trucks are rolling in, and 48 families await proof of life. The next 72 hours will decide whether today’s ceasefire becomes tomorrow’s peace – or another broken truce in the world’s most volatile strip of land.
