Israeli officials say there is currently no formal ceasefire in Gaza, despite a temporary pause in some airstrikes, as negotiations move forward on a U.S.-brokered deal to free hostages held by Hamas.
Government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian confirmed on Sunday (October 5) that a delegation of Israeli negotiators will travel to Cairo tonight to begin the technical phase of discussions with Egyptian mediators. The talks will focus on finalising the first stage of the agreement — the simultaneous release of 48 Israeli hostages.
“This development comes with talks that will be taking place in Egypt, as the Prime Minister instructed the team, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, to finalise the technical details of the release of the hostages — a priority and first step of this deal,” Bedrosian said. She added that Israel’s government had agreed to the first phase of the U.S.-backed plan, and that Hamas must now act on its commitment to release the captives.
Bedrosian stressed that the meetings in Cairo are strictly technical, focused on logistics and sequencing rather than broader political terms. “The team will be leaving tonight, with plans for talks to begin tomorrow,” she said.
On the ground, she clarified that while some airstrikes had ceased, the Israeli military retained authority to respond if threatened. “There’s no ceasefire in place at this point in time,” Bedrosian told reporters. “The Prime Minister has given orders for defence forces to fire back for defensive purposes, of course, if there is a threat to their life in the battlefield in Gaza.”
The upcoming talks in Egypt mark the most advanced stage yet in efforts to implement President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, which envisions a phased ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and eventual international oversight of Gaza’s governance.
Negotiators from Israel, Egypt, and the United States are expected to attend Monday’s meeting in Cairo, as momentum builds toward what could become the most significant breakthrough since the conflict began nearly two years ago.
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The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, prompting counter-terrorism police to declare a major incident and bring the event to an early close.
Ukraine and a group of key Western allies have launched a new air defence coalition to develop a European anti-ballistic missile system that will complement existing defences and reduce reliance on the costly U.S.-made Patriot system.
Two endangered loggerhead sea turtles have been released into the Mediterranean from Türkiye's Antalya province as part of a conservation project to track their migration and strengthen protection efforts.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
Türkiye delivered 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Venezuela on Monday, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the country's reconstruction after last month's devastating earthquakes.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned on Sunday that 3.7 million children under five in Afghanistan face an increased risk of malnutrition as the peak wasting season from July to September approaches.
Uzbekistan is preparing for one of its hottest weeks of the year, with electricity demand expected to approach a record as temperatures are forecast to reach 44-46°C across parts of the country. Authorities are taking measures to maintain power supplies during the extreme heat.
Iran has said it remains determined to pursue legal action against Israel and the United States over the deaths of senior officials and civilians during recent military confrontations, insisting it will seek accountability through international bodies.
Pakistan on Sunday expressed "deep concern" over the latest escalation in the Middle East following renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. It urged all sides to exercise restraint and honour commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
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