Israel’s military has said the ceasefire agreement is now in effect in Gaza. This now sets a timeline of 72 hours for Israeli hostages to be freed, according to the agreed proposal. Watch and follow the latest below.
Friday 10 October 2025 10:42, UK
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Not only has the Nobel Peace Prize panel opted against awarding the prize to Donald Trump, their statement announcing the winner also included comments that may be interpreted as a reference to the US president’s administration, which has been widely accused of increasing authoritarianism.
“At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to defend this common ground,” Norwegian Nobel Committee chairman Jorgen Watne Frydnes said.
He added: “We live in a world where democracy is in retreat, where more and more authoritarian regimes are challenging norms and resorting to violence…
“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist. Democracy depends on people who refuse to stay silent, who dare to step forward despite grave risk, and who remind us that freedom must never be taken for granted, but must always be defended with words, with courage and with determination.”
Asked about Trump’s repeated claims that he deserved the prize, Watne Frydnes said the committee received “thousands and thousands of letters every year of people wanting to say what for them leads to peace”.
“This committee sits in a room filled with the portraits of all laureates, and that room is filled with both courage and integrity,” he said.
“So we only base our decision on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel.”
Trump’s administration has been accused of following an authoritarian playbook in the eight months since he returned to the White House, with the dismissal of career civil servants, the persecution of political opponents and attacks on the free press, universities, and civil society organisations.
Lee Morgenbesser, associate professor at Griffith University’s School of Government and International Relations, said the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Trump resembled those of secret police that are “a quintessential feature of authoritarian regimes”.
Israel’s military has announced in a statement coming through just now that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza went into effect at 12pm local time (10am UK time).
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli troops in Gaza have been redeploying to the agreed initial withdrawal line after Israel’s cabinet approved the deal last night.
The ceasefire was supposed to take effect within 24 hours after that approval.
As per the agreement, Hamas has 72 hours to hand over all the remaining hostages, dead or alive, to Israel after the withdrawal has been completed.
This step is currently estimated to be completed on Sunday or Monday and will be followed by Israel releasing 1,950 Palestinian prisoners.
Separately, the Israeli Army Radio has reported just now that 11 Hamas prisoners will be released as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli forces this morning began withdrawing from Gaza City and the Beach refugee camp towards the agreed-upon line, according to the Walla news organisation.
Israel’s Channel 12 also reported that the country’s 7th Brigade withdrew from the Gaza Strip this morning.
It added Israeli forces would be deployed at several checkpoints.
The Israeli army withdrew combat units from the Golani Brigade and other forces from the Gaza Strip.
However, Walla reported that airstrikes were “clearly visible” in several locations on the outskirts of Gaza City this morning, despite the fact the ceasefire is meant to come into effect within 24 hours of its ratification by the Israeli cabinet.
Residents speaking to Reuters wondered whether it is safe now.
“Why does no one come out and tell us whether there is a ceasefire and we can stop being afraid?” Ismail Zayda, in the Sheikh Radwan area in Gaza City, said.
Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, is the winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announces in Oslo just now.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the committee’s chair, lauds her as “a woman who keeps the flame of democracy burning amidst a growing darkness.”
Donald Trump had repeatedly made it clear he thinks he deserves the award, claiming most recently that he ended seven conflicts in as many months this year.
After the announcement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Argentina’s president Javier Milei and Malta’s foreign minister said they would nominate Trump for the award.
Benjamin Netanyahu also reiterated he believed Trump deserved the prize after he nominated him in July, following nominations by several other national leaders this year.
Nominations for this year’s prize already closed on 31 January, however.
Hamas’s exiled Gaza leader, Khalil al Hayya, has issued a statement following the signing of the ceasefire deal.
“We have reached an agreement to end the war against our people,” he said.
“We took on a great responsibility in dealing with the US president’s plan, and we presented a response that would fulfil the interests and rights of our people and save their blood.
“This response included our vision for stopping the war.”
He said Hamas negotiators travelled to Egypt “armed with responsibility and positivity”.
“This enabled us and the resistance to work together to reach an agreement that we can present to our people, our heroes.
“Today we are announcing that we have reached an agreement to end the war and aggression against our people and to implement a permanent ceasefire.
“This will involve the withdrawal of occupation forces, the entry of aid and the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions and the exchange of prisoners.”
Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested he should be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, a belief that has been made stronger following the deal over Gaza.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said yesterday that it had reached a decision about who would be named 2025 peace prize laureate on Monday, several days before the ceasefire was signed as part of the US president’s plan – and most observers have said they suspect he is unlikely to be awarded the prize.
The UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, was asked this morning if she believes he deserves one – but opted to repeatedly sidestep the question.
“I’m strongly supporting the work that President Trump is doing,” the foreign secretary told LBC.
“It’s an independent process. I’m not going to cut across that process.”
She also said there were discussions about the ceasefire coming in within 24 hours of the agreement by the Israeli cabinet and the return of hostages within 72 hours, but that the UK government hoped this would happen sooner.
For more on his chances today, see our 7am post.
European and Arab foreign ministers met in Paris yesterday afternoon to flesh out ideas on Gaza’s post-war transition, according to the Donald Trump plan.
Contributions to security, governance, reconstruction and humanitarian aid were discussed, according to Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister.
Trump’s plan notably calls for an international stabilisation
force, which was also discussed.
Indonesia, Italy and Azerbaijan reportedly expressed interest in joining the force. France offered “to play a role”, while Paris and London started discussions at the UN on a possible mandate.
But Israel as a key player was absent and called the meeting “unnecessary and harmful”.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said this morning that “there’s no plan” to send troops immediately following the ceasefire.
The US made it clear that troops on the ground would be provided by neighbouring states, she added.
Meanwhile, Germany has pledged £25m in aid this morning and said it will host a reconstruction conference for Gaza with Egypt – see our post at 7.40am.
Our political correspondent Amanda Akass has this morning broken down how the UK and former PM Sir Tony Blair may be involved in Gaza’s transition…
Footage from Tel Aviv shows Israelis singing and dancing in the city’s “Hostages Square”.
Families of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been gathering in the square since 7 October 2023, due to its proximity to the IDF headquarters.
These scenes were broadcast live on Sky News moments ago…
Drone shots from above show the scale of the presence there.
Jewish worshippers met at the square during the morning prayer of the religious holiday of Sukkot.
Oxfam GB’s chief executive Dr Halima Begum has been speaking to Sky News presenter Anna Jones.
“I went to bed last night just really nervous, obviously because the Israeli, cabinet was meeting last night,” she said.
“So to wake up this morning to hear the news that the plan has been approved… such a relief.
“Speaking to my colleagues in Gaza and in East Jerusalem, the sense of relief after two years and three days today is just enormous really.
“So we’re really, really grateful. Hopeful. It’s only the beginning, of course, and there is considerable work to do towards getting a sustainable peace to hold.”
Need a ‘surge’ of aid
Asked about the terms of the deal that will see between 400 and 600 aid trucks allowed into Gaza each day, she said: “So before the current escalation of the crisis there used to be more than 500 trucks a day going in.
“So imagine the devastation and destruction as a consequence of the bombardment. So we need unrestricted access to aid – a surge of aid – and for all of that to flood across to Gaza.
“So that is the minimum that is needed in order to start rebuilding Gaza. But of course, there is also an element around dignity to that. Sure, we need more aid trucks, water access, food, medicine, all of that. But a sense of dignity that goes behind what it will take to rebuild homes and communities.
“The UN estimates that 90% of people’s homes have been destroyed. So although people will be going back home, what will they be going back home to? Let’s not forget that there are still bodies under the rubble. And will there be body bags in order to look at ways to provide a funeral for those who are already dead? So much at stake at the moment.”
Watch her remarks in the clip below…
Indonesia has denied visas to Israeli gymnasts for a world championship taking place in the country this month – just as Israel and Hamas agree a ceasefire.
“They are confirmed to not be attending,” the chief of the Indonesian gymnastics federation, Ita Juliati, told reporters.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, cited objections from local Muslim groups.
It has vowed not to establish diplomatic ties with Israel until it recognises a Palestinian state.
What other boycotts are looming?
Israeli athletes and artists may hope an end to the war in Gaza eases the threat of boycotts hanging over them.
The global and European football associations, FIFA and UEFA, have been urged to suspend Israel’s national team from their competitions, including qualifiers for next year’s World Cup.
Both excluded Russia after the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Israel’s kit supplier, Puma, stopped sponsoring the national team last year over pressure from boycott movements.
The European Broadcasting Union will meanwhile hold an extraordinary meeting to vote on whether Israel can participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland threatened to withdraw if Israel participates. Meanwhile, Germany may withdraw if Israel is excluded.
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