Gazans long for end to war as Rubio says fighting not over

ISRAELI MARKETS SIGNAL HOPE

In Israel, the shekel hit a three-year high against the dollar and the Tel Aviv stock exchange reached record levels, signs of optimism that a deal could end the war.

“It’s the first time in months that I’m actually hopeful. Trump has really instilled a lot of hope into us,” said Tel Aviv resident Gil Shelly.

Netanyahu remains under pressure from hostage families and a war-weary public to end the fighting, while far-right ministers including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened to collapse the coalition if Israel stops its campaign.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said his centrist Yesh Atid party would back the Trump initiative to ensure “we won’t let them torpedo the deal.”

RETURN OF HOSTAGES

Under Trump’s plan, all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, would be released. Israel says 48 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of them alive.

Trump said on Friday he believed Hamas had shown it was “ready for a lasting peace” and called on Israel to halt airstrikes.

Israel launched its military campaign after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 taken hostage.

Israel’s response has killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities, deepening its international isolation.