The Israeli Security Cabinet is scheduled to convene at 3:00 PM UTC today, October 9th, 2025, followed by a government meeting at approximately 4:00 PM UTC, to potentially approve the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of a deal with Hamas. This follows President Trump's confirmations this morning, between 2:05 AM and 2:35 AM UTC, that all Israeli hostages were expected to be released on Monday, October 13th, 2025. The Israeli Army confirmed their forces were continuing to encircle Gaza City as reported by Al-Arabiya_Breaking. Mediators have previously announced the finalization of terms for the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement, guaranteed by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Under the proposed deal, the IDF is set to withdraw to a designated line within Gaza within 24 hours of the agreement's signing, with Israel retaining control over an estimated 53% of Gaza's territory until the final hostage release. Hamas will not hold ceremonies for the hostage release, and the Rafah Crossing will be opened in both directions to facilitate the delivery of 600 trucks of aid into Gaza daily, according to N12 News. Delegations from Hamas and Israel are reportedly in the same room, with the agreement expected to be signed imminently. This development occurs amidst ongoing Israeli air strikes and artillery shelling in the center of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, as reported by Al Jazeera. The areas north of the Gaza Valley are still considered dangerous combat zones, per the Israeli occupation army. A previous report from N12 News indicates that deceased hostages will be released later in stages, and Hamas Nukhba terrorists involved in the October 7th attack will not be among those released. In separate statements, aspiring politician Hadar Muchtar (Likud) expressed views on social media on July 2nd, suggesting ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the West Bank and advocating for the conquest and settlement of Gaza to address a housing crisis. Muchtar also called for the cancellation of humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating there are no innocents or hungry people there, and that they are having BBQs. Separately, a social media post shared on X by user Philipp27960841 on October 9th, 2025, claimed that an Israeli air strike on Doha, the Qatari capital, was the best decision in the war and that it changed everything, referencing the first moments of Israeli strikes on a Hamas meeting in Doha. Previous reports also mentioned Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Amihai Eliyahu storming the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron on October 9th, 2025, during the Feast of Tabernacles. Families of hostages had also invited President Trump to an event expressing gratitude for the return of their loved ones, with Trump having assured hostage families of their loved ones' return. President Trump is reportedly scheduled to visit Israel on Sunday, October 12th, 2025.
