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Happy Tuesday, Roca Nation. Hope you enjoyed the long weekend. In today’s news:
Madagascar’s President fled the country after weeks of youth-led protests (free)
The White House initiated substantial layoffs as part of the ongoing government shutdown (free)
National Guard troops began patrolling Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday as the Trump Administration continued facing legal challenges to deployments
By Max Frost
“What I am doing now is digging my own grave,” Evyatar David said in a video released this July. “I’m walking directly into my own grave. This is the grave where I think I’m going to be buried. Time is running out.”
“To be released and sleep in my bed with my family…” he said wishfully, then lay his emaciated body down on the dirt.
On Monday, David’s wish was granted.
Evyatar David’s release
As Hamas released the 20 remaining living hostages on Monday, the names were broadcast onto a screen at Hostages Square, the plaza where October 7 victims’ families had been rallying for the last two years. By Monday afternoon local time, the releases were complete.
Speaking in Israel’s parliament, President Trump declared victory.
"This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East," he said. "Generations from now, this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change, and change very much for the better…it will be the golden age of Israel and the golden age of the Middle East."
Meanwhile in Gaza, the bombs had stopped falling. Yet gunshots were still ringing out, including at a hospital in Gaza City, where a battle between Hamas and rival gunmen left 27 people dead.
"This time people weren't fleeing Israeli attacks," one Gaza City resident told the BBC. "They were running from their own people."
As this happened, Trump gathered with other world leaders in Egypt to discuss the question looming over everything: Can the peace be made permanent?
In today’s deep-dive, we look at what happens next: The obstacles to peace, the reasons for hope, and whether this ceasefire will mark a new era in the Middle East or just a brief interlude.
This full report is for paid subscribers, who fund our journalism. If you start a two-week free trial today, you’ll be automatically entered to win a free year. Once you sign up, you can access all of our articles here!
Editor’s Note
Tomorrow we’re going to break down the negotiations further: How did these negotiators produce a deal that eluded President Biden and other leaders? What is the exact logic of its terms? Make sure to become a Roca Member so you don’t miss it.
And find our most recent stories below if you haven’t read them yet:
Stay tuned for more tomorrow.
—Max and Max
