The Israeli government meeting to approve the ceasefire agreement was delayed by one hour as of 3:08 PM UTC on October 9th, 2025. This development occurred as high-level U.S. officials, including Witkoff and Kushner, landed in Israel after meeting with Egyptian President el-Sisi in Cairo. Documentation from Egypt showed celebrations for the ceasefire, with light planes carrying Egyptian and Palestinian flags. Previous reports indicated the ceasefire officially took effect at 11:05 AM UTC on October 9th, 2025, following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of the first phase of a hostage-release deal. However, the commencement of the ceasefire had been subject to Israeli cabinet approval, with tanks previously deployed on the Al-Rashid Coastal Road. A senior security official, speaking during the conflict, suggested that militias involved in fighting should be integrated into an overall arrangement. Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire are expected to begin one day after hostages are released. Egypt previously informed U.S. diplomats that it would not permit Israel to maintain a permanent presence along the Gaza-Egypt border, while Israel maintains its position in the Philadelphi Corridor to prevent weapons smuggling. The International Court of Justice is scheduled to issue an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations on October 22nd, 2025.
