Trump-Gaza live: Hamas reveals its ceasefire conditions as Trump expresses optimism for ‘peace in Middle East’

Israel prevents new aid flotilla from reaching Gaza and says activists will be deported

Maira Butt8 October 2025 08:19

Qatar demands ‘written international guarantees’ from Israel

Qatar has demanded “strong, written international guarantees” to ensure Israel carries out its obligations under the proposed ceasefire agreement to end Israel’s two-year-long offensive in Gaza.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told Al-Arabiya that Qatar wants to ensure that what is currently being negotiated in Egypt will lead to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, the entry of more aid, and a permanent end to the war.

He said that the parties have agreed on 20 principles but “the devil is in the details, as they say in English”.

Mr Ansari told reporters, “I have no doubt that this round of negotiations is a process in which all parties are strongly committed to reaching a consensus, but there are many details to consider.”

The statement comes ahead of Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani’s visit to Egypt today, where he will join the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 07:40

Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound aid flotilla

(via REUTERS)(via REUTERS)(via REUTERS)

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 07:31

Witkoff and Kushner arrive in Sharm el-Sheikh

Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to participate in the ongoing ceasefire and hostage-deal negotiations.

They will be joined by Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Red Sea resort to negotiate the plan proposed by Mr Trump last week that aims to bring about an end to Israel’s two-year-long war in Gaza.

File: US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (R) and Jared Kushner await the arrival of president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey, on 13 July 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 06:40

PM Ibrahim demands release of Malaysians on Gaza aid flotilla

Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim this morning strongly condemned the Israeli military after it intercepted several boats carrying aid to Gaza, and demanded that Malaysian activists taking part in the flotilla mission be released.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which is attempting to break Israel’s maritime blockade on Gaza, said its vessels were “under attack” by the Israeli military.

“The act of detaining a humanitarian ship carrying aid for the people of Gaza is inhumane and abuses the fundamental principles of human rights and universal human dignity,” Mr Ibrahim said on X.

“I demand that all Malaysian activists and volunteers be released immediately, given appropriate protection, and not mistreated throughout their detention period.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 06:21

Students stage pro-Palestinian rallies

Hundreds of students staged pro-Palestinian protests around the UK on the second anniversary of Hamas’s deadly raids on Israel and days after two people were killed at a synagogue in Manchester.

Demonstrators in London, Sheffield and Edinburgh defied calls to call off their action out of respect for the Jewish community following Thursday’s knife attack.

They rejected the prime minister’s claim that holding demonstrations so soon was “un-British”, instead chanting slogans of solidarity with Palestinians. Sir Keir Starmer had said the timing of the protests showed “little respect for others”.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 06:10

Israel ‘attacks’ new Gaza aid flotilla

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla said this morning that its vessels were under attack by the Israeli military after several of its boats were intercepted by Benjamin Netanyahu’s forces.

The Israeli military was jamming signals with at least two boats being boarded, the flotilla said on Instagram.”The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters. Our flotilla poses no harm,” the flotilla said in a social media post.

“We carry vital aid worth over $110,000 in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies that were destined for Gaza’s starving hospitals.”

The Israeli foreign ministry said the new flotilla that attempted to break the maritime blockade on Gaza has been prevented from realising its goal.

“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” the Israeli foreign ministry said on X.

“The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 05:50

Inside the Hamas-Israel talks on Trump’s peace deal for Gaza

Two years into one of the bloodiest conflicts of our time, negotiators representing Israel and Hamas sat down for a second day of indirect peace talks in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Both sides are scrutinising a 20-point peace plan proposed by US president Donald Trump, as they take part in talks that senior officials briefed on the discussions told The Independent are “the closest we’ve ever been” to the end of the war.

The deal – originally 21 points long – was first presented to leaders from Arab and Muslim-majority countries in New York last month. It was changed at the 11th hour, which initially caused confusion and concern in some quarters that the process might collapse before it had started.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 05:30

Israel ‘cautiously optimistic’, says Netanyahu’s office

Israel is “cautiously optimistic” about the Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire talks, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office told reporters as peace talks resumed in Egypt this week.

Mr Netanyahu has accepted Mr Trump’s plan, which calls for the immediate release of the hostages. The plan also calls for Gaza to be placed under international governance and for Hamas to be disarmed, elements the militants have yet to accept.

Sources at the prime minister’s office told The Jerusalem Post that current discussions are focused on the less contentious issues, where there is broad agreement.

The more complex matters are expected to be addressed next, likely when the US team and the Qatari prime minister join the talks in Egypt on Wednesday.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 05:15

In pics: Demonstrator set fire to a sign depicting Donald Trump with the US and Israeli flags during a march in Colombia

Demonstrator set fire to a sign depicting US President Donald Trump with the US and Israeli flags during a march in Medellin, Colombia (AFP via Getty Images)Demonstrator set fire to a sign depicting US President Donald Trump with the US and Israeli flags during a march in Medellin, Colombia (AFP via Getty Images)Demonstrators show a sign during a march to demand the end to attacks on the Gaza Strip and Palestinian territories in Medellin, Colombia (AFP via Getty Images)

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar8 October 2025 04:57

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