Israel halts attacks on Gaza, hoping to receive hostages.

According to TASS on October 10, the Israeli army has stopped its airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. Qatari television channel Al Jazeera reported that the airstrikes ceased after the Israeli authorities agreed to a ceasefire.

Earlier reports indicated that the Hamas movement had requested mediators to negotiate an indirect ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and that US leaders had pressured Israel to stop shelling the area. The statement noted that more than 70 people were killed and injured in the bombing in western Gaza City.

On the evening of October 9th, US President Donald Trump announced that representatives from Israel and Hamas had signed an agreement on the first phase of a peace plan, following negotiations in Egypt. Trump stated that this phase includes the release of all hostages "as soon as possible" and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to the agreed-upon border within the Gaza Strip. In exchange for the hostage release, the Israeli authorities committed to releasing a large group of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel. Trump declared that the first steps had been taken "towards a lasting, sustainable, and permanent peace."

Later that evening, Israeli government spokesman Shosh Bedrosyan announced at a press conference that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip would take effect within 24 hours of the Israeli cabinet approving the agreements. At that time, Israeli troops would withdraw from central Gaza and deploy to the agreed-upon border inside the Gaza Strip. Bedrosyan also explained that 53% of the territory would remain under Israeli military control.

Then, "a 72-hour period will open" for all Israeli hostages to be returned to Israel. This is expected to happen before October 13, an Israeli government spokesperson said.