Following the swift implementation of a ceasefire, international correspondents stationed in Israel have urgently appealed for unrestricted media access to Gaza. This demand aligns with numerous global news organizations advocating for press freedom within the war-torn region.
On Friday, the Foreign Press Association (FPA) issued a statement urging Israeli authorities to “immediately open the borders and grant international journalists free and independent entry into the Gaza Strip” now that hostilities have paused. The FPA also highlighted that the supreme court is scheduled to review the case on 23 October, following over a year of delays by the state in responding to media access requests.
Since the outbreak of conflict on 7 October 2023, Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza, permitting only a limited number of reporters under strict military escort on tours organized by the Israel Defense Forces.
Consequently, international media outlets have depended heavily on Palestinian journalists and media personnel within Gaza, as well as communications with local civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical staff. However, Palestinian journalists face extreme dangers; the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that 197 media workers have been killed by Israeli strikes over the past two years, marking them as the most endangered journalists worldwide.
Among the recent casualties were Mariam Dagga, a correspondent for the Associated Press and Independent Arabia, who lost her life during an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on 25 August. Reuters journalist Hussam al-Masri was also killed in the same attack.
The CPJ has classified 25 targeted killings of journalists by Israel during this period as deliberate murders. While Israel denies intentionally targeting media personnel, its military has admitted to causing the deaths of reporters, including Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif, whom the IDF controversially labeled, without presenting evidence, as “the head of a terrorist cell.”
Related: International journalists urge Israel to allow reporters into Gaza after ceasefire deal
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has received authorization from Israel to commence expanded humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza starting Sunday, according to a UN official who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press. This aid aims to combat severe malnutrition and famine conditions exacerbated by Israeli military operations and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, accusing them of employing starvation as a warfare tactic-charges that Israeli officials vehemently reject.
The AP reports that 170,000 metric tons of aid supplies have been pre-positioned in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt, awaiting Israeli clearance to resume distribution efforts.
Over the past 24 hours, UN representatives and Israeli officials have held multiple discussions in Jerusalem to negotiate the quantity of aid permitted and the border crossings through which it can be delivered. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric informed the press on Friday that essential items including fuel and medical equipment have begun passing through the Kerem Shalom crossing. The UN is pressing Israel to open additional border points and ensure safe passage for aid workers and civilians returning to areas of Gaza recently subjected to intense bombardment.
In recent months, the United Nations and its affiliated organizations have managed to deliver merely 20% of the essential humanitarian aid required in the Gaza Strip, as reported by Tom Fletcher, the UN’s under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun publicly denounced Israel on Saturday for conducting overnight airstrikes targeting civilian infrastructure. According to the Lebanese health ministry, these attacks resulted in at least one fatality, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“Once again, southern Lebanon has been subjected to unjustified Israeli aggression against civilian sites,” Aoun stated. “The gravity of this recent assault is heightened by its occurrence following the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that an Israeli strike in the al-Msayleh region caused one death and injured seven others. Lebanon’s National News Agency further reported that Israeli warplanes executed ten raids targeting areas where bulldozers and excavators were stationed.
The Israeli military acknowledged these operations, stating that they targeted and dismantled Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon, specifically focusing on engineering equipment used to rebuild such facilities.
Despite a ceasefire established last November, which followed over a year of conflict with the Iran-backed militant group culminating in two months of open warfare, Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump remarked that there is “broad agreement” on the forthcoming phases of the Gaza ceasefire plan, though he conceded that “some details remain to be finalized.” Speaking on Friday, Trump also addressed the situation of hostages still held in Gaza, noting that Hamas is currently relocating them to “some very harsh locations.”
Israel to Release Thousands of Palestinian Prisoners in Hostage Exchange Amid Gaza Ceasefire
Israel is poised to free approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees as part of a negotiated exchange for the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Notably absent from the published list is Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian leader regarded as a unifying figure, who remains classified by Israel as a terrorist and has been excluded from previous prisoner swaps.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and chief negotiator, announced that all women and children imprisoned in Israel will be released. The exchange process is anticipated to commence on Monday, according to Egyptian and Hamas sources familiar with the discussions, though some suggest it could begin as early as Sunday night. These sources requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
Families of hostages, including those believed deceased, hold onto cautious hope. Stephen Brisley, whose sister Lianne Sharabi and her two daughters were killed in the October 7, 2023 attacks, expressed a tempered optimism for the return of his brother-in-law Yossi’s remains, who is thought to have died in an airstrike earlier this year. “We hold our hope lightly because we’ve had our hopes dashed before,” Brisley shared from his home in South Wales.
Global Journalists Demand Access to Gaza Following Ceasefire Agreement
By Joseph Gedeon
International media representatives based in Israel have called for unrestricted access to Gaza now that a ceasefire has been established, joining numerous global organizations advocating for press freedom in the war-torn region.
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) issued a statement urging Israeli authorities to promptly open border crossings and permit independent international journalists to enter Gaza. The FPA also highlighted an upcoming Supreme Court hearing scheduled for October 23, which will address Israel’s prolonged delays in responding to media access requests.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, Israel has largely barred foreign journalists from Gaza, allowing only tightly controlled visits under military supervision. Consequently, international news outlets have depended heavily on Palestinian journalists and local media workers, who face extreme risks. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 197 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli strikes over the past two years.
Among the recent casualties were Mariam Dagga, a reporter for the Associated Press and Independent Arabia, and Reuters journalist Hussam al-Masri, both killed during an Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in August 2024.
The CPJ has condemned Israel for 25 targeted killings of journalists during this period, labeling these acts as deliberate murders. While Israel denies intentionally targeting media personnel, its military has acknowledged the deaths of reporters, including Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif, whom the IDF accused without evidence of terrorist affiliations.
Hostage Release Imminent as Gaza Ceasefire Takes Effect
By Ashifa Kassam
After enduring over 700 days in captivity, the 20 hostages believed to be alive in Gaza are expected to be freed imminently following the Israeli government’s approval of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
These individuals were among 251 people abducted during the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths at the hands of Hamas-led militants.
Hamas is anticipated to release the surviving hostages within 72 hours, after which Israel will reciprocate by freeing 250 Palestinians serving lengthy sentences and an additional 1,700 detainees held in Gaza amid the conflict.
In addition to the living hostages, 26 others are presumed dead, with the status of two remaining unknown. Hamas has indicated that the retrieval of deceased individuals’ bodies may require more time than the release of those still alive.
Further information about the hostages expected to return home is available through detailed profiles and reports.
UN to Ramp Up Humanitarian Aid Deliveries to Gaza Starting Sunday
The United Nations (UN) has received authorization from Israel to significantly increase the volume of aid shipments into Gaza beginning this Sunday, according to a UN representative who requested anonymity to share confidential information, as reported by the Associated Press.
This expanded humanitarian assistance aims to combat the critical malnutrition and famine conditions exacerbated by Israeli military operations and stringent restrictions on aid access. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, accusing them of employing starvation tactics as a weapon of war-a charge Israeli officials vehemently reject.
According to the AP, the aid package includes 170,000 metric tons of supplies pre-positioned in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt, awaiting clearance from Israeli authorities to resume distribution efforts.
Over the past 24 hours, UN representatives and Israeli officials have held intensive negotiations in Jerusalem to determine the scale of aid deliveries and identify which border crossings will be utilized.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric informed the press on Friday that essential items including fuel and medical equipment have begun transiting through the Kerem Shalom crossing. The UN is urging Israel to open additional entry points and guarantee safe passage for aid workers and civilians returning to areas of Gaza recently subjected to heavy bombardment.
In recent months, the UN and its partners have managed to deliver only about 20% of the humanitarian aid required in the Gaza Strip, according to Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Ceasefire in Gaza Confirmed; Hostage Release Expected by Monday
The Israeli Defense Forces officially announced the commencement of a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday. Approximately 48 hostages remain in captivity, with around 20 believed to be alive, and their release is anticipated by Monday.
Palestinian sources reported that the intense shelling in various parts of Gaza largely ceased following the military’s declaration, according to the Associated Press.
In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined the forthcoming phases, emphasizing the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. He stated:
“If this is achieved peacefully, so be it. If not, it will be accomplished by force.”
The Israeli military has indicated it will maintain defensive operations within approximately half of Gaza that remains under its control, having withdrawn to pre-agreed boundaries.
By Seham Tantesh
Returning to Gaza City after several weeks away, Abdel Fattah al-Kurdi found himself disoriented amid the ruins. The familiar streets were unrecognizable, with collapsed buildings strewn across the roads, littered with shattered furniture and debris.
Al-Kurdi identified the Netzarim checkpoint marking his entry into northern Gaza by the grim sight of bodies lying nearby-those who had attempted to return prematurely and were tragically killed by Israeli gunfire, their faces obscured by dust.
“The city has transformed beyond recognition, no longer resembling the Gaza we once knew. Widespread devastation has engulfed the area; nearly every home is destroyed, and the streets are obstructed,” said al-Kurdi, a 40-year-old resident of the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.
Al-Kurdi was among thousands who seized the opportunity presented by Friday’s ceasefire to return home. Footage showed the coastal highway congested with people traveling northward, many on foot.
This marked the first cessation of hostilities since a previous ceasefire collapsed in mid-March. Hamas and Israel agreed to halt fighting to facilitate the release of 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, aiming to bring an end to the two-year conflict.
Despite the ceasefire, al-Kurdi approached his neighborhood with trepidation, uncertain if his home had survived the intense Israeli bombardment targeting Gaza City in recent days.
Related: ‘I expect to find a ghost city’: Gaza residents on the long, arduous journey back home
Lebanon Denounces Israeli Airstrikes Overnight That Resulted in Fatalities
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israel on Saturday for conducting overnight airstrikes targeting civilian infrastructure, which the Lebanese health ministry reported caused at least one death, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
President Aoun stated:
“Once again, southern Lebanon has been subjected to a brutal Israeli assault on civilian sites-without any justification or pretext. The gravity of this attack is heightened by its occurrence following the Gaza ceasefire agreement.”
The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that an Israeli strike in the al-Msayleh region resulted in one fatality and injured seven others.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes executed ten raids targeting yards containing bulldozers and excavators.
The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out strikes in Lebanon, stating that it targeted and dismantled Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon, specifically where engineering equipment was being used to rebuild such facilities.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November after over a year of conflict with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israel has continued to conduct airstrikes in Lebanon.
Trump Asserts Broad Agreement on Next Steps for Gaza Ceasefire Plan
US President Donald Trump declared that “for the most part, there is consensus” regarding the forthcoming phases of the Gaza ceasefire plan, while acknowledging that “some details still need to be finalized.”
Speaking on Friday, Trump addressed the situation of the remaining hostages in Gaza, noting that Hamas is currently gathering them “in some very difficult locations.”
The US president, who has received commendations from both Hamas and many Israeli officials for his role in brokering the ceasefire, expressed confidence that the agreement will endure, citing mutual exhaustion from the prolonged conflict.
Trump is scheduled to host a summit on Gaza during his upcoming visit to Egypt next week, Axios reported. Attendees are expected to include representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not expected to attend.
Trump confirmed plans to meet with numerous leaders in Cairo on Monday to discuss Gaza’s future and is also anticipated to visit Israel to address the Knesset.
Key updates include:
- Thousands of Palestinians returned to the devastated northern Gaza Strip on Friday as a US-mediated ceasefire took effect, raising hopes for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The release of 48 hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed alive, is expected by Monday.
- Uncertainties persist regarding Gaza’s governance following the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and whether Hamas will comply with disarmament demands outlined in Trump’s ceasefire proposal. Prime Minister Netanyahu, who unilaterally ended a previous ceasefire in March, suggested that military operations could resume if Hamas refuses to relinquish its weapons.
- Israel has authorized the UN to escalate humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza starting Sunday, including 170,000 metric tons of supplies pre-positioned in neighboring countries.
- UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that critical supplies such as fuel and medical equipment have begun passing through the Kerem Shalom crossing, with calls for additional border openings and safe access for aid workers and returning civilians.
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israeli overnight strikes on civilian targets in southern Lebanon, which resulted in casualties.
- Israel released a list of Palestinian detainees slated for release under the ceasefire agreement, including 15 in East Jerusalem, 100 in the West Bank, and 135 to be deported. However, high-profile figures like Marwan Barghouti remain excluded, as confirmed by Netanyahu’s office.
