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Connect the World
Israel: Deal to Take Effect only after Receiving Israeli Government Approval; Family Awaits Return of Amiram Cooper's Body; Trump Announces Agreement on First Phase of Gaza Ceasefire; Israel and Hamas Agree to First Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Plan; U.S. Senator Reacts to Gaza Deal as Government Remains Shut; Hostages' Families Welcome Gaza Deal with Excitement. Aired 9-10a ET
Aired October 09, 2025 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire plan and the could the Israeli hostages be back home
in a matter of days? That is the question we are getting response around the world to this. Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, is in Mumbai
today on a trade mission. There he is speaking about this. Let's listen in.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Catherine Foster, GB news, thank you. Prime Minister, we've all seen thousands of pictures of you, very large round this city,
and people clearly delighted to see you. How does that feel?
And also, though you're very popular here. You really very unpopular at the moment, at home. And, you know, Digital ID had public support. You
announced it. Lots of people now seem to have changed their minds on that. Do you have the reverse Midas touch at home? Pardon me.
KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Well, look, firstly, just in relation to the situation here in India. It is really good that the UK is as
welcomed as it has been these last two days in India. That is good for the United Kingdom.
And so, I am pleased that the welcome here has been warm. It's been warm for a reason, and I think that's because people recognize that under this
government, we have strengthened the relationship. We have pulled off the FTA, which other governments have tried and failed to do, and we have done
it successfully.
And now both Indian businesses and UK businesses want to build on that, and there is really enthusiasm for the relationship. That is a good thing for
our country, so I'm really, really pleased about that and that we can take that forward. So that is a good thing. The second bit of your question, I'm
sorry I forgot on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible).
STARMER: -- on Digital ID. Let me be really clear about it. Firstly, we have made a commitment to do whatever we can to stop people arriving
illegally in the United Kingdom. One of the issues is the ability people have to work illegally in our economy. We have to do something about that.
We can't shirk that or duck that, and we had a strong manifesto commitment to deal with it. I think the vast majority, if not everyone, in the UK,
wants it gripped. And we need to, therefore take measures necessary to grip it.
One of the things on Digital ID that I do think we need to emphasize and make the case for, frankly, is the great benefits of Digital ID. You can
see from Estonia the speed with which people access services that are available to them, which been transformational, and there's great
enthusiasm in Estonia.
One of the things on Digital ID that I do think we need to emphasize and make the case for, frankly, is the great benefits of digital ID. You can
see from Estonia the speed with which people access services that are available to them, which been transformational, and there's great
enthusiasm in Estonia for it.
Here in India, the I think it's a billion people have Digital ID. It's been taken up on a voluntary basis in huge numbers, not least because it means
that you can access your own money, make payments so much more easily than is available with others. So, I think now we need to go out and make that
case of the huge benefits that this will bring. There needs to be a national debate about it, and I think that the more people see the benefit.
ANDERSON: Well, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire plan. Could the Israeli hostages be home in a matter of days? It is 04:00 p.m. in Tel Aviv,
it is 05:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson, you're watching "Connect the World".
Also coming up tears and celebrations in Gaza as Palestinians see hope for the first time in many, many months. Plus, troops versus lawyers, National
Guard units report for duty in Chicago, just hours ahead of two court hearings on whether they can be legally there.
Well after unrelenting war, tens of thousands of deaths and dozens of hostages still held captive. There is hope today that two years of agony is
about to end. Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire hostage release deal for Gaza, both sides accepting the first phase of the U.S. President
Donald Trump's 20-point plan. The president announcing the agreement on Wednesday night in the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I think you're going to see people getting along, and you'll see Gaza being rebuilt. We're
forming a council that the Council of Peace. We think it's going to be called, and it's going to be very powerful.
And it's going to really, I think to a large extent, it's going to have a lot to do with the whole Gaza situation. People are going to be taken care
of. It's going to be a different world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that sparked joyous celebrations in Gaza, where Palestinians have endured seemingly endless bouts of suffering and death.
And in Israel, where the excruciating waits for hostages to be released appears nearing an end. This initial phase of the deal calls for an
immediate succession of hostilities, with Israeli forces withdrawing to an agreed upon line, all remaining hostages, dead or alive, will be released
by Hamas within 72 hours.
Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisons along with 1700 people from Gaza detained after the October 7th attacks. And aid deliveries into
Gaza will resume at a level consistent with the previous ceasefire, we are told. But the 20-point plan does leave a host of critical issues to be
resolved, including the demand for Hamas to lay down its arms, the timeline and conditions for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and the
future governance of the enclave.
Well, the Israeli Prime Minister's office says the agreement will take effect after the government approves it, that vote due to happen after the
Israeli Security Cabinet meets with hardliners remaining opposed to anything short of the complete destruction of Hamas.
Jeremy Diamond is in Jerusalem. This is an important day, an historic day. It needs to be gotten over the line of course. What do we know about the
details of what happens next and when we might see these hostages released in the first instance?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, today is obviously a critical day for actually turning this agreement that has been, you know,
vocally agreed to by the parties into reality, and that's because over the course of the next few hours, we're going to see some very important
events.
The Israeli cabinet set to convene, initially, the political and security cabinet, followed by the full government cabinet, which will then sign off
on this agreement that will see the release of all of the Israeli hostages, as well as in exchange for that, the release of Palestinian prisoners being
held in Israeli jails.
That is why that cabinet vote is required, because of the release of those Palestinian prisoners. Now, following that, what we will see is a ceasefire
going into effect. We just heard from an Israeli government spokesperson who said that Israeli troops will begin to withdraw over the course of the
next 24 hours, once that withdrawal is complete, they said that ceasefire will go into effect.
I should note, though, that that is contradictory from what the actual framework that President Trump released last week said, and from what my
sources have been telling you, which was that a ceasefire will go into immediate effect once the cabinet approves this and the deal is actually
formally signed in Egypt.
[09:05:00]
So, we are seeking some clarification over that specific point. But what is clear is that once that withdrawal of Israeli troops is completed, again a
partial withdrawal to lines of control within the Gaza Strip, that will then begin that 72-hour countdown until the Israeli hostages are released.
We expect that, that release could happen as soon as this weekend. Sources have been talking about Sunday as a possibility, but it could also slide
into Monday as well. But we do expect that at least the living hostages, an estimated 20 individuals, will be released on that day.
Still some uncertainty around the bodies of the 28 other hostages, whether they will all be released on that release date, Sunday or Monday, or
whether that could slide -- we do know -- knowledge of the whereabouts of all of the bodies of those hostages --
ANDERSON: Jeremy, I'm going to stop you there, because the sound is really around you means it's not impossible to hear you, but we've heard most of
what you've said, which is important and insightful stuff. I know you're at Hostages Square, understandably, there is a big atmosphere there, and we'll
get back to you.
And I want you just to, sort of, you know, open up the lens, as it were, and give us a sense of what is going on there. I want to get your
microphone fixed in the meantime, and give you a chance to do that. I want to bring in Rotem Cooper now. His father Amiram Cooper, was killed while in
captivity.
His body has not been returned. And Rotem, let's just start with how you're feeling today after so many months of uncertainty. Just describe how you
feel.
ROTEM COOPER, SON OF DECEASED HOSTAGE AMIRAM COOPER: So, first of all, of course, a big sense of accomplishment for the families, you know, for the
hostage families we were fighting for this day, we were raging a campaign, trying to persuade and change public opinion, public perception going
around the world, spending many hours in the street protesting.
All to bring about this day, and almost feels unreal that we actually hear it came very abruptly. We all, some of us last night, but for me this
morning, when I woke up and I read my first WhatsApp message and immediately went and checked the headlines and the news, and then woke up
my wife, and we're still processing that.
So, we have -- I would say, a sense of you know that in this long war, so to speak, the war of getting our loved one back, we have a major victory in
one of the battles, but we're not there, right? We have not seen our loved one yet coming, and we've been in so many disappointments.
We are before where we thought we are going to have loved one release, and it didn't happen. It is different this time, but we want to see that
happening. So, you see kind of careful celebrations on a very -- especially from the families. And of course, for people like me, we have a much more
mixed feelings, because my father is not going to come back alive.
And he was kidnapped alive, and he was alive for at least four months, and could have -- should have been returned. And whenever you know, the wound
is not going to heal for us ever. And every time you, there is a public interest in it, and a lot of conversation, all of the deeper feelings, the
anger, the you know, the sense that I failed, that the Israeli government failed to bring about his release when it was still relevant for him.
That's also surfacing up, and that's part of it, but we try to put that aside today, because we really it was even hard to imagine this day just a
week or two ago, it was so depressing, so little hope that we ever going to get to this day, and all of the sudden it's here upon us.
And we still kind of rubbing our eyes and disbelief it's really happening, and it's thinking slowly that, yes, it might be happening, but as I said,
we want to see our loved one coming back, and until then, it's going to be, you know, still somewhat subdued here, at least for us, the families.
[09:10:00]
ANDERSON: And I know that. You know we will all share your loss and the hope that your father's body is returned. Your mom, of course, was taken
captive as well. She was released back in October 2023 and you will feel the pain of so many families of hostages and the losses that they have
endured, as you say, there does, you know, seem to be a lot of hope today as well.
So that's a good thing. This is your opportunity to send a message to two people, I guess, one to the U.S. President Donald Trump, and then, if you
would just your thoughts on a message to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
COOPER: You know, I'll say it in a little bit different word. I think that for me, for most of the families we have, you know, we have no doubt about
it, right? This, where we are today, is really not because of the Israeli government. It's not because of the Israeli Prime Minister.
Unfortunately, despite of the Israeli Prime Minister, we have seen, as opposed to all the type of traction we did not get with the Israeli
lawmakers and above all, the prime minister. I'm from Kibbutz Nir Oz. It took the prime minister more than a year and a half to even come for the
first time to the Nir Oz Community.
The symbol of the atrocities and the lack of IDF protection on that horrific day, as opposed to that all along from the Biden Administration
and from Trump, we've seen a very different approach, real concern about the hostages, about the life of the hostages. It's not enough to bring back
the hostages.
You need to bring them alive. That's the whole point. And 42 of them, including my father, that were alive, they were taken alive, are no longer
with us. You don't get points for that. But Trump, you know, I think that the families are extremely grateful for him. They went as far as writing a
letter in support of his nomination for the Nobel Prize.
And frankly, it looks like it's all about to happen if and he was able to pull such a deal. We had a lot of partial deals, but if he's able to pull a
deal now we get all of the hostages back, ending the war, he should definitely be up there for the Nobel Prize. You know, we know that in the
middle, it doesn't look like Hamas or the Israeli government prime minister were very interested in that, and somehow, he was still able to bring it
about.
That's definitely an achievement, and we are very grateful for him and we there is no confusion about who we owe our gratitude to.
ANDERSON: Well, it's good to have you. Thank you very much Rotem for joining us. We wish you and your family the best from Hostage Square today
well.
COOPER: -- Thank you for the public -- Can I still say something?
ANDERSON: You can.
COOPER: So, I would like also to say thank you for the public in Israel and abroad that really stood with us throughout this struggle, throughout these
two years and two days, you see the number of days here, 734. There were a lot of dark days. And we are, you know, this is very different today.
And again, thank for those that supported the families in their struggle to bring about the release of their loved ones and ending the war.
ANDERSON: Rotem Cooper, you're in Tel Aviv in Israel today. Thank you very much indeed for joining us. Let me bring in two other good friends of this
show and guests who provide excellent insight and analysis for us, not just on this issue, but on issues around this region of the Middle East and how
it all fits into sort of the wider global picture.
Trita Parsi is the Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the Author of "Losing an Enemy". And Firas
Maksad is the Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Eurasia Group. And Firas, let's start with you. What do you make of this
agreement?
FIRAS MAKSAD, MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA AT THE EURASIA GROUP: Becky, it's good to be with you.
[09:15:00]
It's a very, very difficult to understate what a great breakthrough. This is not only for the region, the people of Israel, certainly the
Palestinians that have been suffering for the past two years in Gaza, but also for President Trump. This is a momentous foreign policy achievement
for his.
A big question, obviously, is going to be whether we are going to move and progress to phase two of this ceasefire, to see through phase one, as
difficult as it is, is much easier than phase two, which includes a permanent end to this war, much more significant Israeli withdrawal from
the Gaza Strip, but for a small buffer zone.
And then, more importantly, the disbandment and disarmament of Hamas, which I have doubts about. It will very much depend on President Trump's
willingness to bring that leverage, whatever President Trump lacks in a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of the region.
He clearly makes up for with that leverage that he has, not only just over Bibi Netanyahu, which he certainly does, and Hamas, but also the regional
powers that have influence and say over these dynamics. We saw him, you know, give Qatar a historic security guarantee.
We saw also that in terms of annexation, he drew a red line, which is much appreciated and much assurance to the Jordanians, but also the Emiratis. He
gave the Egyptians that there will be no mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza into Sinai. So, President Trump has tremendous leverage over
these countries and can see this through.
But there is also a scenario out there where the president pockets that significant win of achieving the release of the hostages, his attention
turns elsewhere, domestic U.S., politics, other foreign policy issues, and phase two of this ceasefire fall apart.
ANDERSON: Thank you. Trita, let me bring you on off the back of Firas there. Your perspective on the agreement and whether you see this as the
beginning of the end to this specific conflict, which, of course, is the through line to a sort of wider Middle East peace at this point and how you
see this playing out?
TRITA PARSI, EXECUTIVE VP OF THE QUINCY INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE STATECRAFT: Thank you for having me Becky and good to be with you and with
Firas. I would agree with Firas on this very strong endorsement and calling this a major breakthrough, if it gets to phase two, if it doesn't, it ends
up being exactly --
ANDERSON: OK Trita, I know you will forgive me. I'm going to stop you for one moment. The U.N. Chief is just speaking about this agreement. Let's
just listen in, and I'll get back to you.
ANTONIO GUTERRES, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: -- food, water, medical and shelter assistance at once. But to turn this ceasefire into real progress,
we need more than the silencing of the guns. We need full, safe and sustained access for humanitarian workers, the removal of red tape and
impediments and the rebuilding of shattered infrastructure.
And we need member states to ensure that humanitarian operations are properly funded to meet the immense needs. We must never forget the
unbearable human costs of this conflict. I mourn all of the lives lost, including United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers.
And pay tribute to our colleagues who continue to serve with courage and compassion in conditions of extreme risk. For Israelis and Palestinians
alike, this deal offers a glimmer of relief. And that glimmer must become the dawn of peace, the beginning of the end of this devastating war.
I urge all to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward. A path towards ending the occupation, recognizing
the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and achieving a two-state solution, a path to a just and lasting peace between Israelis and
Palestinians, and to wider peace and security in the Middle East.
This breakthrough shows us the power and potential of diplomacy. Let it be a reminder that the solutions to conflicts are not found on the
battlefield. They must be forged at the negotiating table, and then, crucially, they must be fully implemented. The world is watching.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.
GUTERRES: Thank you very much --
ANDERSON: All right, that was the Secretary General of the United Nations. Trita, let me bring you back in. I interrupted you. Perhaps you just wanted
to comment on what you just heard there.
[09:20:00]
PARSI: It's difficult to disagree with the Secretary General on this point, and it is really pointing to the fact that it would be a disaster, if this
just turns out to be a tactical pause. We already have several Israeli analysts on Israeli TV saying there is no phase two.
There might be a phase two at some point, but it's not going to happen now, meaning that this will be a repeat of what happened between January and
March, in which there was an agreement it was faced, and the Israelis made sure that it never reached phase two, meaning it was never an actual
cessation of hostilities.
It was never actually an end to the genocide, but rather just a tactical pause. I think this time around, given how strongly Trump has endorsed
this, and he's really put his name on it, and this is what Hamas seems to have bet on, that they wanted him to do this in order to make it as
difficult as possible for him to accept that the Israelis would once again break the ceasefire and let him get away with it.
That nevertheless is not a hard guarantee, but it may give us at least a bit of a hope that this will go to phase two, and this actually will be an
end to the conflict, rather than just a ceasefire.
ANDERSON: Trita, thank you. I know that you've got to go so very much appreciate your time. Firas, look, I think the U.N. Secretary General
underscoring what you have said, what world leaders have been saying in response to the agreement being announced from Sharm El-Sheikh, what some
12, 15, hours ago.
This provides an opportunity to secure peace in the Middle East, but we're not there, not yet. And it is unclear what sort of guarantees have been
provided by Israel and the U.S., on the one hand, to Hamas about this being, you know, the end to this conflict, and on the other side, any
guarantees that Hamas may or may not have provided as far as disarming is concerned.
It is very unclear the detail at this point on much of the rest of this 20- point plan. Your point, I think, is that this begins a process now, and we have to hold this in great sort of esteem and hope, as it were, that this
is the beginning of the end.
MAKSAD: Yeah, absolutely. And let me just underscore some of your points here about the lack of clarity. Even in phase one, even the deal that was
announced yesterday, there remains some sticking points. What was agreed to, for example, on the swap of prisoners for hostages.
You know, 48 Israeli hostages for some 2000 Palestinian prisoners. There is still some discrepancy there between the Israeli and the Palestinian view.
Hamas handed over a list of names of the prisoners that they expect will be released. There has not been an Israeli response.
And we know that there had been significant difference, particularly in the top six militant Palestinian leaders, including Barghouti and others that
Hamas wants to see released. So, there's still some ambiguity there, even on phase one, which we have a principled agreement on right now.
But again, here we view that President Trump's involvement, the momentum that has been created, will be enough to see us through phase one, possibly
through phase two. The sticking points in phase two, we all know that there's a domestic incentive for the Israeli Prime Minister not to fully
conclude the war having to do with some of his you know, corruption trials and legal troubles, the cohesion of his governing coalition.
But a pathway has been created for him to accept and fully implement that ceasefire, with the opposition offering to provide his government support
in the Knesset. Now, if you're Bibi Netanyahu, you prefer not to put your political future and fate in the hand of your political nemesis in the
opposition, but President Trump, nonetheless, can create that momentum, can create that pressure to force Bibi into fully implementing this.
And on the Hamas out of the equation, they certainly don't want to disarm. They're ready to provide to hand over the governance of Gaza to a
technocratic government. It's a scenario that was not too different from what Hezbollah was in Lebanon for many years. They don't bear any of the
responsibility to providing for the people, but that they're the shadow force that maintains the weapons.
I don't think that that's likely. There's a need for some creative diplomacy. Already, some suggestions that the weapons can be handed over to
a third party for safe keeping. The Egyptians here playing a primary role in this potentially. So, a lot of these things, these circles, need to be
squared in the months ahead. And again, American pressure in President Trump's role is going to be key.
ANDERSON: Yeah, absolutely. Can I just ask you very briefly, what do you make of Turkey's role in these latter days, the latter stages of this
agreement?
[09:25:00]
MAKSAD: Yeah, Turkey along with Qatar is a country that has perhaps disproportional leverage over Hamas AKP in Turkey and President Erdogan
shares an ideological affinity to the thinking and the politics of Hamas and Muslim brotherhood. He shares President Erdogan shares a very positive
working relationship with President Trump.
We see that on display time and again every two every time the two men meet. And so, it seems to me that Turkey has gotten a pass from President
Trump on a number of issues that are important to it, a path forward on the F-35 program, which has been on hold, also the U.S. willing to look the
other way as Turkey continues to import and consume Russian gas.
And a willingness there, on behalf of Turkey to play a more positive role in Gaza and with Hamas. Now, that said, when it comes to troop deployment
in the day after, I would be surprised if the Israelis do accept for the Turks to have a physical role in Gaza that might be left for countries like
Egypt at the UAE and some of the other Arab and Muslim countries.
ANDERSON: Including very specifically, Pakistan, I would guess. I don't know that for sure, but one of the countries that has thrown its weight
behind this 20-point plan. Firas is always a pleasure. Thank you very much indeed. I'm going to bring you some images of the Israel Gaza border.
We are seeing smoke there, over on the Gaza side of that border. We are going to be back after this very quick break. Do stay with us. We are in
breaking news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, Paris taking center stage in discussions over the implementation of a ceasefire plan. The French President met Jordan's Crown
Prince on Wednesday to discuss developments. Foreign Ministers from Europe and the Middle East now gathering in Paris to talk about last night's
ceasefire deal, the hostage release agreement, and a day after plan in principle.
Melissa Bell following developments from Paris. Phase one agreed to that is a hostage deal in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a surge in
humanitarian aid the next stage of this wider sort of comprehensive peace plan are yet really to be delivered, and that is what is the focus, I
think, of these foreign ministers meeting in Paris. What do we know at this point?
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, at this moment, the Qatari Prime Minister is meeting with President Macron, then we expect
them to come here, Becky, where we're also going to have the foreign ministers, as you said, of a number of European countries and Arab
neighbors of Israel.
And these are countries that feel that they played an instrumental part in bringing this peace plan along and getting.
[09:30:00]
The United States encouraging it, working with it to bring it about. And they intend to play an important role in what comes next. Very much a
meeting, as you suggested, Becky, focused on the day after. They're going to be looking at things like the deployment, for instance, what part each
of them can play in that deployment of an international force on the ground.
And to consider a number of issues in terms of what happens just after the ceasefire, in order that they can keep being involved in that process. We
have seen the furious reaction of the Israeli Foreign Minister, though, about this meeting, tweeting this morning from Sharm El-Sheikh.
Becky, that this was an important distraction for President Macron from his own domestic worries that there would be no peace decided for Gaza without
the involvement of Israel, and a great deal of anger expressed about the fact that this had been organized about them. From the point of view of the
French, what they've had to say to the press about this meeting is that both Palestinians and Israelis were invited.
Were crucial in the preparation of this meeting, although none of them attended in person. We had expected Marco Rubio, the American Secretary of
State to be part of this meeting that was canceled at the last meeting, the French say because the American efforts are concentrated there in the
Middle East itself.
But we're going to hear a lot more about how these countries intend to continue to working together, as they did on the sidelines of the UNGA,
Becky, where what the French Foreign Ministry sources tell us is that they played a crucial part in bringing about the room for consensus that has
allowed this first part of a peace deal to be found.
And it isn't just about celebrating that. It is about deciding all the very many important next steps that they all believe they can play a part in,
Becky.
ANDERSON: Yeah, and that is interesting and important to bring up that the French co-sponsored the Palestinian summit in New York of course, alongside
the Saudis, they released a sort of framework for what a day after might look like for Gaza and the West Bank for Palestinians along that you know,
with a clear sort of pathway to Palestinian statehood.
I just wonder, for the benefit of our viewers who may not be aware of this, what is the sort of Macron and the French's role here? Can you explain
their role, their leadership role, and their position with regard the Middle East issue?
BELL: It was a Saudi, joint Saudi and French initiative, Becky, that goes back nearly a year, many months now, where, given their frustration at
their inability to be heard by Israel in terms of the way it was carrying out this war, of having any impact, apparently, on any of their decisions,
and not just in Gaza, but elsewhere as well.
They decided that, contrary to what had been the orthodoxy thus far, that somehow peace would be found in the Middle East and Palestinian statehood
would follow, they would reverse that, starting a dynamic where they hoped a number of other countries, and this is in fact, what happened by the time
of the UNGA back in September in New York would join that momentum, choosing to recognize the Palestinian statehood in order to give
Palestinians a greater voice and change the dynamic on the ground.
And what they believe the French very firmly, is that in the preparation of that recognition, it was their pressure on the sidelines of UNGA and their
collaboration with the Trump Administration, both Arab and European, that allowed for this position of compromise to be found, Becky.
ANDERSON: Good to have you, Melissa. And Melissa there in Paris. And more from Melissa, as we get it, we are going to take a quick break. After this,
we will get you more as Israel and Hamas agreed to stop fighting for the first phase of a U.S. broken ceasefire deal. A look next at how things are
supposed to move forward in the coming days.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:35:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WAEL RADWAN, GAZA RESIDENT: Thank God, today, President Trump announced that the war stopped. We are very happy that the war stopped. This is
something joyful for us, and we thank our brothers and anyone who contributed, even if verbally, to stop the war and to stop the bloodshed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well relief, finally, on the horizon for Palestinians in Gaza and for the hostage families in Israel, after Israeli officials and Hamas
agreed to the first phase of the U.S. brokered ceasefire deal. Here's what the first phase is meant to look like. As we understand it, an immediate
pause to the fighting with Israeli forces withdrawing to an agreed upon line.
All hostages released within 72 hours, and Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners taken both during and before the war. Finally, aid
deliveries to resume in Gaza, which effectively means a huge humanitarian surge. Because, of course, so little, if -- so little, is getting in at
present.
We've got a team on coverage. CNN's Alayna Treene is at the White House. Alayna it's an important dateline on this story. And International
Diplomatic Editor, Nic Robertson, is in Cairo, and that's where we want to start, because it was in Sharm El-Sheikh that this agreement was struck.
Hamas says they want a formal declaration in order for a hostage release to happen. This is what a senior Hamas official said a short time ago, Nic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OSAMA HAMDAN, SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIAL: The main point that allowed us to enter into this deal is that it ends the war. This is what is in the
agreement. It is not merely Hamas' position, and this is what the Israelis have signed up to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the Israeli cabinet is due to meet next hour. Somewhat concerningly, Israel is the only key party who so far has not said this
deal marks an end to the war. Nic, just get us up to speed on where you believe things stand at this point?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: It does appear as if there's still some details being negotiated between Hamas and mediators and
then on to Israel. And that concerns the list of Palestinian prisoners. We have the numbers now. 250 life sentence prisoners will be released held in
Israeli jails, Palestinian prisoners held there.
1700 other Palestinians, taken, we understand from Gaza, will be released some others, but it's the names of a couple of key figures there. Marwan
Barghouti has come up a unifying, popular politician within the Palestinian community, in jail five counts of murder that happened in 2002, he denies
the charges.
So there's that, that at the moment, is a red line, as we understand, for Israel, and that as we understand is still something that's being discussed
at the moment, but this very clear line from Hamas that you spoke about there, needing to see a formal end to the war, not a formal agreement to a
ceasefire, which is the ceasefire and hostage release, that first phase of the deal that the Israeli Security Cabinet will decide on later today.
And that's the price for entering into a situation for Hamas where they give up all their hostages. So, this is the point we're at. We do
understand there will be a formal signing today, perhaps the key to getting to the formal signing is the Israeli Cabinet decision. As you mentioned,
they're the only ones that have not said yes yet.
And what's in the -- when that formal -- those formal signatures, are given to that document, what is the wording in that document about a formal and
to the war.
[09:40:00]
We don't know these are details potentially still being discussed at the moment, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yeah, Alayna, let me bring you in. Donald Trump is due to travel to Cairo, or at least that has been the reported story. What are we hearing
from the White House at this point very specifically?
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: You know, the president has made clear that he wants to go to the Middle East. Of course, the time frame for
him doing that, he says he wants to go this weekend, and not only to Egypt, Becky, but he also says he wants to go to Israel to potentially address
Israeli parliament.
We have to see how those details come together. In my conversations with people here at the White House, I know that they are like scrambling to
look into that right now, and that is the hope, particularly to be there around the release of these hostages. And part of that, of course, is
because this is a moment that this president has been working for from even before he came back into office in January.
There have been a lot of stops and starts in this negotiating process, but it has come together very swiftly from the moment that he laid out what
that 20-point peace plan was. I think one of the big questions now, of course, is how quickly can they get the rest of the agreement together?
We know that the immediate parts of this Nic just laid it out. You laid it out as well, Becky, is the release of the hostages, the end of the
fighting, aid to Israel, all important things. But of course, what's going to matter is whether or not this can be a lasting peace deal.
And that is what so many people in that building behind me and throughout the administration are still very much working on, for example, Steve
Witkoff, the President's Middle East Envoy, Jared Kushner, his son in law, who has kind of taken on an unofficial role in all of this because of his
close relationships with some of the leaders in the Middle East.
They are going to continue to be a part of the negotiating process. A key question I know that many people have, and this is going to really be a key
question of whether this deal, the rest of the 20-point peace still will come together is whether Hamas will agree to disarm, whether you know Hamas
who they're going to have govern in Gaza City.
It won't be Hamas that has been made very clear by President Donald Trump. And so, figuring all of that out, we did hear the president say yesterday,
Becky, that he wants to set up some form of what he has called a council of peace, and then they will make the decisions on how the long-term
governance of Gaza is going to look.
Now, I will say as well, I would pay close attention. The president is going to address his cabinet here at the White House around 11:00 a.m. we
should get more details, hopefully, of what the rest of this can look like. But all in all, I should say this was a remarkable moment, particularly for
this administration and this White House that has been working very hard for this.
But while it is remarkable, there is still so much work that still needs to be done, and all of that is going to continue in the coming days.
ANDERSON: Yeah, it certainly is too early at this point to declare that the war is over. But calling this historic, this first phase of this agreement,
as the Egyptian President, Mr. Sisi did, I think is a fair fact at this point. Much work has been done. Much more to be done.
The Gaza conflict is the through line to potential peace in the Middle East, getting the conflict concluded, could just open the door for a new
era in the region where I am. Alayna, thank you. Nic Robertson, thank you. We are going to do more, of course, on this story.
Still to come though U.S. National Guard troops have started their mission in the Chicago area as legal showdowns over their deployments loom. We are
going to take a closer look at that, ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:45:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN HOEVEN (R-ND): Obviously, this is huge. It's monumental. And to get the prisoners back after all this time means so much. Think of what it
means to their families, means to all of us, and to find a way to end this war, it's really a big deal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that was North Dakota Senator John Hoeven giving his reaction to news of the ceasefire deal reached in Egypt last night as a
government shutdown continues back home, of course. Democrats and Republicans dug in, each side, waiting for the other to blink.
Democratic leaders say they are confident they are on the right side of history when it comes to the issue of health care. And they believe holding
out will put more public pressure on Republicans to concede, especially as health care premiums are expected to skyrocket for millions of Americans.
Well, the top Democrat in the House, Hakeem Jeffries, says not only are lawmakers no closer to reaching a deal, but communication between party
leaders has, he says, broken down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): The Democratic position has been clear. We will sit down with anyone, anytime, anyplace, one to reopen the government,
negotiate a bipartisan agreement that has to actually make life better for the American people, not hurt everyday Americans.
And a meaningful part of that is to address the Republican health care crisis, which includes, but is not limited to the largest cut to Medicaid
in American history, the failure of Republicans to address the Affordable Care Act tax credits that are expiring. Hospitals, nursing homes and
community-based health clinics closing all across America, including in rural parts of the country, because of the one big, ugly bill.
These are real issues affecting everyday Americans, working class Americans, and our view is that we need a meaningful response to addressing
the Republican health care crisis, not simply a band aid solution that Republican leadership in the House and the Senate don't even support right
now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the Trump Administration's aggressive attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago and to Portland will be tested in two
courtrooms today in two separate cities. A federal judge in Chicago, an appeals court in San Francisco. We'll hear arguments in the coming hours.
National Guard troops from Texas have already started their mission in the Chicago area as the legal showdown looms. Well, President Trump wants the
guard to protect federal agents and properties amid protests against immigration enforcement officials in Illinois and in Oregon, strongly --
that the legislators strongly oppose what they call the militarization of their cities, and say they don't want or need the National Guard patrolling
their streets.
CNN's Omar Jimenez joins us now from Broadview, Illinois, near Chicago. And what is happening on the ground right now in Chicago where you are?
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, so this morning, we have seen Texas guardsmen outside the federal immigration detention facility that is behind
me, and which matches up with what we've heard from U.S. Northern Command that Texas Guardsmen have officially deployed on their mission to protect
federal personnel and property.
So, these are the types of settings that we expect the National Guard to be deployed in front of, at this point, but the scope of what they do beyond
that is still within question, and even the legality of this deployment at all is still in question at this point.
[09:50:00]
That is set to be argued in a court hearing a little bit later this morning here in the Chicago area, where essentially President Trump, federalized
National Guard brought not only the Illinois National Guard in, but the Texas National Guard in, as well as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have pushed back forcefully against that, saying, not only is this not needed, this is not legal.
And to use the words of JB Pritzker, it constitutes an invasion, talking about Texas National Guard being up here in Illinois. But again, that is
the central question that this judge will be weighing at this point to figure out if even this deployment is legal, and again, the scope of how
they will be used outside of this is still to be determined, Becky.
ANDERSON: Omar, it's good to have you, sir. Thank you. Omar Jimenez is on the story, let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are
on our radar right now. In the 2025 Nobel Prize in literature has been awarded. It's been awarded to Hungarian Novelist Laszlo Krasznahorkai
announcing the prize in Stockholm, the committee praised his work for confronting apocalyptic terror.
Well, a detention hearing will continue today for this suspect in the deadly Palisades fire near Los Angeles. Jonathan Rinderknecht was arrested
in Florida, where he had his first court appearance on Wednesday. He did not enter a plea to charges of destruction of property.
The Palisades fire you will remember, killed a dozen people and burned thousands of homes and businesses back in January. North Korea's ruling
party turns 80 this week, Kim Jong Un is expected to roll out the red carpet for a host of foreign dignitaries for the big milestone.
And all signs do suggest that he'll be showing off his country's latest military hardware in a massive parade. The Workers Party of Korea is the
Seoul ruling party of North Korea. You are watching "Connect the World" with me Becky Anderson. The time here from our Middle East programming
headquarters in Abu Dhabi is just after 10 to six. There is a lot more news ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OHAD BEN AMI, FORMER ISRAELI HOSTAGE: I can't believe it. Elkana, Yosef, Seguir, Bar, Maxim, you're coming back home to your families. I can't
believe it. I can't believe I'll see you, hug you. Wow. I'm excited. I'm waiting for you. Can't wait to hug you already. I'm dying to, I'm dying to,
oh, what a day. Thank you, Trump.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that's the joy and relief of the Former Israeli hostage Ohad Ben Ami reacting to the news that the hostages still in Gaza could
soon be returning home. And these were the scenes in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv earlier President Trump, as you heard, getting praise and thanks in
many quarters for his part in getting the first phase of this deal over the line.
Let's remind ourselves how many hostages there are still in Gaza. 251 people were taken on October the seventh by Hamas. The Israeli government
says 47 of them are still being held. Well, more Israeli taken hostage before October the seventh is also still in Gaza. Well, 20 of the hostages
are thought to be still alive.
[09:55:00]
26 are presumed to have died in captivity. The fate of the remaining two is not yet known. Most of the hostages are Israeli citizens. However, five are
foreign nationals, three from Thailand, one from Tanzania and one from Nepal. Two of those believed to have died are dual U.S.-Israeli citizens.
Well, UNICEF's global spokesperson says he never thought the war would get to the point where the world, quote, failed the Palestinians so badly. He
says they are now waking up with an immense sense of relief, but also stress. There is so much more they need.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES ELDER, GLOBAL SPOKESPERSON OF UNICEF: As a Palestinian man said to me yesterday, everything's been taken from us, our homes, our ability to
protect our children, our ability to feed our children. People ask the Palestinians have hope. Yes, they have hope. They have hope because it's
the one thing they have agency over.
They have hope for a better future, and that better future starts with education. Education is that future. These are the things that Palestinians
will need right now, education, nutrition, water, no air strikes, peace, yeah, it's a day of hope.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That's the UNICEF spokesman there. "Connect the World" continues after this short break, more is coming up. Do stay with us here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
