War in Israel: Update on Current Situation
September 30, 2025 – October 7 War, Day 725, 48 hostages remain in captivity
Israel‘s President Isaac Herzog:
“The plan presented this evening by (President Donald Trump) offers real hope for the release of the hostages, for ensuring the security of Israel, for ending the war, and for changing the reality in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East toward a new era of regional and international partnership. I welcome the plan and call for its rapid implementation.
“I thank President Trump for his leadership and for his steadfast and stalwart support for the State of Israel. I congratulate Prime Minister Netanyahu on this important progress. And I thank all the countries, individuals, and parties taking part in the process who are bringing hope to the peoples of the region. On behalf of all the people of Israel, I salute the courage of our fighters whose heroism laid the groundwork for the renewed hope to bring all the hostages home, and for moving toward an end of the war and the beginning of the ‘day after.’ Now the entire world must set a clear and immediate condition — that the terrorist organization Hamas agree to the plan set out by President Trump, and allow a future of hope for the peoples of the region.” See here.
See here for Jewish Federations of North America’s statement on the emerging deal.
The Emerging Hamas-Israel Ceasefire Deal
- Following their White House meeting yesterday, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a comprehensive 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
- The US plan has been formally accepted by Israel and most of the Arab world. European leaders, along with the Palestinian Authority, also welcomed the plan, which calls for:
- An immediate cessation of hostilities.
- Hamas is required to release all Israeli hostages—both living and deceased—within 72 hours of the ceasefire agreement. In return, Israel would halt military operations and release approximately 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds who are serving life sentences for murdering Israelis.
- Gaza would be placed under a transitional technocratic administration, supervised by an international body co-chaired by President Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. This “Board of Peace” would oversee the region’s governance, ensuring a neutral and stable environment. Most of the “technocrats” would be local Palestinians.
- If the Palestinian Authority complies with the reforms outlined in the plan, it will eventually take over control of Gaza from the temporary administration.
- The plan mandates the dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure and the establishment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to maintain security. It also outlines a comprehensive reconstruction strategy, including the creation of a special economic zone to foster development and stability.
- Hamas members who disarm and commit to peaceful coexistence would receive amnesty and safe passage if they choose to leave Gaza. This provision aims to facilitate the transition to a peaceful and secure environment.
- Humanitarian aid would be restored to levels defined in the January 19, 2025 agreement, focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, food supply, and mobility, with distribution managed by organizations such as the UN and Red Crescent; the Rafah crossing would reopen under its previous mechanism.
- A Trump-branded economic initiative would seek private and public investment, including a special economic zone offering preferred access terms to attract funding and generate employment.
- Read the full plan here.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly endorsed the plan, stating that it aligns with Israel‘s objectives, including the return of all hostages, the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities, and the prevention of future threats from Gaza. Watch the Prime Minister’s press conference with President Trump here.
- Hamas has not yet accepted the terms of the plan. Negotiators are reportedly reviewing the proposal, but no official agreement has been reached. Trump warned Hamas, saying that “if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they’re the only one left. Everyone else has accepted it, but I have a feeling that we’re going to have a positive answer. But if not, as you know, Bibi, you have our full backing to do what you would.”
- Earlier today, prominent Israeli journalist Amit Segal wrote, “Hamas (leadership) is currently a collection of frightened men who not long ago narrowly escaped an Israeli strike with advanced weaponry. They are in a room surrounded by Qatari guards, fully aware of what will happen to them if they say no to the deal Donald Trump has placed before them, because Qatar has given a commitment to the President of the United States.” Watch Segal’s interview on CNN here.
- During the White House meeting, President Trump placed a phone call to Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani and then handed the phone to Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister apologized for killing a Qatari citizen in the recent air strike and pledged that Israel would not attack the Gulf state again.
- While many members of Israel’s coalition welcomed the plan, some called it dangerous and said that Israel should continue fighting until Hamas is completely vanquished. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he was opposed to any plan that gave the Palestinian Authority a governing role in Gaza. He is also opposed to all mentions of a possible future Palestinian state. Smotrich panned the deal as “trading real achievements on the ground for political illusions and a surrender to a diplomatic bear hug and glittering ceremonies.”
- Both Smotrich and Minister Ben Gvir also criticized Netanyahu for “groveling” to the Qatari prime minister. Significantly, though, neither minister has said they would pull out of the coalition if the deal goes through.
- Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who has announced a return to politics, called the proposal a “difficult, but necessary deal” for Israel.
- The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded to Trump’s proposal by publishing the Shehecheyanu blessing. “Shehecheyanu ve-kiy’manu ve-higi’anu la-z’man ha-zeh,” the forum wrote, citing the traditional blessing recited thanking God for bringing us to this moment.