Israeli hostage launch countdown begins as Palestinians return to Gaza’s north

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

Putin stated that if the settlement is efficiently applied, it might mark a significant 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 mates, and particularly Palestinian mates, after all, I imagine our participation could possibly be in demand,” Putin advised reporters on a visit to Tajikistan.

“We’ll, after all, at all times be able to take part. We now have been concerned on this for many years, and I feel Russia has one thing to say and one thing to supply to handle the problems that can come up, a method or one other, throughout the implementation of the agreements reached,” he stated.

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 throughout the many durations of preventing there have been seen trekking again to the world on Friday, carrying what they might, photos confirmed.

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

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

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

Pictures from Gaza Metropolis on Friday confirmed sweeping devastation.

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

“We welcome the settlement on a ceasefire within the Center East, the deliberate launch of hostages, and the resumption of humanitarian help to the civilian inhabitants of Gaza,” French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated. “We pay tribute to President Trump’s management on the difficulty, 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 immediately,” they added within the assertion. “We stand able to assist additional talks on the subsequent 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 section of the White Home peace proposal.

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

Because the solar set, the sq. was full. Households of hostages have been organising for Shabbat dinner in a constructing off the sq. – which they’re hoping will likely 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 Below-Secretary-Normal for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Reduction Coordinator Tom Fletcher outlined plans on Friday to get 172,000 metric tons “of meals, drugs, tents” and different important supplies into the Gaza Strip within the coming days. 

“We intention at a whole bunch of truckloads daily; 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 children again in training,” Fletcher stated in a social media publish.

“We want all crossings open; secure routes; elimination of crimson tape and bodily obstacles; energy restored to bakeries, hospitals, water stations; entry of not less than 1.9m litres of gas each week; safety of humanitarian staff; and NGO entry,” he stated.

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

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

Fowler stated the U.N. had 6,000 help vans 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, stated Friday that the household was eagerly anticipating his return, however added that it was “too quickly to open champagne.” 

“We began to depend the 72 hours. We’re on the third hour,” Cohen advised “CBS Mornings,” referring to the Monday deadline Hamas is going through to launch the entire remaining Israeli hostages beneath the phrases of the settlement. “The champagne time will come.” 

Cohen stated he has no thought what situation his son is in. He will likely be in a “very protected space” after he returns, Cohen stated. 

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

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

200 U.S. troops will likely be deployed to Israel to assist coordinate humanitarian and safety help, and they need to be in place by Sunday, a U.S. official advised CBS Information on Friday. 

The U.S. personnel will likely be deployed from “inside the CENTCOM [U.S. Central Command] area,” and can principally include U.S. Military members who focus on logistics, communications, transportation and safety, the U.S. official stated. 

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

The CENTCOM area is the world of accountability for the U.S. army that encompasses the Center East, Central Asia and components 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 stated Friday that the ceasefire in Gaza “is an emotional second for the individuals of Israel,” and for Israeli troopers.

“We’ll do every little thing doable to guard the safety of the residents of the western Negev, the south and all the nation,” Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated at a information convention, in accordance with The Instances of Israel.

He stated 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 tough time.”

“Since then … we’ve not stopped for a second, and we by no means will,” he stated.

Defrin stated that “Hamas at this time is just not the Hamas of two years in the past,” including that the U.S.- and Israeli designated terrorist group, “has been defeated in all places we fought it.”

The our bodies of 81 individuals have been recovered from numerous areas throughout the Gaza Strip Friday morning, together with 73 in Gaza Metropolis, CBS Information’ staff 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 staff in Gaza reported. 

Israeli troops launched a floor 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 stated in a Fb publish on Friday that 17 individuals have been killed because of Israeli army motion over the previous 24 hours.

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

CBS Information’ Debora Patta stated 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 throughout the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist assault, stated in an announcement Friday that “no chief or group has achieved extra for peace all over the world than President Donald J. Trump.” 

“Whereas the Norwegian Nobel Committee selected a unique recipient this 12 months, the reality stays plain,” the group stated.  “President Trump’s unprecedented achievements in peacemaking this previous 12 months converse for themselves, and no award or lack thereof can diminish the profound impression he has had on our households and on international peace.” 

An Israeli police spokesperson stated 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, stated in an announcement Friday

“Hundreds of law enforcement officials, Border Guard troopers and volunteers will function beginning within the early hours of Monday morning to supply safety, preserve public order and direct visitors throughout the state go to, which is anticipated to final a number of hours,” Filo stated.

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

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

An Israeli official advised 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 stated 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, will likely be opened alternately in two instructions: exit in the direction of Egypt and entry in the direction of Gaza,” Italian Protection Minister Guido Crosetto stated within the assertion. 

Crosetto additionally stated 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 social gathering presence on the Gaza-Egypt border —  will likely be current to observe the border’s reopening, the protection minister stated.

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

Displaced Palestinians have been seen touring up Al Rasheed highway, the primary 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 advised CBS Information that intensive harm was seen in neighborhoods throughout Gaza Metropolis, and in Al-Shati Refugee Camp on town’s western facet.

Worldwide Crimson Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric stated 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 stated. “The ceasefire should maintain. Lives rely on it.” 

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

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

Hamas had stated in an announcement final week that it had agreed to the discharge of all Israeli hostages — residing and useless — offered “that acceptable discipline situations are ensured for the alternate course of.”

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

President Trump’s senior envoy Steve Witkoff stated Friday in a social media publish that the U.S. army’s Central Command had “confirmed that the Israeli Protection Forces accomplished the primary section 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 stated 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 will likely be demilitarized. If this may be achieved the straightforward manner, all the higher; if not, it is going to be achieved the arduous manner,” Netanyahu stated, addressing reporters. 

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

“Anybody who claims that this hostage deal was at all times on the desk is just 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 stated. 

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

The vans will likely be from United Nations businesses, in addition to different accredited worldwide organizations, the personal sector and donor international locations, the safety supply stated. 

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

“Residents will likely be allowed to depart by way of the Rafah Crossing in coordination with Egypt, after safety approval by Israel and beneath the supervision” of a European Union delegation,” the supply advised CBS Information. 

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

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

Israeli officers had stated 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 stated 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 threat,” the spokesperson stated. 

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

President Trump stated Thursday that the entire 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 imagine there are nonetheless 48 individuals held captive in Gaza, 20 of whom are considered alive.

The Israeli army stated 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 components of Gaza as a part of the primary section of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan to finish the two-year struggle and convey residence 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 stated in an announcement Friday.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace advised CBS Information’ companion community BBC Information that Israeli troops would withdraw to a line leaving them in charge of 53% of Gaza within the first section of the plan. 

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