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Palestine

October 17, 2025

Ramallah 12:18 am

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Palestinian Hamas fighters carry their guns in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip as preparations take place for the release of three Israeli hostages, as part of the seventh hostage-prisoner swap on Feb. 22, 2025.

Analysis

What will it take to disarm Hamas?

Hamas could be open to a compromise that requires it to surrender “offensive” weapons only.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

General view of the Rafah Border Crossing on Oct. 9, 2025 in Rafah, Egypt.

Rafah reopening in limbo as Israel accuses Hamas of delaying return of hostages’ remains

Delays by Hamas in returning hostage remains are complicating Israel’s reopening of the Rafah crossing and could stall the next steps of the US-mediated ceasefire.

Gaza

Exclusive

Turkey readies Gaza rescue crews pending final dispatch decision

The dispatch of Turkish search and rescue crews remains pending coordination with other countries and final approval in Ankara.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Latest News

With ceasefire on shaky ground, Trump declares Gaza plan’s next phase

President Donald Trump poses with the signed agreement at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

FIFA, Arab League, World Bank: Who's pledging what toward Gaza’s $70B reconstruction?

ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas targets opponents in violent bid to rebuild authority in Gaza

BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Daoud Kuttab

Palestine Columnist

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

Rasha Abou Jalal

In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Abeer Ayyoub

In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Fatima AbdulKarim

In Ramallah, reporting on the West Bank

US President Donald Trump (C-R) and other world leaders pose for a photo during a summit of European and Middle Eastern leaders on Oct. 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Trump, in Egypt, signs Gaza peace deal, vows war 'is over'

US President Donald Trump praised his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, upon his arrival to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh ahead of a Gaza peace summit on Monday, saying he played a “very important role” in the ceasefire agreement reached last week.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem.

Trump hails Gaza hostage deal in Knesset speech, vows to expand Abraham Accords

In a triumphant speech at the Knesset, US President Donald Trump hailed the release of surviving hostages from Gaza and pledged support for Gaza’s reconstruction and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.

Protesters wave Iranian and Palestinian flags in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza during a demonstration in Tehran on Oct. 10, 2025.

Analysis

Iran publicly praises Gaza ceasefire but frets over its isolation and Israel’s gains

Iran has officially welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and has called for accountability over Israeli "genocide." Yet, sidelined from the US-Arab diplomacy, Tehran risks exposing its diminishing regional clout as it weighs the strategic costs of the conflict.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaks during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza on Oct. 28, 2023, at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey.

Analysis

Turkey’s long-sought Gaza mediator role brings high risks and high rewards

If Ankara is seen as adopting an overly enthusiastic pro-Hamas stance, it risks provoking US President Donald Trump’s ire and further deteriorating relations with Israel.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Israeli army soldiers gather near infantry-fighting vehicles (IFVs) at a position along the Israel-Gaza border fence on October 10, 2025. Gaza's civil defence agency said October 10 that Israeli forces have begun pulling back from parts of the territory, particularly in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Israeli prime minister's office said that the government had "approved the framework" of a hostage release deal with Hamas, as both sides edged closer to ending more than two years of hostilities in Gaza. (Photo by

Analysis

Netanyahu gamble appears to pay off as Israelis cheer Gaza retreat, planned hostage release

The Israeli military started its withdrawal from the Strip even before receiving a formal order to do so.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

People walk along a destroyed road past heavily-damaged buildings in the centre of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 10, 2025, as the displaced return to their homes after Israeli forces' withdrawal.

Pentagon bolsters Gaza ceasefire oversight with 200-troop mission to Israel

US military officials will help coordinate everything from logistics of humanitarian aid deliveries to building security force teams, but doubts remain as to whether any side can force Hamas to disarm.

Abbas at UN

PA’s Abbas jostles for seat at the table as Gaza ceasefire progresses

The Palestinian government in Ramallah is hoping to cement its influence in Gaza’s postwar governance as ceasefire talks advance.

People celebrate at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Oct. 9, 2025, following the announcement of the new Gaza ceasefire deal.

Israel's cabinet convenes to ratify Trump Gaza deal, military readies for retreat

Israeli officials are preparing for the release of 20 living hostages held in Gaza either on Saturday or Sunday and for a possible visit by the US president on Sunday.

Palestinian children celebrate at a camp for displaced people in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Oct. 9, 2025, following news of a new Gaza ceasefire deal.

How the Israel-Hamas deal could unfold in the coming days

Israel and Hamas are set for a long-awaited hostage-prisoner swap, but significant obstacles remain to a permanent ceasefire.

Demonstrators march toward the Israeli parliament (Knesset) headquarters in protest of Israeli hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

Trump says Israel, Hamas 'sign off' on phase 1 of Gaza truce deal

The announcement comes after key mediators, including from the Trump administration, joined the talks in Egypt.