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Israel and Hamas took a crucial first step in their fragile ceasefire agreement on Monday by exchanging hostages and prisoners, offering cautious hope that the U.S.-brokered deal might eventually end the devastating two-year conflict in Gaza. However, key unresolved issues — including the disarmament of Hamas, the future governance of Gaza, and the broader question of Palestinian statehood — highlight how delicate and temporary this truce remains. For now, it only halts what has become the deadliest conflict in the history of Israeli-Palestinian relations. For many in Israel, the return of the final 20 surviving hostages was a moment of celebration and emotional closure. But with those hostages now home, the widespread pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance to the next stages of the agreement may begin to ease. Alongside the hostages, the bodies of four deceased captives were also returned, with 24 more expected in the coming days. The ceasefire’s first phase also requires Israel to allow significantly more humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food and essential supplies. Relief and Destruction on Both Sides While Palestinians rejoiced over the release of prisoners from Israeli jails, daily life in Gaza remains dire. After months of heavy Israeli bombardment, the region is in ruins — infrastructure is collapsed, the economy has been destroyed, and countless homes lie in rubble. It's still unclear who will fund the years-long process of rebuilding. Trump and Netanyahu Claim Progress Former U.S. President Donald Trump visited the region to mark the ceasefire’s early progress. In an address to Israel’s parliament, he called on leaders to pursue long-term peace. He later joined other global leaders in Egypt to begin negotiating the more complex parts of the agreement. Although Netanyahu didn’t attend the Egypt summit due to a Jewish holiday, he told Israeli lawmakers that the deal fulfills Israel’s military goals. He repeated that Israel’s conditions for ending the war — freeing all hostages and defeating Hamas — have been met. Still, critics argue he prolonged the war for political gain, something he denies. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's military response has since killed over 67,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Though the ministry’s figures don’t distinguish between fighters and civilians, they are widely cited by the UN and global observers. The war’s effects have spread throughout the Middle East, with clashes involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian-backed militants in Yemen, and even direct exchanges with Iran. Emotional Reunions in Israel Public celebrations broke out across Israel as citizens watched the return of hostages on large screens. Families reunited in deeply emotional scenes. One father, Zvika Mor, greeted his son with disbelief: “You are alive! Two arms and two legs.” Another freed hostage, Bar Kupershtein, was embraced by his father, who stood up from his wheelchair for the first time in years to hug his son. This time, Hamas conducted no formal ceremonies before releasing the captives. Instead, masked fighters allowed brief video calls between hostages and their families before their return home. The hostage crisis had united much of Israeli society, with weekly protests pushing the government to prioritize their release. Many believed that Netanyahu’s dual goals — bringing hostages home and eliminating Hamas — were at odds with one another. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any delay in returning the bodies of deceased hostages would be seen as a breach of the ceasefire agreement. Palestinians Celebrate Prisoner Release In both the West Bank and Gaza, large crowds welcomed the release of over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Many flashed victory signs as they disembarked from buses headed for the West Bank, Gaza, or exile. Among the released was Mahmoud Fayez, arrested during an Israeli raid on Gaza’s Shifa Hospital last year. “Praise be to God, who honored us with this joy,” he said. The released prisoners included 250 individuals serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis and 1,700 people from Gaza detained during the war, most held without formal charges. Prisoner issues remain highly emotional in Palestinian society, where many people have relatives who have been detained. Many Palestinians see them as freedom fighters. Trump Urges Peace During Regional Visit Speaking to the Israeli parliament, Trump emphasized that the military phase of the conflict had reached its end. “Israel has won everything it can through military force,” he said. “Now is the time to turn those victories into peace and prosperity for the region.” His speech was briefly interrupted by a protest from two Knesset members, one holding a sign saying “Recognize Palestine,” before being removed. Later in Egypt, Trump joined Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and leaders from over 20 nations to discuss Gaza’s future. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs parts of the West Bank, also took part. Major Hurdles Still Lie Ahead Among the most contentious issues still unresolved is Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm — something Hamas has rejected, while also insisting that Israel fully withdraw its troops from Gaza. Currently, Israeli forces have pulled out of much of Gaza City and Khan Younis, but they remain in Rafah, northern towns, and along Gaza’s border with Israel. The question of who will govern Gaza after the war remains unclear. Under the U.S.-backed proposal, an international body would oversee governance, with Palestinian technocrats managing daily operations. Hamas insists that only Palestinians should determine Gaza’s political future. The plan envisions a possible future role for the Palestinian Authority, although Netanyahu has opposed this idea. The plan also demands reforms to the Authority before it takes any responsibility in Gaza. A key part of the proposal includes deploying an Arab-led international security force, supported by Palestinian police. Israeli forces would gradually withdraw as these units are deployed. Around 200 U.S. troops are already stationed in Israel to help monitor the ceasefire. Finally, the deal leaves open the possibility of a future Palestinian state — a prospect long rejected by Netanyahu.

During a global summit on Gaza’s future, former President Donald Trump urged regional leaders to move beyond historical animosities and embrace a new chapter of peace in the Middle East. His remarks followed a visit to Israel celebrating a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire with Hamas. “We now have a rare opportunity to move past the longstanding grudges and deep-rooted hostilities,” Trump said, calling on leaders to reject the divisions of the past and build a shared future. The summit in Egypt, which Trump attended after speaking at the Israeli Knesset, came at a moment of cautious optimism following two years of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas. “Everyone said peace wasn’t possible. But it’s happening,” Trump said, standing beside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Delegates from nearly 30 countries, including Middle Eastern and European nations, attended the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited but declined due to the proximity of a Jewish holiday. Trump’s Knesset speech briefly interrupted over Palestine Trump joined el-Sissi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in signing a framework for Gaza’s future development, which he said would support lasting peace. While many details about Gaza’s future remain uncertain, Trump expressed a strong commitment to fostering a new regional order. In his speech to the Knesset earlier in the day—where he received a hero’s welcome—Trump declared victory over Hamas and encouraged Israelis to turn military success into long-term peace. “You’ve won,” he told lawmakers. “Now it’s time to turn those victories into lasting peace and prosperity for the entire region.” He also vowed to assist with rebuilding Gaza and appealed to Palestinians to renounce violence once and for all. All surviving hostages released amid Trump’s visit to Knesset “After years of pain and loss,” Trump said, “the focus must shift to lifting people up instead of tearing others down.” In a surprise remark, Trump extended an olive branch to Iran, a country he had ordered strikes against during its brief conflict with Israel earlier in the year. He said the U.S. remained open to cooperation and friendship. A Fast-Paced Diplomatic Tour Trump arrived in Egypt behind schedule due to extended speeches at the Knesset, joking about Israeli leaders being long-winded. During his visit, 20 hostages were released as part of a broader agreement aimed at ending the war that began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack. Trump met with some of the released hostages’ families. A woman told him, “Your name will be remembered for generations.” Trump received multiple standing ovations in the Knesset, with some attendees wearing red hats echoing his signature campaign slogan, altered to say: “Trump, The Peace President.” Netanyahu praised Trump as “Israel’s greatest friend in the White House” and pledged to work with him to secure peace. Trump, in turn, urged Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges—though hearings have been delayed due to the war. Trump also took the chance to thank allies and donors while criticizing previous Democratic administrations. A Fragile But Historic Moment The first stage of the ceasefire involves releasing the remaining hostages held by Hamas, freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza, and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal from urban centers. Trump emphasized that the ceasefire marked a pivotal moment to reframe Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors. “The war is over,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “People are exhausted. That’s why this peace can hold.” He credited the opportunity to recent U.S. support for Israel’s actions against Iranian-backed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The White House also noted increased engagement from Arab and Muslim nations toward resolving the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Back in February, Trump had envisioned Gaza becoming the “Riviera of the Middle East,” but on the flight to Egypt, he acknowledged the reality. “Right now, it looks like a demolition site,” he said, though he expressed hope to visit it one day. Key issues remain unresolved, including postwar governance in Gaza, reconstruction plans, and Israel’s demand for Hamas to disarm. Talks could break down, and Israel has warned that it may resume military operations if progress stalls. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, with its 2 million residents facing severe humanitarian conditions. As part of the deal, Israel has reopened five border crossings to allow aid to flow more freely into the besieged territory, where famine conditions persist. To support and monitor the ceasefire, around 200 U.S. troops will join a coalition of international partners, NGOs, and private organizations.

Their faces stare down from every street corner in Israel on posters now sun-faded and ripped. Their stories, told by anguished family members, are almost as well-known as celebrities. They are civilians and soldiers, fathers and sons. Some were at the Nova music festival, where almost 400 people were killed and dozens kidnapped. On Monday, Hamas released 20 hostages into the custody of the Red Cross, which then brought them to Israel as part of a new ceasefire deal that many hope will signal an end to two years of war in the devastated Gaza Strip. Under the agreement, all living hostages were to be released, as well as the bodies of the deceased. Two hostages previously thought to be living were confirmed dead: Tamir Nimrodi and Bipin Joshi. Israel had previously expressed “grave concern” over their status. The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when some 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped. The fighting has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the deaths were women and children, and displaced around 90% of the Gaza population of some 2 million. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the United Nations and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties in Gaza. Prior to Monday's release, there were 48 hostages held in Gaza, including the body of one soldier from a previous war. Israel had determined that at least 25 of the hostages were killed on Oct. 7, 2023, or died while in captivity. Under the ceasefire agreement that took effect last Friday, the remaining hostages were to be released within 72 hours. Israel released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Here is a look at the 20 hostages released Monday: Gali Berman & Ziv Berman, 28 The fraternal twins were taken from their homes in kibbutz Kfar Aza, on the border with Gaza, during the Oct. 7 attack. Seventeen others were also abducted from Kfar Aza, but the Berman twins were the only hostages from the kibbutz who remained in captivity. The family had heard from hostages who returned in a previous deal that, as of February, the brothers were alive but being held separately. Liran Berman, their older brother, said it’s the longest the two have ever spent apart. In Kfar Aza, the twins lived in apartments across from each other. Gali is more outgoing, while Ziv is more reserved and shy with a sharp sense of humor, their brother said. Omri Miran, 48 Omri Miran was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz kibbutz. During the attack, militants held his family, including his two daughters, ages 2 and 6 months, hostage in the kitchen of a neighbor’s house and then broadcast it on Facebook Live. Miran and the father of the other family, Tsachi Idan, were kidnapped. Idan’s body was released during the last hostage exchange after he was killed in captivity. Lishay Miran Lavi, Miran’s wife, said their younger daughter knew “daddy Omri” only through photos and videos, and didn't really understand what a father is. Matan Angrest, 22 Matan Angrest, an Israeli soldier, was taken from his military tank in southern Israel. He is the oldest of four children from Kiryat Bialik, outside of Haifa. His family has been among the most vocal protesters and very critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Tuesday's two-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, his mother, Anat Angrest, addressed her son at a rally. “I know you’re in pain, and I can’t hug you. I hear you whisper, ‘Come for me, Mom,’ and I can’t protect you," she said. Eitan Mor, 25 Eitan Mor was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival, where he helped evacuate people injured in the attack. Mor’s parents helped found the Tikva Forum, a loosely organized group of hostage families. They advocated for military pressure, not an immediate ceasefire or hostage release deal, as the best chance for bringing the hostages home. That stance has put Mor’s father at odds with many of the other families of hostages. Alon Ohel, 24 Alon Ohel, who also has German and Serbian citizenship, was kidnapped at the Nova music festival from a mobile bomb shelter along with Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli who was killed in captivity in August 2024. A talented pianist, his family has placed pianos across Israel and several sites around the world to raise awareness of his plight. Three other hostages who had been held with Ohel for more than a year were released during the previous ceasefire, including Eli Sharabi, who said Ohel was like his adopted son. Sharabi said they were kept chained for the entire period of their captivity and subsisted on a moldy pita per day. Ohel has shrapnel in his eye from the attack on the bomb shelter and his family is worried he may be partially blind. Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24 Guy Gilboa-Dalal was among those abducted from the Nova music festival, while his brother managed to escape. In the past year, he’s appeared in two videos released by Hamas. In one, he appears alongside his childhood friend, David, with militants filming them pleading for their freedom in a vehicle while they watch three other hostages on stage being released to the Red Cross. Elkana Bohbot, 36 Elkana Bohbot was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. In the past year, Hamas has published multiple videos of Bohbot, filmed under duress, including one where he has a fake telephone conversation with his wife, Rivka; their son, Reem; his mother and his brother — pleading with them to help him get out of Gaza. His son made binoculars in kindergarten which he often used to go out and “look for his father,” according to Bohbot’s mother, Ruhama. Rom Braslavski, 21 Braslavski was working as a security guard at the Nova festival. He attempted to help festival goers evacuate and was wounded in both hands before being kidnapped, witnesses said. In August, the Islamic Jihad militant group released a video of a skeletal Braslavski sobbing and pleading for his life, adding that injuries to his foot prevent him from standing. The videos of Braslavski and Evyatar David digging his own grave horrified Israelis, sparking some of the largest attendance in months at weekly protests. His father, Ofir, said Rom is usually a strong, happy-go-lucky kid, and that video is the first time he’s seen his son cry. Nimrod Cohen, 21 Nimrod Cohen was taken from a tank where he was stationed as a soldier in southern Israel. Cohen is obsessed with Rubik's cubes, his family said, and a burned Rubik's cube was found in the tank he was abducted from. This year, his mother, Viki Cohen, illustrated a Passover haggadah, the text laying out the rituals and story recited during the Passover holiday, in honor of hostages, partly because her family stopped celebrating holidays after the attack. “We don’t gather as a family, because it reminds us how much he is missing,” Cohen said. The only time the extended family would gather is at protests, she said. Ariel Cunio, 28 The youngest of four Cunio brothers, Ariel was kidnapped from the Nir Oz kibbutz with his girlfriend, Arbel Yehoud, and her brother, Dolev, a married father of four who was later killed in captivity. According to news reports, Cunio and Yehoud had returned from an extended trip to South America weeks before the attack and had just adopted a puppy. Yehoud was released during the ceasefire in January. David Cunio, 35 David Cunio, brother of Ariel Cunio, was kidnapped with his wife, Sharon, and their 3-year-old twins from the Nir Oz kibbutz. Sharon’s sister Danielle and her 5-year-old daughter, who were visiting, also were kidnapped. All were released in November, except for David Cunio. In July, Sharon shared a photo of the twins marking their fifth birthday, their second without their father, writing on Facebook that the girls have changed so much while he’s been in captivity that “they’re not the same little girls he knew.” Evyatar David, 24 Evyatar David was taken hostage at the Nova music festival along with his childhood friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal. In August, Hamas released a video of David, gaunt and pale, who said he was digging his own grave. The condition of the hostages in the videos horrified Israelis and led tens of thousands of protesters to take to the streets and demand a ceasefire deal, in one of the largest turnouts for the weekly hostage protests in months. Maksym Harkin, 37 Maksym Harkin was abducted from Nova, which was the first festival he had ever attended, according to his family. Harkin was born in Ukraine and moved to Israel with his family, where he lived in Tirat HaCarmel in the north. He has a 3-year-old daughter and was the primary provider for his mother and 11-year-old brother. Just before he was taken, his mother said he sent a final text message that said, “I love you.” In July, Hamas released a video of him filmed under duress several months prior. Eitan Horn, 38 Eitan Horn, originally from Kfar Saba, was visiting his brother Iair at the Nir Oz kibbutz on Oct. 7. Both were kidnapped. For most of the war, the two were held with three other hostages in a filthy cell underground. In early February, militants filmed the emotional interaction between the brothers as they were told that Iair would be released and Eitan would stay in Gaza. Since his release, Iair Horn has campaigned for his brother and the other hostages, flying frequently to the United States and meeting with politicians. Segev Kalfon, 27 Segev Kalfon was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was last seen attempting to flee militants along the highway. Before the attack, he worked at his family’s bakery in Dimona, in southern Israeli. The middle child of three, Kalfon had recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, a condition his family has highlighted in urging his release. Kalfon’s family received a sign of life from him after the last ceasefire, when some of the hostages said they were held with him for months. Kalfon’s family has focused on religious rituals in their fight for his release, including traveling to the grave of prominent rabbis and dedicating a Torah scroll in his honor. Bar Kupershtein, 23 Bar Kupershtein was working at the Nova festival as a security guard when he was abducted. Witnesses said Kupershtein stayed at the festival to try to provide first aid to people who had been shot and injured. Kupershtein was the main financial support for his family after his father was severely injured in an accident several years ago, his aunt, Ora Rubinstein, told reporters. She said that his father worked with a physical therapist to regain the ability to speak, so he could meet with politicians to advocate for his son’s release. He has told the family that he would walk again when his son came home, she said. Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25 Yosef-Chaim Ohana was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was working as a bartender. Witnesses saw him attempting to help others escape before he was kidnapped. He is the oldest of three brothers, one of whom previously died from an illness. Avinatan Or, 32 Avinatan Or was kidnapped from the Nova music festival along with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024. On Oct. 7, Hamas released a video of the pair that has become one of the most well-known videos from that day. It showed Argamani on an all-terrain vehicle crying, “Don’t kill me!” and reaching out her arms to Or, who is being marched away from her by militants. Or worked in hi-tech in Tel Aviv before his abduction. Matan Zangauker, 25 Matan Zangauker was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz along with his girlfriend, Ilana Gritzewsky. The two met while working on a medical cannabis farm there. Gritzewsky was released after 55 days and has since advocated tirelessly for his release, wearing a hat of Zangauker’s she rescued from their burned home. His mother, Einav, has been a constant presence at protests, giving impassioned speeches and even being hoisted in a cage above the crowd to draw attention to the hostages’ plight. Zangauker, who said she was previously a Netanyahu supporter, has emerged as one of his harshest critics. Two hostages determined to be dead: Bipin Joshi, 24 Bipin Joshi arrived in Israel from his native Nepal a month before the attack. He had been the only non-Israeli hostage believed to be alive in Gaza. He came to Israel on a student exchange to work and study agriculture at kibbutz Alumim on the Gaza border. Ten of the 17 Nepali students in the program were killed during the attack. Joshi, who was able to throw a number of live grenades out of the bomb shelter where they were hiding, was injured and kidnapped. Joshi’s sister, 17-year-old Pushpa Joshi, regularly travels eight hours each direction on buses to Kathmandu from her home in western Nepal to lobby officials to secure her brother’s release. In August, his family traveled to Israel to meet with President Isaac Herzog and join families demonstrating in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. Last week, Joshi’s family released footage of him in captivity filmed under duress from around November 2023. Tamir Nimrodi, 20 Tamir Nimrodi was taken from Erez, a crossing on the northern border of Gaza that had been the main route for people entering and leaving the territory. He had been serving with the Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Nimrodi was taken with two other soldiers by militants who walked them to the Gaza gate and forced them to cross. Israel confirmed the deaths of the two soldiers who were taken with Nimrodi. There had been no sign of life from Nimrodi in the two years since he was seen in footage walking into Gaza in shorts and a T-shirt without his glasses. Herut Nimrodi, his mother, said she didn't know what was worse: to think he has been killed in captivity, or that he was alive but being held in terrible conditions. “I’m scared to even imagine,” she said.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech to Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, was briefly interrupted on Sunday when opposition lawmaker Ayman Odeh held up a sign calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Odeh later said on social media that he was removed for raising “the simplest demand” accepted by the international community, emphasizing the existence of two peoples in the region. Trump’s address, lasting over an hour, largely focused on praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the U.S.-Israel relationship. He highlighted Israel’s military successes in Gaza, the recent release of hostages, and called for peace and prosperity across the Middle East. Trump also urged regional nations to prioritize schools, healthcare, and industry over weapons, while reiterating U.S. support for Israel. During the speech, Trump requested Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu amid his ongoing corruption trial. He concluded by declaring, “I love Israel, and I’m with you all the way.” Meanwhile, over 20 world leaders, including Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for a summit aimed at finalizing a long-term Gaza peace agreement.   Source: BBC

The 2025 Nobel season concluded with the announcement that three economists will share the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their research on innovation-driven growth. Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt were recognized for their work on how new technologies drive economic progress by replacing older ones, a concept known as “creative destruction.” Mokyr, 79, a Dutch-born historian at Northwestern University, explores long-term trends through historical sources, while Aghion, 69, from the Collège de France and the London School of Economics, and Howitt, 79, a Canadian economist at Brown University, use mathematical models to explain innovation’s impact. Other Nobel winners this year include: Medicine (Oct. 6): Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for discoveries on regulatory T cells and immune system regulation. Physics (Oct. 7): John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for work on quantum tunneling with applications in technology. Chemistry (Oct. 8): Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for developing molecular structures capable of trapping large quantities of gas. Literature (Oct. 9): Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai for novels reflecting art’s power amid apocalyptic themes. Peace (Oct. 10): María Corina Machado of Venezuela for her role as a unifying figure in political opposition. All awards, except the Peace Prize announced in Oslo, are revealed in Stockholm. The ceremonies will be held on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt were awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences on Monday for their contributions to explaining innovation-driven economic growth. Mokyr is affiliated with Northwestern University; Aghion holds positions at the Collège de France and the London School of Economics; and Howitt is a professor at Brown University. Aghion said he was shocked by the honor. “I can’t find the words to express what I feel," he said by phone to the press conference in Stockholm. He said he would invest his prize money in his research laboratory. Asked about the current situation in the world, Aghion said that: “I am not welcoming the protectionist way in the US. That is not good for ... world growth and innovation.” The Nobel committee said Mokyr “demonstrated that if innovations are to succeed one another in a self-generating process, we not only need to know that something works, but we also need to have scientific explanations for why.” The winners were credited with better explaining and quantifying “creative destruction,” a key concept in economics that refers to the process in which beneficial new innovations replace — and thus destroy — older technologies and businesses. The concept is usually associated with economist Joseph Schumpeter, who outlined it in his 1942 book “Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy.” Aghion and Howitt studied the mechanisms behind sustained growth, including in a 1992 article in which they constructed a mathematical model for creative destruction. “The laureates’ work shows that economic growth cannot be taken for granted. We must uphold the mechanisms that underlie creative destruction, so that we do not fall back into stagnation,” said John Hassler, Chair of the committee for the prize in economic sciences. One half of the 11 million Swedish kronor (nearly $1.2 million) prize went to Mokyr and the other half was shared by Aghion and Howitt. Winners also receive an 18-carat gold medal and a diploma. The economics prize is formally known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The central bank established it in 1968 as a memorial to Nobel, the 19th-century Swedish businessman and chemist who invented dynamite and established the five Nobel Prizes. Since then, it has been awarded 56 times to a total of 96 laureates. Only three of the winners have been women. Nobel purists stress that the economics prize is technically not a Nobel Prize, but it is always presented together with the others on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896. Last year’s award went to three economists — Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson — who studied why some countries are rich and others poor and have documented that freer, open societies are more likely to prosper. Nobel honors were announced last week in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and peace.

Hamas on Monday released the last 20 living hostages as part of a ceasefire that brought an end to two years of conflict in Gaza, which had resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians. The release coincided with a visit from former President Donald Trump to Israel, where he celebrated the U.S.-negotiated truce and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. Trump stated the agreement had effectively brought the war to a close and opened a path toward lasting peace in the region. As part of the arrangement, Israel agreed to free over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and permit humanitarian aid and food into Gaza. Israel Receives 13 Hostages The Israeli military confirmed that it had taken custody of 13 hostages from the Red Cross. These individuals will be brought to a military base in southern Israel to reunite with their families and then flown to hospitals for further care. Hamas Hands Over Remaining Hostages to Red Cross According to the Israeli military, Hamas transferred the final 13 living hostages to Red Cross officials on Monday. Israeli forces will facilitate their transport into the country. Trump Declares End of War Between Israel and HamasIn the Israeli parliament (Knesset), where Trump addressed lawmakers, many attendees wore red hats reading: "Trump, The Peace President." When asked whether the war was officially over, Trump answered, “Yes.” He had made similar remarks earlier aboard Air Force One, despite the ceasefire being in its early stages and still delicate. Summit for Peace in Egypt Nears Launch In Egypt’s resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, final preparations are underway for a high-profile summit led by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The event aims to rally global support behind the ceasefire and begin negotiations on key postwar issues, such as Hamas disarmament, governance in Gaza, Israel’s military withdrawal, and reconstruction funding. Trump Signs Knesset Guestbook During his Knesset visit, Trump was welcomed by Speaker Amir Ohana, who said, “Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to the Knesset. We’ve been longing for this day.” Trump signed the guestbook with the message: “This is my great honor. A great and beautiful day. A new beginning,” followed by his signature. Trump Envoy Reflects on Personal Loss During Hostage Release Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy who played a major role in securing the ceasefire, reflected on the emotional weight of the moment. He mentioned his son Andrew, who died in 2011 from an opioid overdose, and expressed both relief and sorrow in a message shared on X. Witkoff emphasized the importance of recovering the bodies of deceased hostages, calling it an act of honor and closure. Israeli Forces Use Tear Gas on Crowd Awaiting Prisoner Release Outside Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank, an Israeli armored vehicle fired rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinians waiting for the release of around 250 detainees expected to be freed Monday. Drones hovered overhead as the crowd dispersed. The Associated Press reported the circulation of a flyer warning that individuals supporting “terrorist organizations” could be arrested. The Israeli military did not comment on the flyer.

An attempted coup is underway in Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina said Sunday, a day after members of an elite army unit were seen joining youth-led protests against his government. The Indian Ocean Island nation has been gripped by three weeks of its most serious unrest in years, with demonstrations organized by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar.” The United Nations said 22 people have been killed and dozens injured, though the government disputes that figure. A statement from Rajoelina’s office said it “wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force has been initiated.” “In view of the extreme gravity of this situation, the President of the Republic strongly condemns this attempt at destabilization and calls upon all forces of the nation to unite in defense of constitutional order and national sovereignty,” it said. While the statement did not specify who was behind the attempt, members of the elite CAPSAT military unit reportedly joined the protesters on Saturday. The demonstrations, driven by anger over service failures and allegations of corruption and nepotism, began on Sept. 25. Rajoelina, who first rose to prominence as Madagascar’s transitional leader following a 2009 coup, was elected president in 2018 and re-elected for a second term in 2023.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to Egypt on Monday to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace, the office of the UN Secretary-General said Saturday. “The Secretary-General is traveling to Egypt to attend on Monday the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace. He is expected back at UN Headquarters on Wednesday,” the office said in a brief note to correspondents. The summit will take place at Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, the Egyptian Presidency announced Saturday. Co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the meeting will bring together leaders from more than 20 countries. Officials said the summit aims to end the Gaza conflict, strengthen peace efforts in the Middle East, and promote a new phase of regional security and stability.

Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan pro‑democracy activist, has come under fire after being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Critics say the prize is controversial because Machado has publicly backed Israel and its military actions in Gaza and has previously called for foreign assistance to help remove Venezuela’s government. The Nobel Committee named Machado the Peace Laureate on Friday, praising her role in defending democracy and resisting authoritarian rule in Venezuela. orgen Watne Frydnes, the committee’s chair, described her as a "key, unifying figure in a political opposition" and hailed her as a "champion of peace" who has kept democratic hopes alive. In his announcement Frydnes added, "In the past year, Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist." The award prompted a swift reaction from Washington, with the White House criticising the decision for "placing politics over peace" — a rebuke that came amid a recent U.S. effort to present President Donald Trump as a global peacemaker. Machado later dedicated her Nobel to Trump; the U.S. President said he was happy for her. Opponents have pointed to Machado’s past statements and actions as grounds for protest. They cite social media posts and public remarks in which she expressed solidarity with Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and voiced support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. One frequently highlighted line from her past posts says, "The struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel." She has also referred to Israel as a "genuine ally of freedom" and once pledged to move Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem if elected. Norwegian lawmaker Bjornar Moxnes noted Machado signed a cooperation document with Israel’s Likud party in 2020, arguing that association with a party blamed by some for actions in Gaza makes the award incompatible with the Nobel’s aims. The Council on American‑Islamic Relations condemned the decision as "unconscionable," urging the Nobel Committee to reconsider and calling instead for recognition of those who have "bravely pursuing justice for all people," including students, journalists, activists and medical workers opposing what they call "the genocide in Gaza." Machado also faces criticism over appeals she made for foreign support against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. In 2018 she posted a copy of a letter she said she had sent to Argentina’s then‑president and to Israel’s prime minister, writing, "Today, I am sending a letter to @mauriciomacri, President of Argentina, and to @netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, to ask them to apply their strength and influence to advance in the dismantling of the criminal Venezuelan regime, intimately linked to drug trafficking and terrorism." That call for outside intervention remains a focal point for critics who say it contradicts the Nobel Peace Prize’s spirit. Supporters argue Machado’s personal sacrifices and leadership in Venezuela’s opposition movement merit recognition, while detractors say her foreign alliances and statements about Israel and intervention undermine the moral standing of the prize. The debate over her selection has quickly become a flashpoint in wider discussions about how the Nobel Peace Prize should balance political realities, moral consistency and the promotion of peace. With inputs from NDTV