Israeli cabinet voting on landmark Gaza deal

Summary

Global News Podcast – Israeli Cabinet Voting on Landmark Gaza Deal

BBC World Service | Host: Bernard Ecchio | Date: October 9, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode covers the historic ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, potentially ending two years of conflict in Gaza. The Israeli cabinet is set to vote on a US-backed agreement—announced by former President Donald Trump after intense negotiations in Egypt—which includes the release of remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners, a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops, and a significant influx of humanitarian aid. The episode features eyewitness accounts from Gaza, Israeli reactions, detailed analysis of the diplomatic breakthrough, the humanitarian situation in Sudan, the Nobel Prize for Literature announcement, and in-depth commentary from key correspondents and experts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Landmark Gaza Ceasefire Deal

• Cabinet Vote & Deal Details ([01:08], [03:25])

  • Israel's cabinet is convening to ratify a ceasefire agreement signed by Hamas and the Israeli team in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
  • The deal involves a 72-hour mechanism for the exchange of hostages (20 living Israelis, the return of bodies) and release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
  • All five aid entry points to Gaza to be opened, unlocking large-scale humanitarian aid.
  • Partial Israeli pullback: about 47% of Gaza will no longer have Israeli troop presence; over half remains under their control.
  • Rapid diplomatic acceleration following months of stalemate, with major momentum attributed to Trump’s intervention.

• Expert Analysis – Sebastian Ussher ([03:25])

  “What is different about what's happening in this case is there's a bigger umbrella around it and much greater momentum from President Trump… I think the chances of it holding more than the two previous ceasefires that were in place are much stronger than before.”
  — Sebastian Ussher, Middle East Analyst ([05:40])

2. Voices from Gaza & Israel

• Inside Gaza – Civilian Reactions ([01:40], [07:21], [09:15])

  • Gazans express immense relief, celebration in the streets, and cautious optimism about returning home and rebuilding.
  • Ongoing devastation—shortages of food, medicine, clean water—persist despite hopes for change.

  “We have been suffering for the past two years… faced many situations of lack of medicine, lack of food, lack of drinking water. So all of this has vanished, we can say today.”
  — Raghad Salam, Journalist in Gaza ([07:21]) “I feel that Gaza deserves us to stay in it, to rebuild it, and to make it even better than before.”
  — Raghad Salam ([09:38])

• Israeli Reactions ([09:59])

  • Joy and relief among Israelis, especially in hostage families, with hopes for a more peaceful future.

  “I'm happy. I'm very happy. I'm sure all of Israel is very happy today. And let's hope from this day we are going to better days for the next future.”
  — Jerusalem cafe-goer ([10:02])

  • Personal stories of loss, trauma, and resolve to move forward without revenge.

  “…We will miss them forever. But revenge is not the answer. The answer is more life, is more peace between the two peoples. This is the only way to live together in this magnificent piece of land in the Middle East. Let's hope this is the beginning of a new morning today.”
  — Gil Dickman, cousin of hostage Carmel Gatt ([11:23])

3. Diplomatic Dimensions — U.S. and Regional Roles

• Trump’s Diplomatic Victory ([12:51])

  • Trump’s assertive mediation style, applying personal and political pressure on both Israel and Arab states, was pivotal.

  “Donald Trump is on the brink of achieving something remarkable here… we know that Donald Trump styles himself as a dealmaker, a peacemaker. That would all be true if the deal does come to fruition.”
  — Nomia Iqbal, North America Correspondent ([13:10])

  • Biden and Trump administrations compared: Both pro-Israel, but Trump’s tactics described as more forceful and direct.
  • Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt recognized for critical roles, leveraging influence over Hamas and facilitating negotiations.

4. Humanitarian Aid and Challenges

• UN and Aid Agencies’ Response ([22:24], [23:05])

  • 170,000 tons of aid ready; promises of food for Gaza for three months, but security and logistical hurdles remain.

  “It's unequivocally welcome and we should be really clear about that... Exchange of prisoners as well as hostages is long overdue… but it's the beginning.”
  — Martin Griffiths, former UN Emergency Relief Coordinator ([23:05])

  • Crossings must open safely; obstacles include roadblocks, withdrawal of permits, and risk to aid workers.

  “You need people to deliver aid as well as aid itself. I think it's going to be a very tough negotiation, but, you know, it’s great that we're going to have it.”
  — Martin Griffiths ([24:40])

5. Context and Unresolved Questions

• Ceasefire Not a Full Peace ([25:22])

  • Experts highlight this as a critical step—but not a comprehensive peace. Key issues remain unanswered: future of Hamas, Israeli military presence, and long-term governance of Gaza.

  “This is just a start. It is not the end. It is a ceasefire, as significant as that is. And it is not a peace deal. But the most important thing is that it starts well.”
  — Lise Doucet, Chief International Correspondent ([25:44])

  • Risks of reverting to conflict if negotiations stall or spoilers intervene.

• Regional Mediation ([28:54])

  • Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey’s interventions were critical—direct channels to Hamas, pressure on all parties.

  “The deal wouldn’t have happened without their role as well. They are the ones who talk directly to Hamas. They have leverage.”
  — Lise Doucet ([28:54])

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Additional Coverage

Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis in El Fasha

• Continued Violence Amid Siege ([15:36]–[18:30])
  • Artillery strike by RSF kills at least 13 at El Fasha’s main hospital, worsening a dire situation for 260,000 trapped civilians.
  • City surrounded by earthworks blocking aid and escape; those attempting to flee face detention or violence.

Nobel Prize for Literature 2025

• Awarded to Laszlo Krasnaorkay, Hungarian Author ([18:44]–[21:45])
  • Cited for “compelling and visionary oeuvre that in the midst of apocalyptic terror reaffirms the power of art.”
  • Translator George Surtees describes Krasnaorkay’s hallmark style: long, hypnotic sentences—“like a lava flow of black type.”

  “They're human. They're not difficult to read in a sense of language... The storytelling is clear, the dialogue is clear. So it's not the density of prose, it is simply the way of delivering that prose to your eyes.”
  — George Surtees ([21:45])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The war is over. After two years of hunger, destruction and endless loss… You are safe now. I'm happy, but my husband is still broken too because my brother Ahmed isn't here, and so many others… We survived today, but we won't forget."
  — Amal Al Badla, Mother in Gaza ([02:38]–[03:18])

• “It's such good news. It's new air coming into our lungs and it's breathing breaths of hope…”
  — Gil Dickman, Israeli hostage relative ([11:12])

• "It has all come together much more quickly than anyone dared to hope… This is just a start. It is not the end… the most important thing is that it starts well."
  — Lise Doucet, BBC ([25:22])

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Timestamps for Core Segments

• Opening & Main Headlines – [01:08]
• Inside Gaza Reaction – [01:40], [07:21], [09:15]
• Expert Analysis (Sebastian Ussher) – [03:25]
• Israeli Responses (cafe, relatives) – [09:59], [10:55]
• Trump & Diplomacy Discussion – [12:51], [13:05]
• Aid and UN Perspective – [22:24], [23:05]
• Lise Doucet Wrap-Up – [25:22], [26:26], [28:54]
• Sudan Crisis – [15:36]–[18:30]
• Nobel Winner Feature – [18:44]–[21:45]

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Conclusion

This episode captures a historic, emotionally charged moment in the Israel-Gaza conflict, providing analysis of the ceasefire agreement and its fragile promise, perspectives from inside the conflict zone, and reflections from those who have lost and endured. It also examines the crucial roles played by regional players, the logistics and risks of humanitarian relief, and the persistent questions about what comes next for Gaza, Israel, and broader Middle East stability.

The episode’s tone is one of cautious optimism, recognition of immense suffering, and sober acknowledgment of the steep road to lasting peace ahead.

Transcript

[Bernard Ecchio]

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[Narrator/Advertiser]

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[Sebastian Ussher]

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[Raghad Salam]

Stay fully stocked on the products and.

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[Bernard Ecchio]

This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Bernard Etchio and at 1700 GMT on Thursday the 9th of October, these are our main stories. Israel's cabinet is meeting to approve a Gaza deal which would see the release of the hostages and and the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops. The agreement with Hamas was announced by Donald Trump after intense negotiations in Egypt. We'll hear from inside Gaza where the developments have been met with joyous scenes.

[Raghad Salam]

We have witnessed a kind of relative calm since the early morning hours. Things feel different now.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Also in this podcast. In other news, eyewitnesses in the Basin besieged Sudanese city of Al Fasha report that a strike on a hospital blamed on the paramilitary RSF has killed at least 13 people. Israel's cabinet is meeting to ratify the first phase of a landmark agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza. The U S backed deal signed earlier in Egypt will see all remaining hostages and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners freedom. The BBC has followed the story of Amal Al Badla, a mother in Gaza whose youngest son was born on October 7, 2023. When Hamas launched its attacks on Israel, she sent us her reaction from a camp in southern Gaza.

[Raghad Salam]

I can't believe I'm finally saying this.

[Bernard Ecchio]

The war is over.

[Raghad Salam]

After two years of hunger destroyed distraction and endless loss.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

I've been dreaming of this moment to.

[Raghad Salam]

Tell my boys.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

You are safe now. I'm happy, but my husband is still.

[Richard Kagoi]

Broken too because my brother Ahmed isn't.

[Raghad Salam]

Here and so many others isn't here.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

With us to celebrate the ceasefire today.

[Raghad Salam]

We survived today, but we won't forget.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Our Middle east analyst is Sebastian Ussher. He started by telling us the details of the first phase.

[Sebastian Ussher]

This is essentially not that different from the ceasefire deal that has been talked about for months up until now. What is different about what's happening in this case is there's a bigger umbrella around it and much greater momentum from President Trump. So what we're going to see is once the Israeli cabinet, which looks like it's a done deal, ratifies the agreement that we believe has been signed by Hamas and by the Israeli team in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. But that happened a little earlier today. Once the Israeli Cabinet ratifies this, and despite the fact that two of the far right ministers in the cabinet have said that they won't sign up to it, it's still likely to go through. Then the mechanism, this 72 hours, that's part of the 20 point US plan, will come into effect. That's the time frame within which the living Israeli hostages, 20 of them, and the bodies of those who died either before or in captivity, will be returned to Israel. And around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are due to be released. Aid in far greater number than we've seen for a long time, is also due to start going in all the aid points, all the entrance points into Gaza, all five of them are due to be opened up. So a huge influx of aid will be allowed and which of course is needed desperately there. And President Trump is likely to arrive in Israel or potentially Egypt if there's a signing there over the weekend, maybe on Sunday. So everything is due to happen fast now, just as the movement towards this agreement, after all these months of stalemate moments when it looked like something was going to happen, then it didn't. It's also also moved very fast in the past less than two weeks since the 20 point plan was put forward by the Americans and Hamas and Israel signed up at least a part of it. The other element that's due to happen over the next few days is an Israeli pullback from its positions in Gaza. Now, that's not a full pullout by any means. I think it's around 47% of the territory they will be no longer in. That leaves more than a half where Israeli troops will still have control. So, I mean, as we were hearing there from a Palestinian mother, there's been huge relief, huge joy in both Gaza and in Israel amongst the hostage families over this and grasping it as being an end to the war. It isn't, as I'm sure, many people have heard an end. Right now it is a ceasefire which could hold. I think the chances of it holding more than the two previous ceasefires that were in place are much stronger than before. I think things have changed enough in Israel. In Gaza, the Israeli government, Hamas, the leadership in the us, the way that Israel's closest Western allies have increasingly shown their displeasure, their anger at the continuation of the war in Gaza, all of these things have really built up to this point and I think it would be difficult for an all out war to be returned to. But people are still going to have to just cross their fingers and hope that it all works out.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Let's hear another voice from inside the Gaza Strip now. Raghad Salam is a 38 year old journalist in Gaza City and a mother of two children. She's remained there for most of the conflict, moving from place to place to avoid military activity. Because of poor communication links, we weren't able to do a full interview. However, she sent us these voice recordings. She first gave us her reaction to the ceasefire announcement.

[Raghad Salam]

My reaction is not very different from all Gazans here in the city. They are very relieved, they are cheerful, they are celebrating, they are distributing some sweets, shooting some fires, celebrating the ceasefire announcements. So we are very relieved because, you know, we have been suffering for the past two years. We have been struggling, we have been moving from one place to the other. We have faced many situations of lack of medicine, lack of food, lack of drinking water. So all of this has vanished. We can say today, especially as people will begin returning to their homes in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian situation here, in fact, it's very devastating. It's very difficult. Access to basic needs like medicine, food and clean water are proper. Housing is extremely limited. Many people rely on humanitarian aid which doesn't reach everyone. Pharmacies are almost empty and hospitals lack for the essential supplies and equipment. Food prices have rocketed and clean drinking water is very rare. Thousands of families are living in temporary shelters and often without electricity or proper sanitation. People are living on the minimum, but we are trying to survive. Me, myself and my family, we have been moving from one place to the other as the Israeli bombardment. We haven't stopped for about two weeks now. So we are trying to keep it to the minimum, as I said. So finally we are relieved by the announcement of the ceasefire.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Ragad went on to say she felt hopeful about the future and for the first time in ages had a real desire to stay in Gaza.

[Raghad Salam]

We have witnessed a kind of relative calm since the early morning hours. Although the forces haven't yet withdrawn from the areas that they have proceeded to, the situation looks promising so far. I have always been waiting for the border crossing to open so I could escape with my children from the bombing and the death. I used too long for that moment. But things feel different now. I feel that Gaza deserves us to stay in it, to rebuild it, and to make it even better than before. So I think, yes, I have changed.

[Bernard Ecchio]

My mind from Gaza to Israel now. This was the reaction of cafe goers in Jerusalem to news of the ceasefire agreement.

[Richard Kagoi]

I'm happy. I'm very happy. I'm sure all of Israel is very happy today. And let's hope from this day we are going to better days for the next future.

[Raghad Salam]

I heard last night that Trump Bar.

[George Surtees]

Basically announced that looks like a deal.

[Raghad Salam]

Was signed between Hamas and Israel. And I couldn't go back to sleep. It was very exciting, very exciting to.

[Richard Kagoi]

See the families of the hostages celebrating and drinking l' Chaim and celebrating in the hostage square. The minute this came out, I can't even imagine the way they feel. I know I feel elated. They must just feel the burden of the world off of their shoulders.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Gil Dickman is the cousin of Carmel Gatt, who was taken hostage in the hamas attacks on October 7. She survived 11 months in captivity, but was killed. Her body was recovered by Israeli troops last year. Gil Dickman told us he had been up all night.

[Gil Dickman]

I'm just coming back from the hostages square here in Tel Aviv. We were celebrating. We had hostages who came back from captivity, celebrating their own freedom and the freedom of the hostages, their friends that are finally coming home. And, you know, you just told the story of my cousin who was murdered in captivity after she was murdered at the beginning of September 2024. We promise that we will never let even one more hostage die or be murdered in captivity. And it looks like we made it. And 20 hostages who are considered to be alive then are coming back alive in just a matter of a few days. And this is so. I'm so joyful just thinking about this and about the fact that innocent people on the other side of the border will have to suffer no more because of the horrible decisions of leaders on both sides of the border. It's such good news. It's new air coming into our lungs and it's breathing breaths of hope. And Israelis on our side wanted to try and do as much damage as possible on the other side, and Palestinians wanted to do damage on our side. But now, when the war is finally over, we can start rebuilding the maybe the world is peace. It's going to take time, I'm sure, because many people still believe in revenge, but I think most of us don't. I don't believe in revenge. Even though my cousin Carmel was murdered, her mother Kynaret was murdered on October 7. Both of them will no longer come back to us and we will miss them forever. But revenge is not the answer. The answer is more life is more peace between the two peoples. This is the only way to live together in this magnificent piece of land in the Middle East. Let's hope this is the beginning of a new morning today.

[Bernard Ecchio]

And what about President Trump? He's often hinted that he wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize. If the deal holds, how much of a diplomatic victory will it be for him personally? Nomia Iqbal is our North America correspondent.

[Nomia Iqbal]

Donald Trump, we know, has long wanted some sort of deal. It appeared to be elusive at one point. There was always other issues. But I think that it's fair to say that Donald Trump is on the brink of achieving something remarkable here. That is, if indeed all the conditions are met for this first phase where all the hostages are released, Israel pulls back its troops, the killing of Palestinians stops. This is all done on a permanent basis. And if that happens, I think it will be a stunning victory for him. We know that Donald Trump styles himself as a dealmaker, a peacemaker. That would all be true if the deal does come to fruition. The thing I really want to point out is that I've been covering this conflict under the Biden administration and under the Trump administration. And there's no doubt the similarity between the two men is that they are staunchly pro Israel. US Presidents often are, and there were attempts by the Biden administration to try and put an end to the war. But what we have seen in Donald Trump is this real use of his personality where he's put pressure on pretty much everybody here. I mean, just last week, Benjamin Netanyahu's at the White House and he made him apologize to the leaders of Qatar for that Israeli strike on Qatar. They said that they were targeting Hamas back in September. Reportedly, Mr. Trump has also accused Mr. Netanyahu of being too negative and not taking the deal. And I think with all those power moves, as well as getting Qatar involved and Turkey involved, has allowed Donald Trump to get to this point.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Nomia Iqbal, more reaction on the Gaza agreement to end the war.

[Martin Griffiths]

It's unequivocally welcome, and we should be really clear about that. I think everybody has spoken out, including the people of Gaza.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Bernard Ecchio]

We're leaving events in the Middle east for a few moments now to take a look at some other stories. The Sudanese city of El Fha in North Darfur has been under siege for around 18 months. An estimated 260,000 civilians remain trapped inside, and tens of thousands of people have been killed in the fighting. Al Fasha is the last major foothold in Darfur for Sudan's army, which has been battling the paramilitary Rapid support force since April 2023. In the latest attack, at least 13 people were killed in an artillery attack reportedly carried out by the rsf. The shelling hit the main hospital in the city. Our global affairs reporter, Richard Kagoi joined us from Nairobi.

[Richard Kagoi]

This attack was quite devastating. In fact, the Sudanese doctors network says that it has really made a bad situation worse because the hospital has been operating literally on just about like, 10% in terms of capacity because they are unable to access supplies and even get more medical teams to come and, you know, support them. Now, this hospital has just been used specifically to cater for women and for maternity services and even for children as well. So the fact that medical staff there, they're really quite exhausted. And so really, this is quite a huge setback. Humanitarian efforts are within El Fascia.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Now, Richard, the UN has described El Fascia as an epicenter of suffering indeed.

[Richard Kagoi]

Because you have, as you mentioned, about a quarter of a million people who are trapped inside Al Fasha. So they're unable actually to get outside because according to research by Yale, the RSF has built an earth bomb around the city, stealth, stretching for kilometers, so aid can get into Al Fasha and people can get out of Al Fasha. In fact, those who do attempt to do that are either detained, are conscripted fully into the battlefronts and subjected to sexual violence. So it's quite a very desperate situation because this was at the hub of humanitarian efforts, and the RSF have built this blockade for the last nearly 18 months, and it's been difficult to really access and to reach the most vulnerable population. So a very desperate situation there.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Now, just briefly if you can, please. Could you give us a quick background to the conflict?

[Richard Kagoi]

This started off in April 2023. This was a struggle between the leaders of the two forces, the Rapid support forces and the Sudanese arm, both because they were embroiled in a power struggle, they fell out. And since then they have been battling, you know, across the country. The country is almost fragmented into two, with the army controlling nearly half of the country towards the east and to the north, and the RSF are controlling most of the western and the southern bits of the country.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Richard Kirgoi. This year's Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded. The winner, who will receive $1.2 million, was announced by the Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, Mats Mahm.

[Richard Kagoi]

The Nobel Prize in literature for 2025 is awarded to the Hungarian author Laszlo Krasnaorkay for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that in the midst of apocalyptic terror reaffirms the power of art.

[Bernard Ecchio]

George Surtees is a Hungarian born British poet and translator. He knows Laszlo Krosna Hawkay and has translated three of his novels into English. He's been speaking to James Menendez about whether he knew he was a serious contender to win the award.

[George Surtees]

People in Hungary have talked about the possibility that he might be because his international reputation has grown so much. But to actually do it is just superb. Yep. Delighted.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Do you think he'll be pleased?

[George Surtees]

Of course, who would not be? He's a bit. He's a little bit retiring, but I'm sure this will delight him.

[Martin Griffiths]

Tell us a bit about his work. I mean, from what I've been reading, it sounds all rather forbidding.

[George Surtees]

Is looks forbidding, but it isn't once you're in it. I suppose the most notable thing about them is that they use very few sentences. So the sentences are very, very long and there are no paragraphs. So when you look at the page, it looks like a lava flow of black type.

[Martin Griffiths]

That sounds very forbidding to me.

[George Surtees]

It does, but it's funny and it's apocalyptic and it's kind of hypnotic. His first book, his first great success, which I translated, was made into a seven quarter hour film in black and white. Right.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Gosh.

[George Surtees]

Which I've seen twice.

[Martin Griffiths]

And how was it?

[George Surtees]

It's spellbinding. Granted, it helps if you're the sort of person who can sit down to a long film where things happen very slowly, but slowness is a part of it. It's a part of the experience. It's like, I think people talk about slow radio, but I think once people are in it, once they get beyond the first page, they do hold the attention remarkably well.

[Martin Griffiths]

And it's the one that you're talking about is that. And forgive me if I'm pronouncing this wrong. Is that Satantango or Satan tango?

[George Surtees]

Well, it's Satan tango. Satan tango in English. Yeah, it's the same word in Hungarian, but pronounced differently.

[Martin Griffiths]

Yeah. I mean. And was it difficult to translate?

[George Surtees]

Oh, yes, it was exhausting. I could do about an hour at a time, then I'd retire with a headache.

[Martin Griffiths]

But what was it? Because of the sort of density of the text or just trying to con. I mean, as always with translations, trying to convey some of the style in a completely different language.

[George Surtees]

Well, the style kind of declares itself because of those very long sentences. I mean, there are authors who use long sentences in the past, but not like this. I mean, these are absolute monsters, really. But they're human. They're not difficult to read in a sense of language. They're not difficult to tell from the point of view of storytelling. The storytelling is clear, the dialogue is clear. So it's not the density of prose, it is simply the way of delivering that prose to your eyes.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Back now to our main story, the dramatic developments towards peace in Gaza. The United nations emergency aid chief, Tom Fletcher says there are 170,000 tons of food, medicine, shelter and other supplies that are ready to be delivered and has called for immediate access. The UN Agency for Palestinian refugees says it has food for the whole of Gaza for three months. But with so little security in Gaza, how do you get it to the people who need it? Martin Griffiths has over 50 years of experience in aid and conflict mediation. He was the UN's emerging Emergency Relief Coordinator from 2021 to 2024.

[Martin Griffiths]

It's unequivocally welcome and we should be really clear about that. And I think everybody has spoken out, including the people of Gaza. It's most welcome. The exchange of prisoners as well as hostages is long overdue. It's a humane, a human thing. So it's great, but it's the beginning.

[Nomia Iqbal]

And one of the elements of this, what we're hoping for in the next few days is that the crossings will.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Open and that aid will go in.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

It's an immense chall because although there's.

[Nomia Iqbal]

The aid there, there is little security in Gaza.

[Martin Griffiths]

Little security, and I agree with you completely. Little security, but also a history of impediments. So, you know, roads are blocked, permission is withdrawn during convoys by the Israeli Defense Forces. Roads are chosen but are unsafe and Then there's of course the Gaza Humanitarian foundation factor. But the fact, as Tom Fletcher said, and you quoted him at the top here, that there's 170,000 tons of aid is a phenomenal amount. So it's supposed to flood the strip. I think there's going to be a very tortuous negotiation to make that happen.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Because what you think there will be a dragging of feet, are you suggesting?

[Martin Griffiths]

I think there's going to be a dragging of feet. There's going to be a continuing emphasis on the primary role of the Gaza Humanitarian foundation, although the 20 point plan does provide for full involvement of United nations and other agencies. I think there's going to be a question of where the IDF withdraw and whether the ceasefire is held enough to make sure this happens safely. And I think it's going to be a question of safety of delivery. It's also essential to have visas for a lot of aid staff which have been withdrawn or they have to re register all these aspects of the recent blockade. You need people who to deliver aid as well as aid itself. I think it's going to be a very tough negotiation, but, you know, it's great that we're going to have it.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Sarah Montagu, speaking to Martin Griffiths. We're ending this podcast with our chief international correspondent, Lise Doucet. She gave us her assessment of what's been agreed.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

It has all come together much more quickly than anyone dared to hope. But we have seen time and again, down through the decades, how the last details, the last difficult political compromises can sometimes take much more time than expected. But then, yet there it was. Just after midnight, the news came through that a deal had been done. This is a moment most of all of unbridled joy for the Palestinians in Gaza who took to the streets of Gaza in the dead of night. Also here in Tel Aviv, Israelis who took to hostages Square, which has been their gathering point for many months, dancing in the square. Such a human moment. But this is just a start. It is not the end. It is a ceasefire, as significant as that is. And it is not a peace deal. But the most important thing is that it starts well.

[Bernard Ecchio]

We saw President Trump with Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington last week. How much pressure do you think he put the Israeli prime minister under?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Huge. There are those who have worked in the State Department for a very long time, who have worked with both Republican and Democratic administrations, presidents, and say they have never seen a US President using the pressure that they can wield personally, politically on their most important strategic ally, Israel. There was the moment, and I think the turning point was Prime Minister Netanyahu's error in President Trump's eyes in going too far in trying to assassinate Hamas leaders in the Gulf state of Qatar in this capital city of an ally that President Trump values highly. The Qataris were furious. President Trump was furious. That led to a face to face meeting in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General assembly where President Trump met with Arab and Islamic leaders. They too pressed home the message, it is time to end the war. Military options have been exhausted. Now is the time to move towards a resolution of this conflict. And two, what was really important, and I heard it from some of the families of the hostages this week in Tel Aviv in Hostages Square, they had been trying so hard to get President Trump's attention. This is sadly a comment on the world in which we live now. Getting President Trump's ear is what matters. And finally they did get his attention. So much so that he started posting photographs of Hostages Square, brimming with people and anger and grief and agony, calling on him, him for his help. And at last he did help, leaning in a way he had never done before on Prime Minister Netanyahu. It's stunning to remember that just weeks ago there was the military operation was unleashed in Gaza City that even Steve Witkoff, President Trump's envoy, was saying, well, the military operation could go to the end of the year, maybe into 2,026, and Israelis and Palestinians were looking at months more of war. And then suddenly it's all wrapped up within days.

[Bernard Ecchio]

Now, of course, it's not just President Trump. The Qataris, the Turks and the Egyptians have been involved in getting the two sides to this point. What role have they played?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

The deal wouldn't have happened without their role as well. They are the ones who talk directly to Hamas. They have leverage over Hamas. Hamas, which it has to be underlined, mind, has been significantly weakened by the two years of devastating war. They are no longer a significant fighting force. We have seen they still have the ability to fire an occasional rocket into Israel to carry out attacks on Israeli forces. They still have a political presence, but they are not the Hamas that carried out the October 7 attacks. And pressure was put on them them to persuade them that the hostages were no longer leverage. That in the sense of being kept the best leverage with the hostages was to move now. Now is the moment to use a terrible expression to cash in, to try to use this to get a better deal. Because holding onto the hostages was just prolonging the war. And that was a huge shift of perspective for Hamas. Again, we have to underline that there are so many issues that still haven't been resolved. Will Hamas give up its guns? What will be its role in the future? Gaza? Where will Israel's military presence be at the end when the deal moves into its second phase? And there are the word I got from a mediator who's been involved in the Sharm el Sheikh talks is that there's still going to be trouble head. And the big question, of course, will be will President Trump continue to focus on this deal in the way he has, or will he be sidelined by other issues on his agenda in the United States or indeed on other front lines in the world?

[Bernard Ecchio]

Lise Doucet and that's all from us for now. But there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk. you can also find us on XBCWorldService. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. This edition was mixed by Russell Newlove and the producer was Ed Horton. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Bernard Ecchio. Until next time. Goodbye.