Happy Thursday!
We are one step closer to peace in the Middle East after Israel and Hamas agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage deal to end the conflict in Gaza.
Also, households across the U.S. are facing billions of dollars of debt, but with that debt comes numerous calls from debt collectors.
With apples back in Julian, we’re following through with one orchard owner who is still recovering from one of the worst harvests.
All of that and more news you can use — and Megan Parry's microclimate forecasts — in your morning newsletter for Oct. 9, 2025:
THE STREAMLINE:
ABC 10News brings you The Streamline for Thursday, Oct. 9 -- everything you need to know in under 10 minutes:
TOP STORY:
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a pause in their devastating two-year war and the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners — a breakthrough greeted with joy and relief Thursday but also caution.
Uncertainty remains about some of the thornier aspects of the plan advanced by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump — such as whether and how Hamas will disarm, and who will govern Gaza. But the sides appear closer than they have been in months to ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, reduced much of Gaza to rubble, brought famine to parts of the territory, and triggered other conflicts across the Middle East.
The war, which began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has also sparked worldwide protests and led to allegations of genocide that Israel denies.
Even with the agreement expected to be signed in Egypt later in the day, Israeli strikes continued, with explosions seen Thursday in northern Gaza. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
An Israeli military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines said that Israel was continuing to hit targets that posed a threat to its troops as they reposition.
In the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, celebrations were relatively muted and often colored by grief.
“I am happy and unhappy. We have lost a lot of people and lost loved ones, friends and family. We lost our homes," said Mohammad Al-Farra. "Despite our happiness, we cannot help but think of what is to come. ... The areas we are going back to, or intending to return to, are uninhabitable.”
In Tel Aviv, families of the remaining hostages popped champagne and cried tears of joy after Trump announced on social media late Wednesday that “ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line.”
On Thursday, thousands of observant Jews streamed into Jerusalem’s Old City to mark the holiday of Sukkot, with extra rejoicing for the upcoming hostage release.
“We were screaming and singing last night,” said Hindel Berman, a New Jersey resident who came to Jerusalem for the holiday. “We never, never, never gave up hope.”
Under the terms, Hamas intends to release all 20 living hostages in a matter of days, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss details of an agreement that has not fully been made public.
“With God’s help we will bring them all home,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed on social media.
Netanyahu plans to convene his Security Cabinet late Thursday to approve the ceasefire, and the entire parliament will then meet to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The deal will include a list of prisoners to be released and maps for the first phase of an Israeli withdrawal to new positions in Gaza, according to two Egyptian officials briefed on the talks, a Hamas official and another official.
Israel will publish the list of the prisoners — and victims of their attacks have 24 hours to lodge objections.
The withdrawal could start as soon as Thursday evening, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to be publicly named speaking about the negotiations.
The hostage and prisoner releases are expected to begin Monday, the officials from Egypt and Hamas said, though the other official said they could occur as early as Sunday night.
Five border crossings would reopen, including the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, allowing 400 trucks in the initial days and increasing to 600 trucks after that, the Egyptian and Hamas officials said.
Trump is expected in the region in the coming days.
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has opposed previous ceasefire deals, said he had “mixed emotions.”
While he welcomed the return of the hostages, he said he had “immense fear about the consequences of emptying the jails and releasing the next generation of terrorist leaders” and said that as soon as the hostages are returned, Israel must continue trying to eradicate Hamas and ensure Gaza is demilitarized.
Hamas, meanwhile, called on Trump and the mediators to ensure that Israel implements “without disavowal or delay” the troop withdrawal, the entry of aid into Gaza and the exchange of prisoners.
Trump's peace plan
The Trump plan calls for an immediate ceasefire and release of the 48 hostages that militants in Gaza still hold from their attack on Israel two years ago. Some 1,200 people were killed by Hamas-led militants in that assault, and 251 were taken hostage. Israel believes around 20 of the hostages are still alive.
Under the plan, Israel would maintain an open-ended military presence inside Gaza, along its border with Israel. An international force, comprised largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would be responsible for security inside Gaza. The U.S. would lead a massive internationally funded reconstruction effort in Gaza.
The plan also envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority — something Netanyahu has long opposed. But it requires the authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, to undergo a sweeping reform program that could take years to implement.
The Trump plan is even more vague about a future Palestinian state, which Netanyahu firmly rejects.
More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and nearly 170,000 wounded during the war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half of the deaths were women and children. 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.
Relief at a deal
Even with many details yet to be agreed, many expressed relief at the progress.
In Tel Aviv, joyful relatives of hostages and their supporters spilled into the central square that has become the main gathering point in the effort to free the captives.
Einav Zangauker, the mother of Israeli captive Matan Zangauker and a prominent advocate for the hostages’ release, told reporters that she wants to tell her son she loves him.
“If I have one dream, it is seeing Matan sleep in his own bed,” she said.
From the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, Alaa Abd Rabbo called the announcement “a godsend.”
“This is the day we have been waiting for,” said Abd Rabbo, who was originally from northern Gaza but was forced to move multiple times during the war. “We want to go home.”
This would be the third ceasefire since the start of the war. The previous two also saw hostages and prisoners exchanged. Israel ended the most recent ceasefire, which started in January, with a surprise bombardment in March.
Ayman Saber, a Palestinian from Khan Younis, said he plans to return to his home city and try to rebuild his house, which was destroyed last year by an Israeli strike.
“I will rebuild the house, we will rebuild Gaza,” he said.
Story by Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman and Waafa Shurafa, Associated Press
MICROCLIMATE FORECASTS:
Coasts
Inland
Mountains
Deserts
BREAKING OVERNIGHT:
A child was taken to the hospital after a truck crashed into an Encinitas gelato shop Wednesday night.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the collision happened on 480 South Coast Highway 101 at D Street at around 6 p.m.
Sheriff’s officials said a man driving a Chevrolet Silverado rear-ended a 2022 Toyota Prius while traveling north, sending the truck barreling into the Gelato 101 shop.
A child sitting with family members inside the business “was struck and trapped beneath the vehicle,” officials said.
Emergency responders freed the child, who was conscious and breathing at the scene. The child was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital for further treatment and evaluation; the victim’s condition was unknown.
The Silverado’s driver, identified as 64-year-old Edward De La Torre, complained of an injury at the scene and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Sheriff’s officials said De La Torre was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, but the agency did not release any further details on the investigation.
The occupants of the Prius were evaluated at the scene and did not appear to be hurt.
Authorities added that the truck will remain inside the business until a structural engineer can assess the damage and determine the structural integrity of the building.
CONSUMER:
Many Americans are dealing with some type of debt, with data showing household debt at $18.9 trillion in the U.S.
But with the rise in debt comes the spike in calls from debt collectors. A recent report on FTC data shows an increase in debt collection calls across the country compared to in 2024.
Cory Ehrlicher said he has received those calls from debt collectors every day after he racked up more than $16,000 in debt while dealing with a medical condition.
"But the credit card companies themselves … definitely harassed me like a decent amount. I owe them money, so I was kind of like, yeah, I get it. Can you stop though?" he told ABC 10News’ Melissa Mecija.
Ehrlicher ended up getting help from the nonprofit Money Management International to manage his debt. He said his debt is a lot lower now.
"I'm just trying to like improve my credit score right now because it's really low from all this. So, I'm just trying to make my minimums and make a little dent; I'm just now getting on my feet a little bit," he said.
MMI is reminding people that they have the right to ask debt collectors to stop calling them at work or during a time or place that’s inconvenient to you.
Collectors are also not allowed to engage in a way that makes you feel harassed or abused. If they do, you can report it to the state Attorney General or the FTC.
According to MMI, before paying anything, people need to verify the debt and get information like a name, company, address, and other contact information.
More information on handling debt and the collection process can be found at https://www.moneymanagement.org.
WE FOLLOW THROUGH:
After what was considered by many a sub-par harvest in 2024, there is optimism in Julian this season as apples are making a strong return.
WATCH — Reporter Ryan Hill follows through with a Julian orchard owner who is looking forward to this year's apple turnaround:
Thanks for waking up with us! If you have a story you want ABC 10News to follow through on, fill out the form below:
