Thursday Oct 09 , 2025 {HMC}  Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that would pause nearly two years of fighting in Gaza and pave the way for the release of Israeli hostages, U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday. The deal, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, awaits final approval from Israel’s security cabinet, which is scheduled to vote on it Thursday evening.

The agreement calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, a staged Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza, and the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Mediators said the arrangement marks the first step in a 20-point peace framework Trump outlined last week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump said on Truth Social that “all hostages will be released very soon,” describing the deal as “a historic breakthrough for peace.” Hamas confirmed the agreement’s first phase and said details of reconstruction and post-war governance would be addressed in later talks.

Israel’s security cabinet is expected to meet at 5 p.m. local time Thursday to ratify the proposal. If approved, the Israel Defense Forces will “adjust deployment lines” within Gaza and begin repositioning troops to pre-designated areas, military officials said. Preparations for redeployment were reported at several staging grounds in southern Israel, with movement potentially beginning within 24 hours of cabinet approval.

Egyptian and U.S. officials said a joint monitoring mechanism will supervise the ceasefire’s implementation, while humanitarian agencies prepare to expand aid convoys into the enclave once the truce begins.

News of the announcement sparked celebrations in parts of Gaza and Israel. In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, families of captives hugged and cheered, shouting “You did it!” after months of protests demanding government action. In Gaza, verified videos showed residents gathering in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, waving flags and lighting fireworks.

Yet, amid celebration, uncertainty lingered. “The war was supposed to end two hours ago, but the sky still burns,” one resident said in a video geolocated by BBC investigators near Omar al-Mukhtar Street.

World leaders welcomed the breakthrough but urged restraint and long-term commitment. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres each called for “unhindered humanitarian access” and protection for civilians. France also announced plans to host an international summit in Paris to discuss Gaza’s recovery and governance once the ceasefire takes effect.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said there was “a sense of relief” among families waiting for food and water deliveries, while the World Health Organization announced plans to scale up medical operations across the enclave.

The terms of the ceasefire leave major political and security issues unresolved. The future governance of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the timeline for Israel’s full withdrawal remain under discussion. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner are expected to travel to the region in the coming days to negotiate the next stages of the peace framework.

Political analysts warned that without clear mechanisms for enforcement and political transition, the truce could mirror earlier temporary pauses that collapsed under renewed violence.

The Gaza war erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. Israel’s subsequent air and ground operations have devastated much of Gaza and have led to credible accusations of genocide, with the territory’s health authorities reporting more than 67,000 Palestinians killed since the war began, a figure broadly cited by the United Nations but disputed by Israel.

Thursday Oct 09 , 2025 {HMC}  Somalia’s Cabinet has approved three new agreements with Uganda, Qatar, and Algeria to strengthen cooperation in education and research. Officials say it is part of efforts to rebuild the country’s learning institutions and promote scientific development.

The memoranda of understanding, submitted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Learning, were endorsed during Thursday’s weekly Cabinet session chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi.

Under the new partnerships, Somalia and Uganda will collaborate on expanding general education programs, while agreements with Qatar and Algeria focus on advancing higher education and scientific research. The Ministry stated that the deals reflect Somalia’s broader goal of modernizing its education system and enhancing academic quality through international cooperation.

Cabinet members also received briefings from the Ministries of Internal Security and Defence on the country’s security situation, including recent operations targeting Al-Shabaab. Officials reported progress in ongoing military offensives to restore stability and reclaim remaining militant-held areas.

The Cabinet commended the Somali National Army and allied forces for recent battlefield gains, calling them key to consolidating national security and advancing the government’s stabilization agenda.

Somalia’s education sector, heavily affected by decades of conflict, has been a central pillar of the government’s recovery plan. Officials stated that the new agreements align with broader national priorities to invest in human capital, strengthen higher education institutions, and foster innovation-driven growth.