10/09/2025

Israel and Hamas Seal First-Phase Ceasefire Deal

The Middle-East Truce

After marathon talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Israel and Hamas accepted the opening stage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, promising a halt to fighting, a phased troop pullback and a sweeping hostage-for-prisoners exchange. A source briefed on the text said the first living captives could leave Gaza by Saturday.

Across the region there was jubilation: Palestinians erupted in pre-dawn celebrations, while hostage families in Tel Aviv’s “Hostages Square” wept with relief, as captured in Reuters’ on-the-ground reporting. Global leaders—from Netanyahu and Trump to Pope Leo—hailed “a great day for the world”. Qatar said all implementation mechanisms are settled; Turkey vowed to monitor strict compliance.

Yet uncertainties remain: negotiations over Gaza’s post-war governance will restart “immediately”, and militant factions still reject surrendering arms. The war’s toll is immense: more than 67,000 Gazans and 1,200 Israelis have been killed since October 2023.

Ripples in the Markets

Relief over the truce trimmed some safe-haven demand, but bullion’s momentum barely slowed. Spot gold punched through $4,000 for the first time, topping $4,050, while silver soared to a record. Analysts cited “once-in-a-generation” uncertainty— from U.S. fiscal strains to France’s political gridlock—feeding the rally. Central-bank buying and bets on U.S. rate cuts are sustaining the surge, says UBS and Reuters.

Oil markets steadied, but investors kept an eye on renewed sanctions talk: Washington black-listed 15 Chinese firms for supplying drone parts used by Hamas and Yemen’s Houthis, underscoring how the conflict still rattles supply chains.

Europe in Turmoil

While guns quiet in Gaza, Paris hears only political cross-fire. Searching for his sixth premier in two years, President Emmanuel Macron must name a successor to the 29-day government of Sebastien Lecornu within 48 hours, according to the Elysée (Reuters). Rival blocs refuse compromise, and far-right leader Marine Le Pen has vowed to “vote against everything”. Markets fear a budget meltdown; bonds remain volatile despite optimism France can avoid snap polls.

In Brussels, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen faces dual censure motions, exposing rifts over trade and green laws; though expected to survive, analysts see a warning shot ahead of 2026 elections.

On the bloc’s fringes, new biometric border checks debut Sunday, meaning longer passport queues for millions of non-EU travellers, including Britons.

Diplomacy on the Move

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrapped his first India tour touting “unparalleled” trade gains from July’s accord and even snagged three new Bollywood blockbusters for UK studios. He welcomed the Gaza deal but urged “swift implementation” in a separate statement.

At the Vatican, Pope Leo implored journalists to shun “click-bait” and guard truth in wartime, while also challenging U.S. bishops to confront Trump’s immigration crackdown, according to Reuters.

Moscow hosted Central Asian leaders as President Putin ventures abroad despite an ICC warrant; meanwhile he signalled tentative support for the Gaza plan, calling it “the best on the table” (interview).

Flashpoints & Security

On Europe’s eastern flank, Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy said his counter-offensive is inflicting “heavy losses” on Russian forces near Pokrovsk, contradicting Putin’s claims of momentum. In Asia, Taipei warned that China is honing surprise-attack capabilities and waging AI-driven “cognitive warfare”. North Korea feted its ruling party’s 80th anniversary, welcoming delegations from China, Russia and Vietnam (Reuters), while Seoul tracked parade preparations.

Strategic stability frayed elsewhere: Russia’s Duma voted to scrap a key plutonium-disposal pact and hinted it would mirror any U.S. nuclear test. Washington, in turn, expanded sanctions to curb Iranian-linked drone supply chains (see Entity List update).

Human Stories Behind the Headlines

From the flooded streets of northern Vietnam (record deluge kills eight) to Argentina where a court jailed the failed assassin of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (AFP/Reuters), ordinary lives continue to intersect global drama. AFP’s new documentary “Inside Gaza” meanwhile chronicles the perilous work of local journalists covering the very war now poised—at last—for a fragile pause.