Israelis and Palestinians rejoiced on Thursday after a ceasefire and hostage deal was announced under the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's initiative to end the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it would take effect only once ratified by the Israeli cabinet,

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi also said Wednesday that the messages he had received out of the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh were "very encouraging."

Israel intercepted another flotilla attempting to break the naval blockade and reach Gaza. This comes just days after another fleet was intercepted.

Meanwhile indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing a deal to end the war in Gaza are continuing in Egypt.

Early on Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led fighters launched a multipronged terrorist attack on Israel. The resulting war in Gaza has created a humanitarian catastrophe.

As Israelis come together to mourn those killed two years ago by Hamas, the sounds of the ongoing war in Gaza reverberate over a solemn memorial.

Former Israeli generals link today’s hunt for Hamas terrorists to Golda Meir’s post-Munich strategy of retribution and deterrence, still shaping national defense five decades later.