Podcast Summary: "BONUS EPISODE: Will the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last?"
Podcast: The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim
Host: Sky News
Air Date: October 10, 2025
Episode Format: In-person discussion with listener Q&A
Guests: None (just Richard and Yalda)
Overview
In this special bonus episode, veteran journalists Yalda Hakim and Richard Engel analyze the newly brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Speaking candidly from the American Colony in Jerusalem, the duo draw on their frontline reporting and conversations with both officials and families affected by the conflict. They explore the details and uncertainties surrounding the deal, the emotional impact on people on both sides, and address pressing listener questions regarding the fragility of peace, the roles of world leaders, and whether this truce can truly hold.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Anatomy of the New Ceasefire Deal
Timestamps: 00:23–04:43
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Both hosts reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of recent days as news of a ceasefire broke:
- Yalda describes celebrations among Israelis and Palestinians as news spread, noting the rarity of simultaneous hope on both sides. (01:31–02:20)
- Richard observes, “Almost never that the Israelis and Palestinians are celebrating the same thing, the end of the conflict… It makes me think, well, so both sides wanted this to stop. So why the hell did they do it sooner?” (02:20)
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Details of the Deal (03:20–04:43):
- Israeli government approved the ceasefire deal in the final hours.
- Israeli military given 24 hours to withdraw from parts of Gaza (not all) to facilitate hostage returns.
- Hamas then has 72 hours to gather and return all hostages—living and deceased.
- Israeli society/families have a 24-hour window to contest the deal in court, but objections are unlikely due to widespread desire for peace.
- Even during final negotiation hours, deadly strikes continued in Gaza (up to 40 killed).
2. The Human Toll: Hostage Stories and Unresolved Trauma
Timestamps: 05:23–07:51
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Richard recounts a harrowing story of a father whose son ("Guy") was killed after being taken hostage at the Nova Music Festival:
- The son called his father as the attack began; details of the desperate attempt to save him evoke profound loss and ongoing grief.
- The father’s need for closure and a proper burial epitomizes the anguish felt by families uncertain about their loved ones’ fate.
- Quote: “It’s celebration that’s more like relief. Yeah, celebration that this trauma is over.” (06:45)
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Practical and Emotional Challenges:
- Hamas claims they don’t know the locations of all the bodies, complicating full closure for families.
- Trump reportedly urged negotiators to at least get living hostages and as many remains as possible, with further efforts ongoing.
- Quote (Yalda): "So it is going to be again, I think, quite a long and painful moment for many of the families that are waiting for the remains of their loved ones." (07:41)
3. Is the Deal Sustainable or Just a Pause?
Timestamps: 08:14–09:59
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Imperfection and Uncertainty:
- The deal is labeled a "ceasefire for now" rather than an actual peace agreement. Many gaps remain, particularly regarding what comes after (phase two).
- Key Consideration: Will negotiations progress from temporary truce to lasting settlement, or will this lull be temporary?
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Quote (Yalda): “Is this deal perfect? No. Are there gaps? Yes. Is it a deal for now? Correct... It’s not a peace deal, this is a sort of ceasefire for now.”
4. Listener Q&A: Politics, Accountability, and Future Risks
Timestamps: 09:33–15:28
A. Trump’s Peace Plan: Risks and Hidden Agendas? (09:33–11:43)
- Hamas is supposed to disarm and leave power, but enforcement is unclear.
- Details on who governs Gaza next are missing; only a vague international force is planned—logistics not yet worked out.
- Growing skepticism about how lasting the deal can be and concerns about possible “excuses” for breaking the ceasefire.
B. Can Trump Hold Israel Accountable? (12:37–13:40)
- Trump put “maximum pressure” on Netanyahu, threatening to withdraw US support if a deal wasn't reached.
- Regional stakeholders (Qatar, Egypt, Turkey) also pressured Hamas.
- Key Point (Richard): “It’s not if, but when this deal is going to break down… there will be breaks.”
C. Nobel Peace Prize for Trump? (13:55–15:28)
- Both hosts agree Trump is angling for a Nobel, referencing his own comparisons to Obama.
- Quote (Yalda): “Obama got it for much less, frankly… And I think at one point, Barack Obama was confused about why he was, why he won it.”
- Arab negotiator allegedly told her: “For the love of God, give the man the prize.” (15:28)
- Richard's take: Awarding the Nobel is symbolic—“Other controversial figures have gone in the past. Why not?”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Richard Engel [02:20]:
“Both sides wanted the killing to stop. Well then, why the hell did they do it sooner?” - Yalda Hakim [06:45]:
“It’s celebration that’s more like relief. Yeah, celebration that this trauma is over.” - Yalda Hakim [07:41]:
“It is going to be again, I think, quite a long and painful moment for many of the families that are waiting for the remains of their loved ones.” - Richard Engel [11:43]:
“It’s not if, but when this deal is going to break down.” - Yalda Hakim [14:11]:
“Obama got it for much less, frankly…there are people who got it who…had launched all sorts of wars.” - Arab Leader via Yalda [15:28]:
“For the love of God, give the man the prize.”
Key Takeaways
- Cautious Hope: While both Israelis and Palestinians are relieved by the ceasefire, uncertainty and trauma still cloud the future.
- Deal Details Remain Vague: Major aspects (disarmament, transition governance in Gaza, international oversight) are unresolved and could derail progress.
- Pressure and Fragility: The agreement is less about trust and more about relentless external and political pressure. Both hosts predict the truce may be fleeting.
- Political Endgames: Questions about credit, legacy (notably Trump’s potential Nobel), and accountability were discussed with wry humor and skepticism.