On 9 October, Donald Trump announced that he had successfully manoeuvred Israel and the Palestinian population of Gaza into a ceasefire:
BREAKING: President Trump has announced a ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/5A2pe8oqin
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 8, 2025
As is now customary, Israel seemed to immediately violate the ceasefire:
Plumes of smoke from Israeli attacks were seen rising over Gaza hours after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire plan, brokered by Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/asekeAXM9T
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 9, 2025
Violation
Trump’s initial statement seemed to suggest the ceasefire was now active. At 14:11, however, the BBC reported:
More now from Israeli prime minister’s office spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian.
She says a ceasefire will begin in Gaza within 24 hours after this evening’s Israeli cabinet meeting – if those at the table agree to the terms of phase one, which was approved in Egypt this morning.
This is despite earlier reports from our Gaza correspondent that the ceasefire was expected to take effect immediately once approved by the Israeli government.
This followed widespread reporting that Israel was attacking Palestinians, many of whom presumably believed they were safe to return to their homes:
Israeli tanks bomb Gazan civilians live on camera despite Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire! pic.twitter.com/fs3WvbaFBS
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) October 9, 2025
Israel has been bombing, shelling & blowing up robotic suicide vehicles in Deir Al-Balah, Khan Younis, Tal Al-Hawa, Al-Sabra, Al-Shati refugee camp… pic.twitter.com/swt5yNVSQP
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) October 9, 2025
Palestinians were celebrating the ceasefire before Israel re-commenced bombing them:
Overburdened by over two years of Israeli genocide, Palestinians in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, celebrate the announcement of the ceasefire agreement. pic.twitter.com/0bFbwCb52c
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 9, 2025
Starmer was among those who praised Trump:
I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. pic.twitter.com/LIlo8103aJ
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 9, 2025
He’s yet to post about Israel continuing to bomb Palestinians.
Other commentators, meanwhile, have highlighted that America always had the power to stop the genocide, because Israel is entirely reliant on them for financial, political, and military support:
This ceasefire could have happened immediately after Oct 7, when Hamas offered to return all the Israeli captives.
Biden could have achieved this ceasefire.
Trump could have done this months ago.
How many lives could have been spared?
— Dr. Annelle Rodriguez Sheline (@AnnelleSheline) October 9, 2025
Ceasefire?
Regardless of when the ceasefire should or shouldn’t commence, it’s obviously a troubling sign that Israel saw fit to shell civilians after the announcement. Sadly, however, this move wasn’t unexpected, and it certainly wasn’t unprecedented.
Senior Israeli officials, meanwhile, are already contradicting Trump on what the ceasefire means:
Israeli officials are already contradicting Trump. Here is Smotrich saying they want to “ensure that this is not, God forbid, a deal of hostages in exchange for stopping the war.”
That is, in fact, exactly the point of a ceasefire. https://t.co/bv7BnDZoEP
— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) October 9, 2025
This could be a problem for Trump in the longterm, as elements of his base are accusing him of ‘humiliating’ America:
Tucker Carlson blasted US leaders for letting Israel dictate American policy, saying Netanyahu brags about controlling Trump and the US, and called it humiliating that Americans are being forced into harmful decisions for another country.
Carlson said the “humiliation ritual” pic.twitter.com/Acjq2IDtXF
— Irlandarra (@aldamu_jo) October 4, 2025
We’ll continue to report on the situation in Gaza as it unfolds.
Featured image via Al Jazeera
By Willem Moore
This post was originally published on Canary.