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John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday for their pioneering research into quantum mechanical tunneling. Clarke conducted his work at the University of California, Berkeley; Martinis at the University of California, Santa Barbara; and Devoret at both Yale University and UC Santa Barbara. “To put it mildly, it was the surprise of my life,” Clarke told reporters at the announcement by phone after being told of his win. He paid tribute to the other two laureates, saying that “their contributions are just overwhelming." “Our discovery in some ways is the basis of quantum computing. Exactly at this moment where this fits in is not entirely clear to me.” Speaking from his cellphone, Clarke said: “One of the underlying reasons that cellphones work is because of all this work’’ Nobel in Medicine awarded to 3 scientists for immune tolerance research The Nobel committee said that the laureates' work provides opportunities to develop “the next generation of quantum technology, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and quantum sensors.” “It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the way that century-old quantum mechanics continually offers new surprises. It is also enormously useful, as quantum mechanics is the foundation of all digital technology,” said Olle Eriksson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics. It is the 119th time the prize has been awarded. Last year, artificial intelligence pioneers John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton won the physics prize for helping create the building blocks of machine learning. On Monday, Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discoveries about how the immune system knows to attack germs and not our bodies. The Nobel announcements will continue with the Chemistry Prize on Wednesday and the Literature Prize on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed on Friday, followed by the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences on October 13. October 4 in history: Sputnik launch sparks Space Age, notable events and birthdays The official award ceremony will take place on December 10, commemorating the 1896 death of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite who established the prizes. Each Nobel Prize includes a prestigious title and a monetary award of 11 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to nearly $1.2 million.

Hai Robotics, a global leader in intelligent warehouse automation systems for inventory storage and order fulfillment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Gwee as the new Regional Head for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). With over two decades of experience in material handling and warehouse logistics, Gwee brings a wealth of technical and strategic expertise to further expand Hai Robotics' footprint in the region. Previously serving as the Project Implementation Director at Hai Robotics in SEA (Singapore), Gwee successfully led his team in deploying over 200 HaiPick robotic units, consistently surpassing project goals and ensuring high customer satisfaction. His technical background, combined with over a decade of leadership experience, makes him the ideal candidate to lead operations, drive growth, and deliver high-impact automation solutions in the ANZ market. Thomas‘ diverse career experience includes key roles at Crown Equipments and SSI Schaefer, where he honed his expertise in automated storage, order fulfillment, and end-of-line system integration. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the rapidly transforming logistics ecosystem in ANZ. I’m thrilled to embark this journey with the team and bring cutting-edge automation technology to shape the future of intelligent warehousing across this region,” said Thomas Gwee, Regional Head – ANZ, Hai Robotics. “Thomas has consistently delivered high-performance results in some of our most complex deployments in Southeast Asia. His leadership, customer-focused mindset, and deep technical understanding make him uniquely qualified to scale our operations in ANZ,” said Nathan Zeng, President of SEA, ANZ, and South Korea, Hai Robotics. With rising demand for automated solutions across Australia and New Zealand, Hai Robotics continues its commitment to bring world-leading technologies and local expertise to empower businesses across retail, logistics and manufacturing verticals. About Hai Robotics Hai Robotics is a leading global provider of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), delivering unparalleled system flexibility and maximizing operational efficiency for facilities of all sizes and conditions. Hai developed a modular approach to automation called HaiPick Systems. By integrating advanced robotic equipment and software with nearly any industry-standard racking and storage materials, Hai Robotics delivers tailored automation solutions that can be easily modified even after implementation. HaiPick Systems reduce warehouse storage footprints by up to 75% while increasing storage density and vertical capacity to over 39 feet (12 meters). They achieve 99%+ order pick accuracy, provide a 4x boost in efficiency, 3x daily throughput, and eliminate the need for human travel in order picking. With 1,300+ projects implemented across 40+ countries, supported by 8 global offices and 60+ partners, Hai Robotics ensures reliable local support worldwide.  

On the eve of the second anniversary of the Gaza war, Israeli and Hamas representatives have begun indirect negotiations at an Egyptian resort, discussing a U.S.-proposed peace initiative aimed at ending the long-standing conflict. The talks, held over several hours on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, revolve around a plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Major sticking points remain, including Israel's insistence on Hamas disarming and questions about who will govern Gaza moving forward. Trump has suggested that a resolution in Gaza could set the stage for broader peace in the Middle East. Despite Trump’s call for Israel to halt its bombing campaign, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza, reportedly killing at least 19 people in the past day, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. An Egyptian official familiar with the discussions said Monday's session concluded with plans to resume on Tuesday. He noted that both sides had reached preliminary agreement on the first stage of the deal — which involves a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Crucial Egypt-mediated talks between Israel and Hamas underway Israel's team is led by senior negotiator Ron Dermer, with adviser Ophir Falk also attending. Hamas is represented by senior official Khalil al-Hayyah. According to Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera News, the process began with Hamas meeting Arab mediators, who later met with the Israeli delegation. U.S. figures including envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are also expected to join the negotiations, Egyptian media reported. Hamas stated that talks will address an initial ceasefire phase involving a partial Israeli withdrawal and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. This peace initiative gained momentum after both Israel and Hamas expressed conditional support for elements of the U.S. plan. Under its terms, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages—around 20 of whom are thought to be alive—within three days, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza. Israel and Hamas head to Egypt for ceasefire and hostage deal talks Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the discussions should last only a few days, though Hamas leaders warned more time may be needed to recover the remains of some hostages trapped under rubble. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi praised Trump’s role in seeking peace, emphasizing the importance of the long-standing U.S.-led peace efforts in the region, dating back to the 1970s. He spoke during a televised address marking the anniversary of the 1973 war with Israel, which resulted in Egypt regaining the Sinai Peninsula. U.S. Presses for Ceasefire The U.S. has made it clear that continued Israeli airstrikes must stop to facilitate the release of hostages. While Israel says it is largely complying, its military claims ongoing strikes are defensive in nature. Nonetheless, dozens of Palestinians have reportedly been killed since Saturday night. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that in the last 24 hours, 19 people were killed—including two seeking aid—and 96 were injured. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, following a deadly Hamas attack, the Palestinian death toll has reached 67,160, with nearly 170,000 wounded. The ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, is considered the most reliable source for casualty data by the UN and other observers. During the initial October 7 attack, Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and kidnapped 251. Many hostages have since been released through ceasefire deals. Meanwhile, families of the remaining Israeli hostages have nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting his efforts toward ending the war and securing the hostages' release. They expressed renewed hope that peace may soon be possible. At a memorial in Nir Oz Kibbutz for those killed on October 7, Daniel Lifshitz—whose family members were taken hostage—emphasized that the priority should be the immediate release of all captives. He acknowledged the difficult compromises Israel might make but said, “We cherish life, and in Trump we trust to make it happen.” Gaza Families Mark Grim Anniversary In Gaza, families of children born on the day the war began had hoped to mark their second birthdays with joy, but instead remain surrounded by violence and displacement. Many now live in dire conditions, lacking sanitation, food, and medical care. Amal al-Taweel and her husband, Mostafa, had their son Ali after years of trying. Now, they live in a tent, far from the peaceful life they imagined for him. “He never got to experience what a safe, loving home feels like,” she said. Vatican Calls for Proportionality As the war's anniversary approaches, the Vatican condemned the October 7 attacks on Israel as an “inhuman massacre,” while also criticizing Israel’s extensive bombing of Gaza. It called on nations to halt arms shipments to Israel and urged respect for the principle of proportionality in warfare. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, stated: “Even in legitimate defense, proportionality must be maintained. A spiral of hatred will only lead to destruction.”

Israeli and Hamas officials launched indirect talks Monday at an Egyptian resort on a U.S.-drafted peace plan to end the ruinous war in Gaza on the eve of its second anniversary. Many uncertainties remain about the plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, including the disarmament of the militant group — a key Israeli demand — and the future governance of Gaza. Trump has indicated an agreement on Gaza could pave the way for a Middle East peace process that could reshape the region. Despite Trump ordering Israel to stop the bombing, Israeli forces continued to pound Gaza with airstrikes, killing at least 19 people in the last 24 hours, the territory's Health Ministry said. An Egyptian official said talks began Monday afternoon at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the talks. The Israelis are led by top negotiator Ron Dermer, while Khalil al-Hayyah leads the Hamas delegation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk would be present for Israel, but it was not clear if Dermer had arrived yet. Egypt’s state-owned Al-Qahera News television station reported that the talks began with a meeting between Arab mediators and the Hamas delegation. Mediators will then meet with the Israeli delegation, the station said. Egyptian and Qatari mediators will discuss the outcome of their meetings with both parties, before U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff joins the talks, it said. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is also expected to join the talks, Egypt’s state-run al-Ahram reported. Hamas said negotiations will focus on the first stage of a ceasefire, including the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces as well as the release of hostages held by the militants in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention. This latest push for peace comes after Hamas accepted some elements of the U.S. plan that Israel also said it supported. Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — about 20 of whom are believed to be alive — within three days. It would give up power and disarm. The talks in Egypt are expected to move quickly. Netanyahu said they would be “confined to a few days maximum,” though some Hamas officials have warned that more time may be needed to locate bodies of hostages buried under rubble. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi hailed Trump’s efforts, underscoring the importance of preserving the U.S.-crafted “peace system” in the Middle East since the 1970s, which he said “served as a strategic framework for regional stability.” El-Sisi spoke in a televised address commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1973 war with Israel that led to Egypt reclaiming the Sinai Peninsula, where Sharm el-Sheikh is located. US wants Israeli bombing to stop The U.S. has said Israel's heavy bombardment of Gaza would need to stop for the hostages to be released. Israel says it's largely heeding Trump's call. The Israeli military said it is mostly carrying out defensive strikes to protect troops, though dozens of Palestinians have been killed since the military's statement Saturday night. Gaza's Health Ministry said Monday that the bodies of 19 people, including two aid-seekers killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire, had been brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours. Another 96 were wounded. The deaths brought the Palestinian toll to 67,160 since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, triggered the war, with nearly 170,000 wounded, the ministry said. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but says more than half of the deaths were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack. Most of the largely Israeli hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages petitioned the Nobel Prize Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump for what they called his unprecedented contributions to global peace. “At this very moment, President Trump’s comprehensive plan to release all remaining hostages and finally end this terrible war is on the table,” the families wrote. “For the first time in months, we are hopeful that our nightmare will finally be over.” In a commemoration ceremony for Israelis killed at the Nir Oz Kibbutz on Oct. 7, Daniel Lifshitz said the primary focus of talks should be the swift release of all remaining hostages. “Israel will pay painful concessions by releasing mass murderers and terrorists that killed many among our friends and families here in Israel, but we cherish life and in Trump we trust to make it happen," said Lifshitz, grandson of slain hostage Oded and released hostage Yocheved Lifshitz. 'Living in fear, war and displacement' In Gaza, families of Palestinian babies born on the day the war began hoped to celebrate their second birthday with the sound of laughter and cheers instead of the cacophony of bombs and bullets. The babies' mothers have been repeatedly displaced and live in constant fear for their safety. They also lack access to health care. Amal al-Taweel and her husband, Mostafa, had their son, Ali, after three years of trying for a child. They now live in a tent without proper sanitation, food, vaccinations or toys. “I was envisioning a different life for him … He couldn’t experience what a safe family life feels like," al-Taweel said. The Vatican marked the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks by condemning the “inhuman massacre” of innocent people in Israel and calling for the return of hostages. But it also said Israel’s razing of Gaza is itself a disproportionate massacre, and called on countries to stop supplying Israel weapons to wage the war. “Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defense must respect the principle of proportionality,” Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said on the eve of the anniversary. “The perverse chain of hatred can only generate a spiral that leads nowhere good.”  

Israeli and Hamas officials are set to engage in indirect talks in Egypt on Monday in a bid to reach a ceasefire agreement and negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap, as the devastating Gaza war nears its second anniversary. The negotiations are taking place in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Israel's delegation, led by senior negotiator Ron Dermer, is expected to arrive Monday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Hamas officials, led by Khalil al-Hayyah, arrived in Egypt on Sunday. The talks will focus on the initial phase of a potential ceasefire deal, which includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, are also expected to join the discussions, according to Egypt’s state media. This diplomatic push follows Hamas' partial acceptance of a U.S.-backed peace proposal, which has received support from Trump and a cautious endorsement from Israel. Under the proposal, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — about 20 of whom are believed to still be alive — within three days, relinquish power, and disarm. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said the talks are expected to last only a few days. However, some Hamas officials have suggested more time may be needed, particularly to locate bodies of hostages buried under rubble. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi praised Trump’s role in advancing the peace effort, saying in a televised address that a ceasefire, the return of hostages and detainees, and the reconstruction of Gaza are essential steps toward lasting peace and regional stability. He emphasized the need to preserve the decades-old U.S.-brokered peace framework in the region. Bombing Slows Amid Talks Israel has indicated it is scaling back airstrikes in response to calls from the U.S. to ease military pressure during the negotiations. However, deadly attacks have continued. Since Saturday night, Israeli strikes have killed dozens in Gaza, though the military claimed it was targeting militant threats. On Monday, the Israeli military reported eliminating a “terrorist cell” armed with explosives and mortars, and destroying another group that had launched a mortar shell injuring an Israeli soldier. It also struck a site used to fire anti-tank missiles. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 19 new deaths in the past 24 hours, including two civilians seeking aid, and 96 injuries. The total death toll has risen to 67,160 since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack sparked the war. Nearly 170,000 people have been wounded, according to the ministry, which is operated by Hamas but remains a primary source for casualty data cited by international organizations. Hamas militants abducted 251 people and killed about 1,200, mostly civilians, during the initial attack. Most of the hostages have since been released through previous ceasefire deals. Children of War In Gaza, children born on the day the war began are nearing their second birthdays amid bombings and displacement. Many families live in tents with minimal belongings, struggling with hunger, trauma, and lack of medical care. Rola Saqer, a displaced mother from Beit Lahia, said her daughter Masa has suffered from chronic malnutrition and weighs only eight kilograms — the same weight for the past five months. “I wanted her to grow up strong, but fear and hardship have weakened her,” said Saqer, who had struggled for years to have a child. “She has known nothing but war.” In a nearby tent, Amal al-Taweel, another displaced mother, said her son Ali was born after three years of trying for a baby. Now, the family lives without sanitation, food security, or access to vaccines and toys. “I imagined a happy life for him, in a safe home,” she said. “Instead, his world is war, destruction, and fear.”

France plunged deeper into political instability as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned just hours after announcing his new Cabinet — and less than a month into the role — amid mounting criticism and an inability to build consensus. The French presidency confirmed Monday that President Emmanuel Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation. Lecornu, a close Macron ally, had replaced François Bayrou, becoming the country’s fourth prime minister within a year. In his resignation speech, Lecornu said the political environment made it impossible to lead effectively. “It would take very little for this to work — more selflessness from many, and a bit of humility. The country must come before party,” he said. The sudden resignation triggered immediate political backlash. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen urged Macron to either dissolve the National Assembly or step down himself. “We’ve reached a dead end,” she said, calling for snap elections. Left-wing parties also demanded Macron’s resignation, while others pushed to revive a broad leftist coalition of socialists, greens, and communists. Markets reacted swiftly to the turmoil, with France’s CAC-40 stock index falling nearly 2% from Friday’s close. The newly appointed ministers — some not yet officially sworn in — were left in limbo, serving only in a caretaker capacity. Ecology Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher expressed her frustration on social media, writing: “I despair of this circus.” Lecornu’s Cabinet choices drew criticism across the board, particularly his decision to name former Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire as defense minister — a move questioned due to his role in rising public deficits. One of Lecornu’s key challenges was to pass a national budget amid France’s spiraling debt, which reached €3.346 trillion ($3.9 trillion), or 114% of GDP, by Q1 2025. Servicing this debt consumes about 7% of the state budget. Several ministers from the previous government were retained, including Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. France’s political gridlock has persisted since last year’s snap elections, which produced a fragmented parliament. The far-right and far-left together control over 320 seats, while centrists and conservatives hold only 210. Before resigning, Lecornu had consulted widely with political parties and unions in an attempt to form a consensus Cabinet. He pledged not to use the executive’s special constitutional powers to bypass Parliament on budget matters, promising instead to work with lawmakers across the spectrum.

The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi for their pioneering work on peripheral immune tolerance. Brunkow, 64, is a senior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle. Ramsdell, 64, is a scientific adviser for Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco. Sakaguchi, 74, is a distinguished professor at the Immunology Frontier Research Center at Osaka University in Japan. Peripheral immune tolerance is one way the body helps keep the immune system from getting out of whack and attacking its own tissues instead of foreign invaders. Their work dates back to 1995, when Sakaguchi made the first key discovery. Brunkow and Ramsdell made another breakthrough in 2001 and Sakaguchi linked all of their work two years later. “The laureates’ discoveries launched the field of peripheral tolerance, spurring the development of medical treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases,” the Nobel Assembly said in a news release. “This may also lead to more successful transplantations. Several of these treatments are now undergoing clinical trials.” Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Committee, said he was only able to reach Sakaguchi by phone Monday morning. “I got hold of him at his lab and he sounded incredibly grateful, expressed that it was a fantastic honor. He was quite taken by the news,” Perlmann said. He added that he left voicemails for Brunkow and Ramsdell. The award is the first of the 2025 Nobel Prize announcements and was announced by a panel at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Nobel announcements continue with the physics prize on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday and the Nobel Memorial Prize in economics Oct. 13. The award ceremony will be held Dec. 10, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, who founded the prizes. Nobel was a wealthy Swedish industrialist and the inventor of dynamite. He died in 1896. The trio will share the prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor (nearly $1.2 million).

Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Sunday issued a joint statement welcoming Hamas's steps toward the ceasefire plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war in the Gaza Strip. According to the statement, the foreign ministers of the eight countries welcomed "the steps taken by Hamas regarding Trump's proposal to end the war in Gaza, release all hostages, alive or deceased, and the immediate launch of negotiations on implementation mechanisms," it said. They further commended Hamas's announcement of "its readiness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian administrative committee of independent technocrats," emphasizing the need for the immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal and address all of its aspects. The foreign ministers also welcomed Trump's call on Israel to "immediately stop the bombing and to begin implementation of the exchange agreement," expressing appreciation for his commitment to establishing peace in the region. The ministers affirmed that these developments represent "a real opportunity to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire and to address the critical humanitarian conditions facing people in the Gaza Strip." The foreign ministers reiterated their joint commitment to supporting efforts to implement the proposal, end the war in Gaza, and reach "a comprehensive agreement" ensuring unrestricted humanitarian aid, no displacement of Palestinians, and the protection of civilians. They also called for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Bank, full Israeli withdrawal, Gaza's reconstruction, and a just peace based on the two-state solution. The joint statement came a day after Egypt announced that it would host Israeli and Hamas delegations on Monday to discuss field arrangements and details for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners under Trump's ceasefire proposal. Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 170,000 others since Oct. 7, 2023, according to an update by Gaza's health authorities, in addition to destroying infrastructure and causing famine in the enclave.

Israel and Hamas prepared for indirect negotiations in Egypt on Monday, as hopes for a possible ceasefire in Gaza began to build after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a hostage release could be announced this week. President Donald Trump has welcomed the militant group’s statement accepting some elements of the U.S. peace plan. Israel has said it supported the new U.S. effort. Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — about 20 believed to be alive — within three days. It would give up power and disarm. Monday's discussions will focus on the proposed exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, Egypt’s foreign ministry said. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is joining the talks, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to brief reporters. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the current situation is “the closest we’ve come to getting all of the hostages released.” But he warned that “there are a lot of opportunities here for whoever wants to sabotage it to do so." Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,’’ he described two phases after Hamas accepts Trump’s framework: The hostages are released and Israel pulls back in Gaza to the “yellow line,” where it was in August. Rubio told CBS that Hamas should release hostages as they are ready, and that bombardment needs to end so they can be released. The U.S. plan also addresses Gaza's future. In a text exchange with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Trump said there would be “complete obliteration” if Hamas stayed in power there. Trump also texted that Netanyahu was on board for ending the bombing and peace in Gaza but added, “soon on the rest.” Support for a ceasefire grows “I hope that we are closest to a hostage deal since the (ceasefire) deal in January,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in a speech Sunday. Anxious relatives of hostages gathered near Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, with some urging Trump to continue to apply pressure. Israel's recent military offensive in Gaza City led many to fear for the hostages' lives. “We cannot allow such a historic agreement to be sacrificed again,” said Michel Ilouz, father of Guy Ilouz. As hundreds of thousands of people marched across several European cities and elsewhere Sunday in support of Palestinians, the foreign ministers of eight Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement welcoming steps toward a possible ceasefire. In backing Hamas’ willingness to hand over the running of Gaza to a transitional committee, the ministers called for an “immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal.” They also underlined their commitment to the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Bank and reaching an agreement on security leading to a “full Israeli withdrawal” from Gaza. Rubio told ABC that decisions regarding a governing structure or international group to manage Gaza can take place simultaneously with the first step of the ceasefire. “That’s the part that I think is going to be a little tougher to work through, but that’s what’s going to provide permanency to the end of the conflict,” he said. At least 12 killed in Gaza on SundayTrump has ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza, but residents and local hospitals said strikes continued across the territory. “While certain bombings have actually stopped inside of the Gaza Strip, there’s no ceasefire in place at this point in time,” Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Badrosian told journalists. She also said Netanyahu is in “regular contact” with Trump and that the prime minister has stressed that the talks in Egypt “will be confined to a few days maximum, with no tolerance for maneuvers that will delay talks by Hamas.” At least eight people were killed Sunday in multiple strikes in Gaza City, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the casualties. Four other people were shot dead near an aid distribution site in the southern city of Rafah, according to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military said it was not involved in the shooting and did not immediately comment on the strikes. “We’re on the brink, and we don’t know whether one will die of a strike or starvation,” said Mahmoud Hashem, a Palestinian father sheltering in a tent in Gaza City. Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll in the war reached 67,139 on Sunday, with nearly 170,000 injured. The ministry does not differentiate how many of those killed were civilians or combatants, but says women and children make up about half of the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. The Israeli military said Saturday it is continuing to work to dismantle Hamas infrastructure across the strip and warned residents not to return to northern Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages from Gaza “in the coming days” as indirect talks with Hamas continue in Egypt on Monday on a new U.S. plan to end the war. In a brief statement late Saturday, Netanyahu said he has sent a delegation to Egypt “to finalize technical details,” adding that “our goal is to contain these negotiations to a timeframe of a few days.” He spoke after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of the U.S. plan. President Donald Trump welcomed the Hamas statement but on Saturday warned that “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off.” Earlier Saturday, a hospital official said Israeli bombing of Gaza City had “significantly subsided,” though at least five Palestinians were killed. Israel's army meanwhile said the country's leaders had instructed it to prepare for the first phase of the U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza. Israel has moved to a defensive-only position in Gaza and will not actively strike, said an official who was not authorized to speak to the media on the record. The official said no forces have been removed from the territory. Still, Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiyah told the AP that Israeli strikes killed five Palestinians across Gaza City, while bombing had "significantly subsided.” The army statement came hours after President Donald Trump ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza once Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan. Trump welcomed the Hamas statement but on Saturday warned that “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off.” He noted that Israel had “temporarily stopped the bombing.” Trump appears determined to deliver on pledges to end the war and return all hostages ahead of the second anniversary on Tuesday of the attack that sparked it. His proposal unveiled earlier this week has widespread international support. On Friday, Netanyahu's office said Israel was committed to ending the war that began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Netanyahu is under increasing pressure to end the conflict. The official told the AP that Netanyahu put out the rare late-night statement on the Sabbath, saying that Israel has started to prepare for Trump's plan due to pressure from the U.S. The official also said a negotiating team was getting ready to travel. Egypt’s state-run broadcaster Al-Qahera News, which is close to security agencies, reported that indirect talks between Hamas and Israel will start Sunday. A senior Egyptian official said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Egypt to head the U.S. negotiating team in the talks to release the Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli detention. The talks also will discuss maps showing the expected withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas in Gaza, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to brief the media. The official involved in the ceasefire negotiations also said Arab mediators are preparing for a comprehensive dialogue among Palestinians aimed at unifying their position toward Gaza's future. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the second most powerful militant group in Gaza, said it accepted Hamas’ response to the Trump plan. The group had rejected the proposal days earlier. Progress, but uncertainty ahead Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of them believed to be alive — within three days. It also would give up power and disarm. In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of Gaza, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction. Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians. Its statement also didn't address the issue of Hamas demilitarizing, a key part of the deal. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general and chairman of Israel’s Defense and Security Forum, said while Israel can afford to stop firing for a few days in Gaza so the hostages can be released, it will resume its offensive if Hamas doesn't lay down its arms. Others said that while Hamas suggests a willingness to negotiate, its position fundamentally remains unchanged. This “yes, but" rhetoric "simply repackages old demands in softer language," said Oded Ailam, a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, who asserted that it serves more as a smoke screen than a signal of true movement toward resolution. Still, some Israelis expressed cautious hope. A group representing some families of hostages said the prospect of seeing loved ones return “has never been closer.” They appealed to Trump to keep pushing “with full force” and warned that “extremists on both sides” will try to sabotage the plan. Meanwhile, protests have erupted across Europe calling for the war's end. Unclear what it means for Palestinians Palestinians in Gaza tried to piece together what the plan means in real terms. “We want practical implementation. We want a truce on the ground,” said Sameer Qudeeh in Khan Younis. He worried that talks will break down again. “I hope Hamas ends the war, because we are truly tired,” said Mohammad Shaat in Khan Younis, as anxious Palestinians roamed the shattered streets. Israeli troops were still laying siege to Gaza City, the focus of its latest offensive. On Saturday, Israel's army warned Palestinians against trying to return to the city, calling it a “dangerous combat zone."