Thousands of Palestinians displaced by the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas have started returning to their homes, many of which have been reduced to rubble. The ceasefire officially came into effect on Friday, with Israeli forces pulling back from key areas in Gaza. The agreement includes the release of Israeli captives within 72 hours in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Residents of Gaza expressed mixed emotions—relief at returning home but grief at the destruction left behind. Crowds gathered along coastal and city streets, marking their return after years of displacement. The humanitarian situation remains fragile, with thousands needing urgent assistance.

Hazem Qassem, spokesperson for Hamas, has accused Israel of attempting to manipulate specific clauses of the recently announced peace agreement, particularly those concerning prisoner lists and Gaza withdrawals. According to Qassem, Israel is seeking to exploit these clauses while avoiding meaningful discussions. He emphasized that the key priority is to create suitable conditions on the ground for the exchange of prisoners, asserting that a genuine peace agreement should end the brutal conflict against the Palestinian people. Hamas also announced that a peace agreement was reached through talks in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Indirect discussions with Israel began on Monday with the objective of reconsidering U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal. Arab and Israeli media reported that the first phase of the agreement has started taking effect, and the Israeli cabinet has approved the deal.

Under a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israeli troops have started withdrawing from parts of Gaza, allowing some residents to return to their devastated neighborhoods. In Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan area, homes lie in ruins, and many locals remain cautious about whether the ceasefire will hold. Ismail Zayda, a 40-year-old resident, expressed gratitude that his house is still standing, while neighbors’ houses were completely destroyed. In southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis, some Israeli troops have already pulled back, though tank fire continues in nearby areas. In central Nuseirat refugee camp, soldiers retreated east toward the Israeli border, with some returning after early morning gunfire. Rescue teams are now reaching previously inaccessible areas, recovering bodies from earlier attacks. The ceasefire, part of a U.S.-backed plan, includes prisoner exchanges and phased Israeli troop withdrawals.

Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has been removed from office following a historic impeachment vote by the country’s Congress. In a late-night session, 124 of 130 lawmakers voted in favor of her removal after she failed to appear to defend herself against four separate impeachment motions. Boluarte, who came to power in December 2022, faced criticism for her government’s inability to control violent crime, including murders and extortion, which have surged in recent months. Official figures show over 6,000 killings and nearly 16,000 extortion complaints this year, the highest since 2017. Hours before the vote, a shooting at a Lima concert heightened public anger. Prime Minister Eduardo Arana’s defense in Congress failed to change the outcome. Boluarte’s partial blame on illegal immigrants for the crime crisis also drew controversy.

An Israeli reservist, Sergeant First Class Michael Mordechai Nachmani, 26, was killed by gunfire from a Hamas sniper in Gaza City on October 9. Nachmani, a resident of Dimona, served in the 614th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Technology and Maintenance Corps. The attack coincided with Israeli and Hamas representatives signing an agreement in Egypt to release all prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza. Israel’s cabinet has approved a ceasefire, which will come into effect within 24 hours, while hostages are expected to be freed within 72 hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as both a diplomatic achievement and a moral victory for Israel, signaling a hopeful, yet tense moment in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Bangladesh has taken a significant step toward accountability as a court formally charged 28 individuals on October 9, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, over allegations of enforced disappearances, secret detentions, and torture. The International Crimes Tribunal also issued arrest warrants against the accused. Human Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed the move, highlighting years of impunity under Hasina’s administration, during which extrajudicial killings, torture, and suppression of dissent reportedly increased. HRW’s Asia Deputy Director Meenakshi Ganguly noted that previous promises of investigation went unfulfilled. Following mass protests in 2024 that led to Hasina’s fall, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus formed a commission investigating disappearances, documenting over 1,850 cases, with more than 300 people believed to have died in custody. HRW emphasized the importance of fair trial standards and expressed ongoing concern about potential use of the death penalty, while acknowledging this development as a rare step toward justice.

A massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake has rocked the southern Philippines, particularly the Mindanao region, prompting immediate tsunami warnings from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that waves as high as 10 feet could hit some coastal areas. Neighboring countries, including Indonesia and the island nation of Palau, are also on alert for potential tsunami waves reaching over one meter (about three feet). Authorities have urged residents in low-lying coastal zones to evacuate to higher ground as a precaution. Emergency response teams are monitoring the situation closely, while aftershocks are expected in the coming hours. Power outages and communication disruptions have been reported in parts of Mindanao. The extent of damage and casualties remains unclear as rescue operations continue in the affected regions.

US President Donald Trump has announced that the war in Gaza has officially ended, crediting the United States for successfully brokering peace in the Middle East. Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Thursday (October 9), Trump said, “The United States has stopped this war,” calling it a major diplomatic breakthrough. He expressed optimism that the region is now moving toward “long-term and possibly permanent peace.” Trump also stated that Israeli hostages held in Gaza are expected to be released on Monday or Tuesday, and that the US delegation will travel to Egypt to sign a peace agreement. Additionally, he urged wealthy Middle Eastern nations to contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction, saying that even a small portion of their resources could greatly help rebuild the war-torn area. Trump’s remarks come amid growing international efforts to restore stability and humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Pakistan’s security forces killed at least 30 militants during an intelligence-based operation in Orakzai district, launched after an earlier assault that left 11 soldiers dead. Among the fallen officers were Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq and Major Tayyab Rahat. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the militants belonged to “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a foreign-backed group. Another operation in Dera Ismail Khan killed seven more suspected militants, though commanding officer Major Sibtain Haider also died. Recent data from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) shows a 46 percent rise in violence across Pakistan in the third quarter of 2025, with over 900 deaths—mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Analysts attribute the surge to renewed militant activity after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

Renowned Bangladeshi photographer, writer, and activist Dr. Shahidul Alam has been released from Israeli custody after being abducted from the Freedom Flotilla’s ship “Conscience” on October 8 by Israeli occupation forces. Following his capture, he was taken to Israel’s Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert, where numerous Palestinian prisoners are reportedly subjected to severe mistreatment. Dr. Alam was freed earlier today and has arrived in Turkey on Turkish Airlines flight TK6921. According to Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Turkey, Amanul Haque, he will return home tonight on another Turkish Airlines flight departing Istanbul at 6:45 p.m. local time (9:45 p.m. Bangladesh time). The flight is expected to land in Dhaka early Saturday morning at 4:55 a.m. His release has brought relief and joy to colleagues, human rights advocates, and supporters across Bangladesh who had been calling for his safe return.

Internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi photographer and writer Dr. Shahidul Alam has been released from Israeli custody after being abducted by Israeli occupation forces on October 8 from the Freedom Flotilla ship Conscience. He was detained at Israel’s Ketziot Prison, located in the Negev Desert, known for holding Palestinian prisoners under harsh conditions. Shahidul Alam arrived safely in Turkey today on Turkish Airlines flight TK6921. The Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed his arrival, stating that Bangladesh’s Consul General in Istanbul, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, welcomed him at the airport. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan played a vital role in facilitating Alam’s release, for which Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed gratitude. Shahidul was among several journalists, activists, and medical workers detained from the flotilla by Israeli forces. He is expected to return to Bangladesh soon following his release.

Renowned Bangladeshi photographer, writer, and human rights activist Dr. Shahidul Alam has been released from Israeli custody after being detained along with other journalists, medics, and crew members aboard the Conscience, a ship of the Freedom Flotilla bound for Gaza. The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces on October 8, and all aboard were taken to Ashdod Port and later transferred to the Ketziot Prison in the Negev Desert, known for harsh conditions. His release was confirmed by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, which also announced that he boarded a flight from Israel to Istanbul with Turkish assistance. Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for facilitating Alam’s release. Shahidul Alam is expected to return home soon, marking the end of his brief but intense detention that sparked international concern and renewed calls for humanitarian access to Gaza.

Former Pakistani Senator Mushtaq Ahmad has announced his resignation from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), stating his intention to work independently for human rights, democracy, and constitutional freedoms. Mushtaq, who recently returned to Pakistan after being detained by Israeli authorities during the Global Sea Flotilla mission, said his resignation was submitted on September 19 while aboard the flotilla, though the party has yet to formally accept it. Known for his principled stance within JI, he described the decision as deeply emotional but necessary to create his own political space. Mushtaq clarified that he harbors no personal conflict with party leaders, including JI chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman. He announced plans to launch a mass movement, forming 100,000 “Palestine Committees” across Pakistan to unite citizens for Palestinian justice. Criticizing delayed global action on Gaza, he hailed Hamas’s steadfast struggle as key to current developments.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh has issued arrest warrants against 30 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Awami League’s 15-year rule. Among the accused are 14 active and 10 retired army officers, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, ex-Police Chief Benazir Ahmed, and two former RAB directors. The tribunal has ordered authorities to arrest and present all accused before the court by October 22. Legal experts note that such a large number of military officers being charged simultaneously in criminal and war crimes cases is unprecedented in Bangladesh. The interim government recently amended the tribunal law, barring government officials from retaining their posts once formally charged. Lawyers say military officers may face either military or civilian trials depending on the nature of their alleged offenses.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly removed all limitations on the country’s missile program, according to senior parliamentary sources. Previously, missile ranges were capped at 2,200 kilometers, but the new decision allows Tehran to expand its missile capabilities without restrictions. Analysts suggest this move indicates a significant shift in Iran’s defense posture, particularly after last June’s regional conflict, reflecting Tehran’s intent to adopt a stronger military stance. Ahmed Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the parliamentary National Security Committee, emphasized that missile development remains a key component of Iran’s security strategy, and decisions will be made based on national defense needs rather than foreign pressure. The announcement comes shortly after Iran accused Israel of spreading false claims about its intercontinental ballistic missile ambitions. The move could escalate tensions in the Middle East and influence global security dynamics.