Israel has launched dozens of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip just hours after Donald Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, Palestinian officials have claimed.
Gaza’s civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 20 homes had been destroyed in what he called a “very violent night”.
Gaza City’s Baptist hospital said it had received casualties from strikes in the area. Israeli fire killed six people across Gaza Strip, local authorities said. One strike killed four people in a house in Gaza City while another killed two others in Khan Younis in the south, medical workers and local authorities said.
It comes just hours after Donald Trump called for Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza”. He said he he believed Hamas is ready for “lasting peace” after it accepted some elements of his peace plan, including releasing all of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Trump has warned “all hell” will break loose if an agreement is not reached by the end of Sunday.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”
Key Points
- Israel continues to strike Gaza despite Trump's call for 'immediate' stop
- Trump says Israel must immediately stop bombing Gaza
- Hamas agrees to release all hostages as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan
- Israel ready for 'immediate implementation' of first stage of Trump's plan
- Hamas says further negotiations needed
Egypt trying to persuade Hamas to accept Trump’s peace plan
Friday 3 October 2025 08:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarEgypt is working with Qatar and Turkey to persuade Hamas to accept Trump’s proposal, Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty said.
Speaking in Paris, he stressed that Hamas must disarm and Israel should not be given a pretext to continue its assault on Gaza.
“Let’s not give any excuse for one party to use Hamas as a pretext for this mad daily killings of civilians. What’s happening is far beyond the seventh of October,” he said.
“It is beyond revenge. This is ethnic cleansing and genocide in motion. So enough is enough,” Abdelatty said.
Hamas leader in Gaza opposes US ceasefire plan - report
Friday 3 October 2025 08:35 , Taz AliHamas’s military chief in Gaza, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, has reportedly opposed the new US ceasefire plan, believing it aims to dismantle Hamas regardless of its response, according to the BBC.
Israel has accepted the 20-point plan to end the war, put forward by US president Donald Trump, which requires Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in Gaza.
Some Hamas political leaders in Qatar are reportedly open to a modified version of the plan, but they have limited influence as they do not control the hostages held by the group.
Pakistan foreign minister says Trump's Gaza plan 'not ours'
Friday 3 October 2025 09:01 , Taz AliPakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar claimed US president Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan does not align with the draft proposed by a group of Muslim-majority countries.
Speaking during a national assembly session in Islamabad on Friday, he said changes had been made to the original proposal.
"I have made it clear that these 20 points which Trump has made public are not ours,” he said.
“These are not the same as ours. I say that some changes have been made in it, in the draft we had.”
Leaders of Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia and the UAE held a meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month, where the US president discussed his plan for ending the war in Gaza.
Israel launches airstrike near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon
Friday 3 October 2025 10:00 , Taz AliThe Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it struck a Hezbollah facility near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, targeting weapons, buildings and underground infrastructure after detecting "terror activity".
The site, previously hit in May and June, was used to manage Hezbollah’s fire and defence operations, the IDF said on Thursday.
MSF denounces killing of 14th staff member in Israeli attack in Gaza
Friday 3 October 2025 11:00 , Taz AliMédecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said one of its staff members was killed in an airstrike while waiting for a bus in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza.
Occupational therapist Omar Hayek, 42, was killed in the attack that seriously injured four others, the international medical group said on Thursday.
“The attack took place on a street where our teams were waiting to take a bus to the MSF field hospital in Deir Al-Balah. All staff were wearing MSF vests, clearly identifying them as medical humanitarian workers,” the group said in a statement.
Mr Hayek was described as a "quiet man of profound kindness and utter professionalism". MSF said he had recently fled from Gaza City to the south.
He is the 14th MSF staff member killed in Gaza since the war began, the organisation said.
Dutch supreme court orders government to review of F-35 parts exports to Israel
Friday 3 October 2025 12:00 , Taz AliThe Netherlands' highest court has ordered the Dutch government to review its policy on exporting weapons to Israel.
The supreme court on Friday overturned a lower court's ruling that banned the export of F-35 fighter jet parts, but said the government must decide for itself whether there was a risk that the jet parts would be used in violation of international law.
The court gave the government six weeks to complete the review. Until then, the export of the jet parts remains suspended.
Last year, the court of appeal in The Hague ruled that the Netherlands could no longer supply these components because they would constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Situation for mothers and babies 'never been worse' in Gaza, says Unicef
Friday 3 October 2025 13:00 , Taz AliMothers and newborn babies in Gaza face dire conditions, as Nasser hospital in the south of the enclave is overwhelmed with patients fleeing from the north and medical resources running out, Unicef said on Friday.
"The situation for mothers and newborns in Gaza has never been worse. In Nasser hospital, we're seeing hospital corridors lined with women who've just given birth," said James Elder, a spokesperson for the UN children’s agency.
He denounced the Israel-designated safe zones in the south of Gaza as “places of death”.
“The notion of a safe zone in the south is farcical,” he said, pointing out that “bombs are dropped from the sky with chilling predictability; schools, which had been designated as temporary shelters are regularly reduced to rubble, (and) tents… are regularly engulfed in fire from air attacks”.
Greta Thunberg is to be deported after her aid vessel was intercepted by the Israeli military as it neared the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli officials have said.
The final sailing flotilla vessel, Marinette, has been captured 42 nautical miles from Gaza, organisers said on Friday.
The move to stop the Global Sumud Flotilla has sparked backlash from the international community. Turkey’s foreign ministry called Israel’s interception “an act of terror”.
Read more here:
Greta Thunberg Gaza flotilla live: Final Flotilla vessel Marinette intercepted
In pictures: Palestinians flee northern Gaza
Friday 3 October 2025 15:00 , Taz Ali
Trump gives Hamas until Sunday to agree Gaza ceasefire plan
Friday 3 October 2025 15:30 , Taz AliUS president Donald Trump has given Hamas until Sunday to agree to his Gaza ceasefire plan, or else “all hell” will break out if a deal is not reached by then.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, he warned Hamas will be given “one last chance”.
“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” he wrote.
“Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”
Palestinian Authority cautiously welcomes Trump's Gaza plan but flags major gaps
Friday 3 October 2025 16:00 , Bel TrewThe Palestinian authorities in the occupied West Bank have welcomed Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan as a “starting point” for a comprehensive peace deal, but said there is too much “ambiguity” in timeline of key aspects, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops and no mention of the West Bank.
Omar Awadallah, deputy foreign minister for the Palestinian Authority (PA) - the internationally recognised Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank - told The Independent that while Hamas had previously agreed not to be involved in the future running of Gaza, he was not sure if the militant group would agree to the rest of the proposal.
From the PA’s perspective they were concerned about the “ambiguity”.
“There are items which need clarification. This plan needs a timeframe, an action plan, and a schedule for the implementation of its aspects,” he told The Independent.
“The plan should be clearer about what kind of reforms are needed.”
The other gaping hole was the lack of mention of the occupied West Bank where at least 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since October 2023 , according to the UN.
“For ending the war in Gaza, we have no issue with this plan. We are open to engage and discuss it in good faith. But what about the West Bank? Where is the West Bank? Where is the state of Palestine? Where is the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination? Where is the mention of annexation, the settlements, and settler terrorism?” he asked.
Gulf states to advance Trump peace plan without Hamas - report
Friday 3 October 2025 17:00 , Taz AliThe Gulf states plan to move forward with Donald Trump’s 21-point plan without Hamas's cooperation, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
They aim to implement Article 17 of the plan, which allows Israel to transfer “terror-free zones” to a temporary international stabilisation force even if Hamas delays or rejects the proposal, according to the report.
Gulf officials acknowledge the plan is incomplete and lacks definitions for “terror-free zones”. It does not offer details on the international force’s composition, deployment timeline or its role in dismantling Hamas's control.
One Gulf official called it the best plan since the war began, saying: “No one is willing to waste the opportunity.”
Trump's statement in full
Friday 3 October 2025 18:00 , Taz Ali"We will have PEACE in the Middle East one way or the other. The violence and bloodshed will stop. RELEASES THE HOSTAGES, ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE BODIES OF THOSE THAT ARE DEAD, NOW! An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C.… pic.twitter.com/TiIzOLFhE5
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 3, 2025
IDF threw grenades near peacekeepers and Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon, says Unifil
Friday 3 October 2025 19:00 , Taz AliThe UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said Israeli forces threw grenades near its personnel and Lebanese soldiers in southern Lebanon.
Unifil and Lebanese troops were assisting civilian workers clearing the ruins of war-damaged homes in the village of Maroun ar-Ras on Thursday when grenades exploded near their teams at two sites, the peacekeeping force said.
“Moments later, the first group saw a drone fly overhead and witnessed an explosion about 30-40 metres away,” Unifil said in a statement.
“About 20 minutes after that, the second group saw another drone drop a grenade that exploded just 20 metres over their heads.”
No casualties were reported in the incident, and there was no immediate comment from the IDF.
Erdogan tells Trump peace in Middle East depends on Israel halting attacks
Friday 3 October 2025 20:00 , Taz AliTurkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Donald Trump in a phone call that Turkey supports regional peace efforts but warned they cannot succeed unless Israel halts its attacks,
In the US-requested call on Friday, Erdogan said his country would back peace initiatives and contribute to the US president’s global peace vision, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
The two also discussed strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in defence cooperation, the statement added.
Water supply to resume in central Gaza after nine-month cut-off
Friday 3 October 2025 21:00 , Taz AliThe Palestinian Water Authority says running water would return to central Gaza after Israeli strikes damaged supply lines, cutting access for more than nine months.
The Ramallah-based authority said that during a trial, water flows were restored to nearly one million people in al-Maghazi, al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Deir Al-Balah, areas where displaced Gazans have crowded amid ongoing conflict.
Repairs were delayed due to Israeli military activity and had to be coordinated with Israeli authorities, the authority said, according to a report by the AFP news agency.
The main water line is supplied by Mekorot, Israel’s state-owned water company, with costs covered by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Humanitarian organisations say 80 per cent of Gaza’s water distribution network remains damaged, leaving most Palestinians without safe or reliable access. Many rely on humanitarian water trucks or temporary distribution sites.
BREAKING NEWS: Hamas agrees to release all hostages as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan
Friday 3 October 2025 21:08 , Joe MiddletonHamas said on Friday it would agree to some aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, including releasing hostages and handing over administration of the enclave, but that it would seek negotiations over many of its other terms.
In a copy of the statement seen by Reuters, Hamas issued its response to Trump's 20-point plan after the U.S. president gave the Palestinian militant group until Sunday to accept or reject the proposal. Trump has not said whether the terms would be subject to negotiation, as Hamas is seeking.
Notably, Hamas did not say whether it would agree to a stipulation that it disarm, a demand by Israel and the U.S. that it has previously rejected.
In its statement, Hamas said it "appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, (and) the immediate entry of aid," among other terms.
It said it was announcing its "approval of releasing all occupation prisoners both living and remains according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange."
But Hamas added: "In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter, through the mediators, into negotiations to discuss the details."
Hamas will not disarm before Israeli occupation ends - senior official
Friday 3 October 2025 21:34 , Joe MiddletonSenior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera on Friday the group would not disarm before the Israeli "occupation" ends, adding the issues over Gaza’s future should be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework which Hamas will be part of.
The official added that Hamas will enter negotiations on all issues related to the group and its arms.
Hamas officials say negotiations needed
Friday 3 October 2025 22:00 , Athena StavrouTrump's proposal "cannot be implemented without negotiations," senior Hamas officials have said.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior official based outside of Gaza, spoke to the Al Jazeera network on Friday after Hamas said it would accept aspects of Donald Trump’s plan.
He said it might be difficult for Hamas release all the hostages within 72 hours as the proposal dictates, because it could take days or weeks to locate the remains of some of the captives.
Abu Marzouk said Hamas was willing to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian body that runs Gaza, but there was no mention of that in the official statement.
He also took issue with the proposal's language about ridding Gaza of terrorists, since Hamas considers itself a national liberation movement.
Another Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby television that Hamas would refuse foreign administration of the Gaza Strip and that the entry of foreign forces would be "unacceptable."
Hamas 'ready to hand over the administration of Gaza'
Friday 3 October 2025 22:10 , Athena StavrouHamas have said it is willing to hand over the administration of Gaza to an Independent Palestinian body.
The group said it was ready "to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing."
Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official based outside of Gaza also said Hamas was willing to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian body that runs Gaza.
Donald Trump to give press conference
Friday 3 October 2025 22:18 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump is expected to speak at a press conference shortly.
His press secretary posted a picture of the US president preparing for the press conference shortly after Hamas accepted part of his peace plan.
Karoline Leavitt wrote: “Behind the Scenes in the Oval Office: President Trump responds to Hamas’ acceptance of his Peace Plan. Stay tuned!”
Behind the Scenes in the Oval Office: President Trump responds to Hamas’ acceptance of his Peace Plan.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) October 3, 2025
Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/iw1fXIWyls
Trump says Israel must immediately stop bombing Gaza
Friday 3 October 2025 22:20 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump has said Israel must “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza” after Hamas accepted part of his peace plan.
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!
“Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
Qatar welcomes Hamas' acceptance of peace plan
Friday 3 October 2025 22:40 , Athena StavrouQatar has welcomed Hamas’ acceptance of part of Donald Trump’s peace plan.
Dr. Majed Al Ansari, an advisor to Qatar’s prime minister, wrote on X: “The State of Qatar welcomes the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to President Trump’s plan, and its readiness to release all hostages as part of the exchange framework outlined in the plan.
“We also affirm our support for the statements made by the President calling for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe and swift release of hostages, and to achieve rapid results that would put an end to the bloodshed of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“At the same time, the State of Qatar affirms that it has begun working with its partners in the mediation the Arab Republic of Egypt, in coordination with the United States of America, to continue discussions on the plan in order to ensure a path toward ending the war.”
ترحّب دولة قطر بإعلان حركة حماس موافقتها على مقترح فخامة الرئيس دونالد ترامب لإنهاء الحرب في غزة، واستعدادها لإطلاق سراح جميع الرهائن، ضمن صيغة التبادل الواردة في المقترح.
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) October 3, 2025
كما نؤكد دعمنا لتصريحات فخامة الرئيس الأمريكي الداعية للوقف الفوري لإطلاق النار لتيسير إطلاق سراح الرهائن…
A ceasefire is within reach, says Macron
Friday 3 October 2025 23:04 , Athena StavrouEmmanuel Macron has issued a statement after Hamas said it would accept part of Donald Trump’s peace deal.
“The release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach! Hamas' commitment must be followed up without further delay,” the French president wrote on X.
“We now have the opportunity to move decisively towards peace. France will play its full part in this, continuing its efforts at the United Nations, with the United States, Israelis and Palestinians, and all of its international partners.
“I thank President Trump and his teams for their mobilization in favor of peace.”
La libération de tous les otages détenus et le cessez-le-feu à Gaza sont à portée de main !
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 3, 2025
L’engagement du Hamas doit être suivi d’effet sans plus tarder.
Nous avons maintenant la possibilité d’avancer de manière décisive vers la paix.…
UN chief urges all to seize opportunity to end Gaza war
Friday 3 October 2025 23:19 , Athena StavrouThe United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is encouraged by Hamas’ statement this evening.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday: "He urges all parties to seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end.”
Egypt hopes "positive development" to Trump's Gaza plan will help implement it
Friday 3 October 2025 23:44 , Athena StavrouEgypt has said it hopes "positive development" will lead all parties to implement Donald Trump’s peace plan, according to a foreign ministry statement.
It said it will exert all effort with Arab states, the US, and European countries to reach a permanent ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.
Trump issues statement from White House after Hamas accepts plan
Friday 3 October 2025 23:57 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump has released a statement after Hamas accepted part of his peace plan.
In a clip filmed in the White House president Trump said it was a "big day" and said he was "looking forward to having the hostages come home to their parents".
He added: "This is a very special day. Maybe unprecedented. In many ways it is unprecedented. Thank you all and thank you to all those great countries that helped.
“We were given a tremendous amount of help and everyone was unified, wanting this war to end and wanting peace in the Middle East."
Hostage families call on Netanyahu to negotiate peace
Saturday 4 October 2025 00:02 , Athena StavrouThe Hostages Families Forum have called on the Israeli prime minister to begin “swift” negotiations, after Hamas agreed to release all remaining hostages as part of Trump’s peace agreement.
In a statement, the group said it stands firmly with President Trump “in his commitment to bring home all the hostages and end the war”.
They added: “President Trump’s demand to stop the war immediately is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages.
“We call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations to bring all our hostages home.”
Full story: Trump tells Israel it ‘must immediately stop’ bombing Gaza after Hamas accepts deal
Saturday 4 October 2025 00:39 , Athena Stavrou
Trump tells Israel it ‘must immediately stop’ bombing Gaza after Hamas accepts deal
Hamas accepts peace plan hours after Trump's ultimatum - recap
02:00 , Athena StavrouHamas’ acceptance of Donald Trump’s peace deal came hours after the US president gave them until Sunday to agree to his plan.
He posted an ultimatum giving them until 6pm on Sunday to accept the deal and vowed “all hell” would break out had an accord not been reached by then.
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” he said, adding later that there would be “PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”
He also threatened Hamas several times in his Truth Social post, claiming that its members are “surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO’, for their lives to be quickly extinguished” by Israeli forces while vowing that Hamas militants “will be hunted down and killed” and urging Palestinian civilians to evacuate “this area of potentially great future death” in Gaza City “for safer parts of Gaza.”
Israel ready for 'immediate implementation' of first stage of Trump's plan
02:22 , Samantha BeechPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for the implementation of the “first stage” of Trump’s plan, referring to the release of hostages.
But his office said in a statement that Israel was committed to ending the war based on principles it has set out before without addressing potential gaps with Hamas.
"In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of President Trump’s plan for the prompt release of all the hostages,” the statement from Netanyahu's office said.
“We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set out by Israel, which are aligned with President Trump’s vision."
Read Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan in full
03:00 , Athena Stavrou
Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan in full, including ‘Board of Peace’ and Tony Blair’s role
Australia urges Hamas to agree to Trump's plan
04:33 , Adam WithnallThis morning in Australia, prime minister Anthony Albanese has released a statement saying his country “welcomes progress on President Trump’s plan to bring peace to Gaza”.
His comment came after Hamas said it was willing to implement the first stage of the plan to release Israeli hostages, but that it wanted negotiations on other aspects of the agreement.
Mr Albanese said Australia “have consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid to reach those in need”.
“I reiterate our call on Hamas to agree to the plan, lay down its arms and release all remaining hostages without delay,” he said.
“Together with our partners, Australia will continue to support efforts to end the war and work towards a just and sustainable two-state solution.”
Macron: Gaza ceasefire now 'within reach'
05:35 , Adam WithnallEmmanuel Macron has tweeted his reaction to Hamas’s statement about the peace plan:
The release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 3, 2025
Hamas' commitment must be followed up without delay.
We now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace.
France will play its full part…
Keir Starmer calls Hamas's partial acceptance of peace plan 'significant step forwards'
06:58 , Adam WithnallSir Keir Starmer has labelled Hamas' partial acceptance of a peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump as a "significant step forwards" and called for an "agreement without delay".
Hamas said it has accepted elements of the plan to end the nearly two-year war, including being willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians.
Further negotiations were needed on other areas, according to senior Hamas officials.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: "Hamas' acceptance of the US peace plan is a significant step forwards.
"We strongly support President Trump's efforts, which have brought us closer to peace than ever before.
"There is now an opportunity to end the fighting, for the hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it.
"We call on all sides to implement the agreement without delay."
He said the UK was ready to support further negotiations and work "towards sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike".
Analysis: Trump, Hamas and Israel are all backing different deals
08:08 , Bel TrewWas Friday night’s announcement from Hamas the moment millions have been dreaming of and campaigning for? The end to mass slaughter in Gaza? To the two-year-long nightmare for the families of Israeli hostages and captives? The end to a region-wide war that has pushed the world to the brink?
The problem is that the 20-point plan is vague. So vague, in fact, that it has allowed Trump, Netanyahu, Hamas, and key figures in the region to effectively release and promote their own interpretations of it.
The statements accompanying each endorsement paint such entirely different pictures, you wonder whether they were even looking at the same document. And this, I fear, will be the issue when it comes to actually trying to implement it and achieve much sought after peace.
Trump has announced peace in the Middle East - the devil is in the detail
Israel continues to strike Gaza despite Trump's call for 'immediate' stop
08:51 , Adam WithnallIsrael has continued to strike Gaza this morning, according to Palestinian officials, despite Donald Trump’s call for an immediate stop to the bombardment.
Israeli fire killed six people across the Gaza Strip, local authorities said. One strike killed four people in a house in Gaza City while another killed two others in Khan Younis in the south, medical workers and local authorities said.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said early on Saturday that Israel was preparing for an "immediate implementation" of the first stage of Trump's Gaza plan for the release of Israeli hostages following Hamas' response.
Shortly after, Israeli media reported that the country's political echelon had instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza.
The Israeli military chief of staff instructed forces in a statement to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s plan, without mentioning whether there would be reduction of military activity in Gaza.
Israeli military urges people not to return to northern Gaza
09:17 , Adam WithnallThe Israeli military’s Arab-language spokesperson has issued a new statement this morning warning residents not to return to northern Gaza.
It reads: To all residents of the Gaza Strip: The area north of Wadi Gaza remains a dangerous combat zone.
Remaining in this area is dangerous; therefore the Rashid route is still open for your movement south.
IDF troops are still operating in Gaza City, and returning to it is extremely dangerous.
For your safety, avoid returning north or approaching areas of IDF troop activity anywhere - including in the southern Gaza Strip.
Hostage families call for vigil ahead of 7 October anniversary
10:00 , Adam WithnallA group representing the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza – the Hostages and Missing Families Forum – has said we appear to be in “decisive days” for a deal to return their loved ones from Hamas captivity.
They called for a vigil tonight in Hostages Square ahead of the second anniversary of the 7 October attack.
“We are in decisive days for a deal – days that will determine when the living hostages return for rehabilitation and the deceased return for proper burial,” the group said in a statement.
“This is the hour when all of Israel must stand together and demand loudly: do everything possible to bring our brothers and sisters home.
“The square is where we can all send a clear message together: Bring them all home and end the war! We will not stop until the last hostage returns.
“This is the time, the place, and the moment to prove that nothing is stronger than Israeli solidarity.”
Islamic Jihad backs Hamas response to US Gaza plan
10:24 , Tara CobhamPalestinian Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas that also holds Israeli hostages, on Saturday endorsed Hamas’s response to a US plan to end the war in Gaza, a move that could help pave the way for the release of Israeli captives still held by both groups.
"Hamas' (reaction) to Trump's plan represents the position of the Palestinian resistance factions, and the Islamic Jihad participated responsibly in the consultations that led to this decision," the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad, which is smaller than Hamas but seen as more hardline, said in a statement.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, on Friday accepted certain key parts of US President Donald Trump's plan, including ending the war, Israel's withdrawal and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives.
Hamas' stance, and its backing by Islamic Jihad, may raise the spirit of Gazans, who had watched one ceasefire effort after another fail as Israeli strikes pulverised the strip over the past two years, created a humanitarian crisis and displaced millions.
Palestinians have mixed reaction to US plan to end war in Gaza
10:40 , Tara CobhamPalestinians have had a mixed reaction to a US plan to end the war in Gaza.
“Happy news, it saves those who are still alive, it saves the people, and thank God that they (Hamas) agreed. This is enough, good people. We are tired, I swear to God, we are tired, tired," said Palestinian Saoud Qarneyta, 32.
But others were cautious, expressing fear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will ultimately withdraw from any plan to end the war.
"What is important is that Netanyahu does not sabotage this, because now that Hamas agreed, Netanyahu will disagree, as he usually does," said Jerusalem resident Jamal Shihada.
Turkey says citizens from Gaza aid flotilla to return on special flight Saturday
11:00 , Tara CobhamThirty-six Turkish nationals aboard vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was seized by Israeli forces, are expected to return to Turkey on a special flight on Saturday afternoon, the Turkish foreign ministry said.
Citizens of other countries are also expected to be on board the flight, it added.
"The final number has not yet been confirmed," the ministry said in a statement.
The plane, operated by Turkish Airlines, is expected to land at Istanbul Airport sometime after 2.30pm local time (11.30am GMT), the ministry said.
Work was also under way to complete procedures for remaining Turkish citizens as soon as possible, it said.
Israel faced international condemnation on Thursday after its military intercepted almost all of about 40 boats in a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza and took captive more than 450 foreign activists.
The flotilla, which set sail in late August, marked the latest attempt by activists to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza where Israel has been waging an offensive since Hamas’ October 2023 attack.
Israeli officials have repeatedly denounced the mission as a stunt. The Israeli foreign ministry had said the flotilla was previously warned that it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a "lawful naval blockade," and asked organisers to change course.
Israeli airstrikes persist but are less intense
11:20 , Tara CobhamIsraeli airstrikes persisted early on Saturday but they were less intense, after US President Trump had called for a halt to the bombing saying Hamas was ready for peace.
Israeli fire killed six people across Gaza Strip, local authorities said. One strike killed four people in a house in Gaza City while another killed two others in Khan Younis in the south, medical workers and local authorities said.
Trump has invested significant political capital in efforts to end Gaza war
11:40 , Tara CobhamDonald Trump, who has cast himself as the only person capable of achieving peace in Gaza, has invested significant political capital in efforts to end the two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and left US ally Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage.
The US president said on Friday that he believed Hamas had shown it was "ready for a lasting PEACE" and he put the onus on Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
"Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Netanyahu caught between growing pressure from both sides domestically
12:01 , Tara CobhamDomestically, Benjamin Netanyahu is caught between growing pressure from both sides.
Hostage families and a war-weary public are calling for an end to the war, while hardline members of his far-right coalition are insisting there must be no let-up in Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
IDF warns residents Gaza city remains 'dangerous' combat zone
12:20 , Tara CobhamThe Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson issued a warning on Saturday for residents of Gaza city, saying it remained a "dangerous" combat zone.
He urged residents in a post on X to avoid going north in the enclave or nearing any areas where the military operates.
News website Axios earlier reported that the Israeli military will shift to defensive operations in Gaza and halt its plan to seize Gaza City.
#عاجل ‼️إعلان وإنذار عاجل إلى جميع سكان قطاع غزة
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) October 4, 2025
🔴المنطقة الواقعة شمال وادي غزة ما زالت تعتبر منطقة قتال خطيرة. البقاء في هذه المنطقة يشكّل خطرًا كبيرًا ولذلك يبقى شارع الرشيد مفتوحًا أمامكم للانتقال جنوبًا
⭕️قوات جيش الدفاع لا تزال تُطوّق مدينة غزة حيث تشكل محاولة العودة إليها… pic.twitter.com/882HY8gu1l
Gaza death toll passes 67,000
12:42 , Tara CobhamThe death toll in the nearly two-year Israel-Hamas war has passed 67,000 Palestinians, Gaza's Health Ministry has said.
The death toll jumped after the ministry said it added more than 700 names to the list whose data had been verified.
It comes as Israel's military said it is preparing for the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and return all of the remaining hostages.
The army has moved to a defensive only position and will not actively strike, according to an official who was not authorized to speak to the media.
Israel says it is in 'defensive' mode
13:10 , Tara CobhamIsrael's army has said it will advance preparations for the first phase of Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and return all the remaining hostages.
The army said it was instructed by Israel's leaders to "advance readiness" for the implementation of the plan. An official who was not authorized to speak to the media on the record told the Associated Press that Israel has moved to a defensive-only position in Gaza and will not actively strike.
The official said no forces have been removed from the strip.
Closing blog for now
16:11 , Chris StevensonWe are closing this blog for now – read the latest here:
‘Dozens’ of airstrikes on Gaza despite Trump call for Israel to stop bombing
