Nearly half of the IRS workforce nearly 34,000 employees faces furloughs as the government shutdown enters its second week, with the agency rolling out a contingency plan to keep key tax enforcement, data security, and filing-season operations running despite the lapse in congressional funding.In a letter to staff Wednesday, the agency said most operations would shut down. The contingency plan, which takes effect Wednesday and runs through April 30, 2026, details how the IRS will operate without new congressional funding.As of July 24, 2025, the IRS employed 74,299 people. During the shutdown, only 39,870 about 54% will stay on duty, though its unclear which positions will be retained.Key operations that will continue to include tax processing to safeguard government revenue, IT and data-protection systems, criminal investigations, case work involving bankruptcies and liens, and disaster-relief support. However, taxpayer services including call centers and most administrative functions not tied to life or property protection will be suspended.ICE VOWS 'NO CHANGE' TO IMMIGRATION, BORDER POLICY AMID GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNThe IRSs Lapse Appropriations Contingency Plan outlined operations for the first five business days of the shutdown and said the agency would continue limited operations using Inflation Reduction Act funding.The furloughs stem from a funding impasse between President Donald Trump and Congress that has forced a government shutdown with no clear resolution.HERE'S WHAT TRUMP WANTS TO DO TO RESHAPE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE SHUTDOWNNational Treasury Employees Union President Doreen Greenwald said the shutdown has cut off Americans from vital IRS services."Expect increased wait times, backlogs and delays implementing tax law changes as the shutdown continues," she said. "Taxpayers around the country will now have a much harder time getting the assistance they need, just as they get ready to file their extension returns due next week. Every day these employees are locked out of work is another day of frustration for taxpayers and a growing backlog of work that sits and waits for the shutdown to end.SEN RICK SCOTT, REP BYRON DONALDS: TRUMPANDBESSENT'S IRS REFORM: LETS END JOB-KILLING POLICIES"For frontline employees, the complete lack of planning left them in the dark about their work status until their supervisor informed them today," Greenwald added. "This is not the way our government should treat its dedicated, nonpartisan public servants. We urge the administration and Congress to reach an agreement that reopens government and restores the services that Americans need and deserve."According to The Associated Press, the IRS told employees they would receive back pay once the shutdown ends. The Trump administration warned Tuesday that back pay for furloughed federal employees is not guaranteed.Earlier this year, the IRS began a series of workforce reductions that brought total employment down from about 100,000 at the end of 2024 to roughly 75,000 before the shutdown.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

New York Liberty player Natasha Cloud made unsubstantiated claims that American taxpayers pay for free healthcare for Israeli citizens while weighing in on the current U.S. government shutdown on Tuesday, the two-year mark of the Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel."Happy Tuesday. Our government is shut down because Republicans want to take hardworking Americans healthcare. ISRAEL has free healthcare. Paid for by none other than THE US TAX PAYERS. Like what tf are we actually talking about?" Cloud wrote on X.Israel has its own universal healthcare system funded by a national income tax and an income-related health tax paid by its residents. However, some U.S. aid does indirectly impact Israel's healthcare sector, primarily through military aid and smaller, targeted grants for medical equipment.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMMeanwhile, Senate Democrats blocked Republicans bid to reopen the government for a sixth time on Wednesday as pressure and threats from the White House increased. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have made the fight to reopen the government about healthcare, specifically through the blunt instrument of expiring tax credits under Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Cloud's post garnered criticism and fact checking on social media.SENATE STALLS ON SHUTDOWN VOTE AMID WARNING FURLOUGHED WORKERS MAY LOSE PAYCloud has garnered controversy over the last year for expressing left-leaning opinions on social media.Cloud made several controversial posts following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the arrest of the alleged assassin Tyler Robinson last month. Cloud even deleted an X post that prompted backlash, in which she made presumptions about the alleged killer's family's political beliefs."So how y'all gone twist this? Raised in a good middle class family, dad was an officer/church leader, whole family of Republicans and gun owners [and] Trump supporters," Cloud said in the deleted post.Cloud left several other controversial posts remaining on her feed. One post made the unsubstantiated assertion that Robinson was a "far-right Republican.""Tyler Robinson and his parents were Republicans. FAR RIGHT REPUBLICANS," Cloud wrote.Cloud also left a post on her feed that contained a racially-charged comment about Robinson and connected the assassination to recent threats against historically Black colleges and universities. The FBI, in a statement at the time, said it is "aware of hoax threat calls" to HBCUs."So why were y'all threatening HBCUs when it was a 22-year-old white boy from Utah who shot Charlie? Racism. Not politics. Racism. Difference in policy is you giving tax cuts to billionaires. Y'all dumb but I digress. Your hatred for other people is not politics," Cloud wrote.In July, she made controversial comments about President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Cloud, who has been a vocal supporter of socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, praised the candidate while warning Trump against sending ICE to the city."Mamdani, my boy!" she told reporters after a New York Liberty practice."If Donny wants to come down here, if ICE wants to try and come down here, that's fine."But [they're] going to learn the hard way New Yorkers really don't f--- around. They don't play about one another. The don't play about this city."Cloud went on to deliver a lengthy rant about her support for socialism and belief that Trump's opposition is "getting to them.""I just think that it's reckless of our president, reckless of this administration, but it's also exciting for us, the people, because that's when you know we're getting to them,"In June, she seemingly reacted to the U.S. militarys strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, writing on X, "A sad sad day," and "Grounds for impeachment."In February, Cloud responded to President Donald Trumps decision to eliminate several government DEI programs."The systems of power are working as they always were intended to work," Cloud told The Associated Press. "And its time to break down a system that has only been about White men."Cloud and the Liberty's season ended on Sept. 19 when they were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs in the first round against the Phoenix Mercury.Fox News Digital's Alex Miller contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

With Joe Flacco getting traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, it seemed obvious the Cleveland Browns would move Shedeur Sanders up the depth chart to back up Dillon Gabriel at the quarterback position heading into Week 6.That was until head coach Kevin Stefanski refused to confirm that on Wednesday during his press conference.Stefanski was asked if Sanders would be his "number two" behind Gabriel heading into their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"Well, first Id tell you is the Joe trade took us by surprise," Stefanski began. "That was not something that we saw coming. You know, they called us, and it happened very fast, and happened not too long ago. So, still working through all roster types of things. I always have to be mindful of our players, and our players' development and I want to make sure that Im always doing whats best for our players and, of course, our team. But with young players, Im always thinking about last week, making the change to Dillon (Gabriel)."You have to think long and hard about that, because these are young players that youre so invested in their development. So, Ill let the week play out and make a decision later on."BROWNS' SHEDEUR SANDERS REACTS TO JOE FLACCO TRADE: 'IM JUST HAPPY FOR HIM'So, there is still a chance that Sanders is promoted to backup quarterback. But the Browns also have practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe on their depth chart. Based off Stefanskis answer, Zappe could also be considered for the backup role.Stefanski referred to Zappe as the "elder statesman right now" given his history of starting games for the New England Patriots. He also mentioned that Deshaun Watson is also providing some leadership despite not being able to play this season.Stefanski made the move last week to have Gabriel, who was taken two rounds ahead of Sanders back in April, make his first NFL start in London against the Minnesota Vikings. Flacco had thrown two touchdowns and six interceptions through four games as Cleveland went 1-3 over that span, leading to a quarterback change.Gabriel threw two touchdowns in his first start, but the Vikings rallied late to beat the Browns, 21-17, as Cleveland fell to 1-4. But, even with his benching, Flacco was the backup during the London game as Sanders remained the third-string quarterback on the depth chart.Stefanski did, however, say hes been pleased with his young signal callers and how theyre improving."This is not a group that you have to prod into doing extra, whether thats in the weight room, in the meeting room, out on the fields," he explained. "We are really pushing these guys to improve, and I see that from Shedeur, I see that from all these young guys, which is the fun part for us as coaches- to see a lot of the work that youre putting in thats showing up and how these guys are performing."Sanders himself has not vocally commented on being stuck at third string last week, as he pantomimed when asked about it instead. He did react to the Flacco trade, though."Im just happy for him," Sanders said. Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

POLICY SHIFT On Monday, California's largest high school district based on enrollment and land area voted 3-2 to adopt a Title IX resolution that would only allow female students in girls' sports. Continue reading GENDER DEBATE In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kern High School District (KHSD) trustee Derek Tisinger defended the passage of a resolution opposing the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls sports, citing Title IX and a volleyball forfeit. Continue reading CASE CLOSED Track and field Olympian Caster Semenya has ended a seven-year legal challenge against sex eligibility rules in the sport, the athlete's attorney, Patrick Bracher told The Associated Press. Continue reading DEFAMATION FIGHT A countersuit filed by the New York Jets alleged that a former team finance executive "participated in an unlawful conspiracy to falsely accuse team President Hymie Elhai of sexual harassment solely for the purpose of destroying his impeccable reputation and career," according to ESPN. Continue reading PUSHING BACK Cathy Engelbert asserted there were numerous "inaccuracies" in the comments attributed to her by Napheesa Collier. The WNBA commissioner also denied saying Caitlin Clark and other star players "should be on their knees" and thankful for the platform theyve been given. Continue reading QB SHUFFLE The Bengals seem to have found a temporary solution to their quarterback issues. The team turned to their AFC North rivals, the Browns, who sent veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco to Cincinnati in exchange for a draft pick. Continue reading SOUTH LAWN SHOWDOWN President Donald Trump announced the UFC White House event will take place on June 14. UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer said it was an "honor" to have the opportunity to step inside the Octagon on the South Lawn. Continue reading FROM FOX SPORTS Aaron Judge credited the spirits of former Yankees greats when the slugger was asked about how arguably one of the most important home runs of his career managed to avoid foul territory. Continue reading FROM OUTKICK Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon was fined $100,000 by the team just days after a sideline altercation with running back Emari Demercado, according to multiple reports. Continue reading WATCH NOW After dropping their first game of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles held a players-only meeting. FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd asks if Jalen Hurts made the right move by downplaying the meeting and questions if bigger issues or on the horizon. Watch here FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterLinkedInFox News FirstFox News OpinionFox News LifestyleFox News HealthFox BusinessFox WeatherFox SportsTubiFox News GoOutKickSign up for OutKick's daily newsletterFox Nation

Darius Rucker is officially an engaged man after keeping his relationship under wraps.The 59-year-old "Wagon Wheel" singer shared that he is engaged to Emily Deahl in a joint Instagram post shared on Wednesday."Thank you for showing me a level of happiness I have never known," he wrote in the caption. "The day I met you I knew I didnt want to go another one without you. Now I dont have to."The Instagram post featured a black-and-white photo of the couple, showing Rucker kneeling on one knee from behind, as Deahl looks down at him with a big smile on her face. They seem to be dressed casually, with Deahl wearing a black sweater and styling her hair in a ponytail.KELSEA BALLERINI POSTS SEPTEMBER INSTAGRAM DUMP FEATURING BIKINI PHOTOS AND MOUNTAIN ADVENTURESFans of the singer couldn't help but congratulate the couple on their relationship milestone, with one writing, "Great to see 2 people find happiness. Its so hard nowadays. Congrats!" Another fan wrote, "So incredibly happy for the both of you.""So happy for youHaving someone whos truly in your corner and having that real love, theres nothing like it! Congratulations ," another added.APP USERS CLICK HERE FOR POSTAnother photo showed the happy couple hugging after the engagement, with Rucker giving Deahl a kiss on the cheek as she smiled at the camera.Deahl also celebrated the engagement on her Instagram stories, confirming her relationship with the former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman for the first time.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"I never intended on keeping this part of my life from you guys for so long, but somewhere along the way of loving him I discovered how sacred love is to me. And all I wanted to do was protect it," she wrote on her Instagram story. "Damn I'm glad I don't have to spend the time photoshopping him out of every photo now."Rucker only recently hinted he was in a relationship, posting a selfie of him and Deahl in Las Vegas on social media, captioning the post, "Wizard of Oz at @spherevegas with my love & my boys. 1000/10!!!!!"The singer was previously married to Beth Leonard, for nearly 20 years, from 2000 to 2020. Over the course of their marriage, the couple welcomed two children together, daughter Daniella, 24, and son Jack, 20. He also shared daughter Carolyn, 30, with his ex, Elizabeth Ann Phillips.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERFollowing their split, Rucker spoke with People in October 2023, saying that while there were hard times, he and Leonard remain "close friends and parenting partners.""That stuff hurts and you feel like a failure," he said. "But were still a familya piece of paper is not going to change that. Were still a family, and thats all because Beth is awesome. She knows its the best for the kids, and shes a great human being."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Ridley Scott claimed Hollywood is "drowning in mediocrity" as he can't find a well-made movie these days.The "Blade Runner" and "Gladiator" director claimed he has to watch his own movies to be entertained by a film."The quantity of movies that are made today, literally globally millions," Scott said, according to Metro. "Not thousands, millions and most of it is s---."RUSSELL CROWE ALMOST QUIT 'GLADIATOR' BECAUSE THE SCRIPT WAS 'ABSOLUTE RUBBISH'Scott does not have a go-to comfort movie, instead finding his own films haven't aged."Well, actually, right now, Im finding mediocrity were drowning in mediocrity," he said. "And so what I do its a horrible thing but Ive started watching my own movies, and actually theyre pretty good! And also, they dont age.""I watched Black Hawk' the other night and I thought, How in the h--- did I manage to do that? But I think occasionally a good one will happen, [and] its like a relief that theres somebody out there whos doing a good movie."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSScott began his career in the 1970s, taking on films such as "The Duellists" and "Alien."The success of "Alien" and later "Blade Runner" cemented his status as a sci-fi film director.He ventured into other storylines with "Gladiator," "Thelma & Louise" and "Black Hawk Down." Scott has received multiple Academy Award nominations with "Gladiator" taking home best picture in 2001.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERScott said Joaquin Phoenix nearly refused to play his villainous role, Commodus, in the 2000 action film."He was in his princes outfit saying, I cant do it. I said, What?" he recalled in an interview with The New York Times.The British director was able to convince Phoenix to stay on set."I can act as a big brother or dad," he explained, talking about his approach to keeping the actor in his role. "But Im quite a friend of Joaquins. Gladiator was a baptism of fire for both of us in the beginning."

The NCAA Division I Administrative Committee voted in favor of a proposal that paves the way for athletes to place wagers on professional sports.The proposal still has to receive clearance from Division II and III before it can go into effect. Those panels are expected to vote on the matter during their meetings later this month.If the proposal gains final approval, the change could take effect as early as Nov. 1. However, collegiate athletes would continue to be barred from gambling on college sports.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXBUSINESS.COM"The Administrative Committee was clear in its discussion today that it remains concerned about the risks associated with all forms of sports gambling, but ultimately voted to reduce restrictions on student-athletes in this area to better align with their campus peers," Illinois athletic director and committee chair Josh Whitman said.NCAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS BANNED FOR BETTING ON THEIR OWN GAMES"This change allows the NCAA, the conferences and the member schools to focus on protecting the integrity of college games while, at the same time, encouraging healthy habits for student-athletes who choose to engage in betting activities on professional sports."The NCAA also prohibits sharing information about college competitions with bettors. The institution also doesnt allow advertising and sponsorships of NCAA championships by betting sites.Despite the potential change, the committee emphasized that it doesnt endorse betting on sports particularly for student-athletes."Division I members are actively working to deregulate NCAA rules where possible, and the Division I Board of Directors remains focused on preserving rules that directly speak to the fairness of college sports competition and the academic successes of college athletes," Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said. "While NCAA members do not encourage student-athletes to engage in sports betting behaviors of any kind, the timing is right to modernize these rules by removing prohibitions against betting on professional sports and focusing on harm reduction strategies for behaviors that do not impact college sports directly."The change comes as NCAA enforcement caseloads involving sports betting violations have increased in recent years.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Minnesota's education agencies face a deadline Friday from the U.S. Department of Education to change its trans athlete policies. Now, more than 40 school board members from districts across the state have now openly supported complying with the DOE as the deadline nears.The school board members penned a letter to state leaders in Saint Paul earlier this week Education Commissioner Willie Jett, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and executive director of the Minnesota State High School League Erich Martens urging them to comply with President Donald Trump's administration on the issue."How are we protecting all students in our district. So, whether its in the locker rooms or on the playing field," wrote Lisa Atkinson, a member of the Prior Lake Savage Area Schools Board. "As school districts, we cannot risk the loss in funding. Its really that important to us. This is an opportunity for our state to figure out a way to put in policies that really protect all students."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe board members also expressed anxiety over federal funding cuts "that would adversely affect educational programs, extracurricular activities and resources for over 875,000 students statewide."Trump's Feb. 5 "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order states that schools who allow biological males to compete in girls' sports will be subject to federal funding freezes.Ellison, who has been a staunch supporter of trans athletes in girls' sports and has even filed a lawsuit against Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice for its recent Title IX enforcement efforts, responded to the letter in a statement."School sports arent just a good way to get exercise, they help kids build friendships, make them feel like they belong, and teach them important life lessons, like how to work as a team, how to treat their competition with respect, and how to win with grace and lose with dignity. Letting the very small number of transgender students in Minnesota play on their school sports teams doesn't harm anyone, but segregating them does. Exclusion is a violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which has protected the rights of trans kids to participate in all extracurricular activities for decades," Ellison said, via Fox 9."I too am concerned about the Trump Administrations threats to cut education funding for kids across Minnesota, but this matter is before the court right now. The federal government's threats violate the U.S. Constitution, Minnesota law, and Title IX itself. Im fighting to prevent these harmful cuts, stop the Administration's bullying of transgender kids who just want to live their lives in peace, and protect the rights and freedoms of all our students in Minnesota."INSIDE GAVIN NEWSOM'S TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL CRISISMeanwhile, multiple girls' athletes have taken action to try and push their state to change its policies as well.Three anonymous girls' softball players have filed a lawsuit against state agencies after having to face a trans pitcher from Champlin Park High School last season. The trans pitcher, Marissa Rothenberger, led Champlin Park to a state championship in the spring, with one of the best playoff stat lines in all of Minnesota."Its really upsetting to know that [Ellison] isnt taking rights of girls and women seriously. He is allowing boys to compete with girls, and it is not safe and completely unfair. To know that AG Ellison is in complete support of letting boys and men take advantage of females in sports is absolutely disgusting and wrong," one anonymous player previously told Fox News Digital.Meanwhile, former White Bear Lake High School softball player Kendall Kotzmacher has publicly spoken out against the state and Gov. Tim Walz for letting males play in girls' sports, especially after Walz himself coached high school football decades ago, and saw the physical prowess of male athletes up-close."As a coach, you should see the differences and the vast difference that there are between biological males and biological females," Kotzmacher told Fox News Digital.The state legislature failed to pass a bill that would have banned trans athletes from girls' sports, the "Preserving Girls' Sports Act," back in March. It fell one vote shy of advancing to Walz's desk. Meanwhile, state lawmaker Rep. Liish Kozlowski, who identifies as "non-binary," called the bill "another version of state-sanctioned bullying and genocide."Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Actor Jeff Bridges briefly reprized his role as "The Dude" from the movie "The Big Lebowski" in what turned into an attack against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Tuesday night.While promoting his latest film, "Tron: Ares," the 75-year-old actor was asked about his iconic role from the 1998 film. Kimmel prompted Bridges to "summon the Dude" to share some "words of wisdom" for the current times.In response, Bridges donned a cardigan and held a White Russian cocktail as he addressed the audience.KIM KARDASHIAN CONDEMNS TRUMP ICE RAIDS TARGETING PEOPLE WHO 'BUILD OUR COUNTRY'"Hey, world. The Dude here," Bridges said. "Can we just all calm the f--- down? I mean, come on, Im talking about all the wars, the fighting, the cancelling, I mean, lets just chill out man, come on. Tone it down. Were at like, what, a nine? We ought to be at zero. Or zero and a half max, right?"Bridges then turned his attention to the ICE operations across the country, saying they need to get "off our streets.""ICE! Lets get ICE off our streets and into our beverages. This aggression will not stand, right? So lets just abide together. Yes, we can do this. Now thats just, like, my opinion, but its a good one, dont you think?" Bridges said."Thats a pretty great opinion," Kimmel agreed. "Thank you, Dude."In a comment to Fox News Digital, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin joked she "had to Google" who Jeff Bridges was and called his comments about ICE "disgusting."JOHN LEGUIZAMO TORCHES DEAN CAIN AS A 'LOSER' FOR JOINING ICE, BUT SUPERMAN ACTOR OFFERS GENTLE REPLY"The media, sanctuary politicians, and Hollywood elites must stop demonizing our brave law enforcement who are having terrorists shoot at them, cars being used a weapons against them, online doxing of their families, and even bounties placed on their heads by criminal gangs. Knock it off before you get someone killed," McLaughlin said."Jeff Bridges hasnt been relevant since the 20th century. It makes complete sense that low-ratings loser Jimmy Kimmel would have Jeff Bridges on his show to cope with their Trump Derangement Syndrome," White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston also told Fox News Digital when reached for comment.Bridges is among several Hollywood celebrities who have spoken out against ICE operations, particularly the raids in Los Angeles.Kimmel, who tapes his show in Los Angeles, also gave a monologue against ICE raids and President Donald Trump in June.LATIN MUSIC ICON BAD BUNNY RECORDS ICE OPERATIONS, CALLS AGENTS SONS OF B-------"Im very angry," Kimmel said. "I have to say, I cannot believe whats going on. I knew it was gonna be bad. I did not know it was gonna be this bad People whove lived here their whole lives, people whove been in this city longer than I have, the vast majority of whom have never done anything wrong, are being abducted, which is the correct word to use, by agents in masks, hiding their identities; grabbing people off the street and at work and sending people to detention centers."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHe continued, "And to protest that, which is not only our right as Americans, its our responsibility. Los Angelenos have been gathering to demonstrate, and with very few exceptions, peacefully demonstrate, to voice their opposition to this disgusting and unnecessary abuse of power instigated by our mentally ill President, who is dead set on exacerbating this."

Hamas has agreed to a peace deal pushed by President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza and return the hostages, two years after the terrorist network attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, sparking not only the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust, but a deadly war and a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to make the announcement: "I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!"Moments before the president's announcement, photos emerged from the negotiation room in Sharm el-Sheikh showing senior officials embracing and shaking hands as reports indicated significant progress toward a hostage release deal. Retired General Nitzan Alon was seen shaking hands with Qatars Prime Minister Al-Thani, with special envoy Witkoff in the background. On the other side, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and other senior officials appeared smiling. An Israeli source said preparations are underway for an official announcement of the agreement, while other officials expect it to be signed as early as Thursday. Israeli media reported Israel and the terror group will sign the deal Thursday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.TRUMP UNVEILS 20-POINT PLAN TO SECURE PEACE IN GAZA, INCLUDING GRANTING SOME HAMAS MEMBERS 'AMNESTY'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, "With Gods help, we will bring them all home." Netanyahu added in a statement in Hebrew: "A great day for Israel. Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home. I thank the heroic soldiers of the IDF and all the security forces thanks to their courage and sacrifice we have reached this day. I thank from the bottom of my heart President Trump and his team for mobilizing for this sacred mission of freeing our hostages. With Gods help, together we will continue to achieve all our objectives and expand peace with our neighbors."The terrorist organization Hamas announced in an official statement, "After responsible and serious negotiations conducted by the movement and the Palestinian resistance factions regarding President Trumps proposal in Sharm el-Sheikh, with the aim of ending the war of extermination against our Palestinian people and the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, Hamas announces the reaching of an agreement that ends the war on Gaza, provides for the withdrawal of the occupation, allows the entry of aid and implements a prisoner exchange."We greatly appreciate the efforts of the mediators in Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, and thank U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts to bring about a final end to the war and the full withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip. We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and all Arab, Islamic and international parties to oblige the government of the occupation to fulfill all the agreements commitments, and not to allow it to evade or delay implementation of the accords."Dr. Majed al-Ansari, Spokesperson for Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on X: "The mediators announce that an agreement was reached tonight on all terms and mechanisms for implementing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to stopping the war, releasing Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners, and allowing aid to enter."According to Israeli officials, the living hostages are expected to be released in a single phase within 72 hours. The return of the bodies of deceased hostages will take longer, but Israel insists on their inclusion in the deal. Hamas, reportedly backed by some Israeli sources, claims that part of the delay stems from the fact that some of the bodies are not located in areas under its control.Following Trumps announcement, the hostages families headquarters released a statement: "The hostages families wish to express deep gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and his team for the leadership and determination that led to this historic breakthrough: an end to the war and a comprehensive agreement to return all the hostages. There are 48 hostages in Hamas captivity. Our moral and national commitment is to bring them all home, both alive and fallen alike. Their return is a condition for the rehabilitation and revival of Israeli society as a whole. We will not rest or be quiet until the return of the last hostage. We will bring them back. We will rise."KUSHNER JOINS WITKOFF FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE TALKS AS TRUMP PUSHES PEACE PLAN: 'CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week agreed to the U.S.s 20-point plan that would see the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of all 48 hostages still held, 21 of whom are still assessed to be alive, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.The exact terms of the agreement which Israeli and Hamas negotiators traveled to Egypt to hash out on Monday remain unclear. Though under the original agreement, Hamas would have to completely disarm in exchange for Israels military operation to end, more humanitarian aid for Palestinians would be pushed into the enclave, and planning the reconstruction of Gaza could begin.Hamas, under the terms, would also have been granted "amnesty" for those who willingly give up their arms, and once all the hostages have been returned,Israel would release "250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after Oct. 7th, 2023."All the hostages were also supposed to be freed within 72-hours of an agreement being reached though Hamas on Saturday signaled this may be unrealistic as it claims some of the deceased are believed to be buried under rubble.Hamas appeared to agree to part of the original terms presented by the Trump administration. But it also signaled over the weekend that it had concerns over its disarmament and the trustworthiness of Israel not to re-engage with its military ambitions once the hostages are returned.AS TRUMPS GAZA DEAL NEARS, FAMILY WARNS ISRAEL NOT TO FREE ANOTHER SINWARSpecifics on various aspects of the original deal remain ambiguous, including on the international "Board of Peace" that would be headed by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to oversee Gazas administration and reconstruction.Trump saidlast week that "leaders from other countries" would be named to the board later.The 20-point blueprint also said that Gaza Strip for the foreseeable future "will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza."The plan, which has been backed by Middle Eastern and Arab nations, was presented to Hamas late last month by mediators from Qatar and Egypt.Though both nations along with several new Western nations making up 157 of the 193 UN member states support Palestinian statehood, the plan did not directly pave a path for how that could be accomplished.A separate panel of experts, "who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East," would develop an economic reconstruction plan.NETANYAHU APOLOGIZED FOR AIRSTRIKES DURING 'HEART-TO-HEART' WITH QATARI LEADER, TRUMP SAYSDespite previous concerns over comments made by Trump and his administration, no one would be forced to leave under the U.S.'s latest plan, which also prevents Israel from annexing Gaza.Instead, according to the terms of the deal released last week by the White House, "We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza."Trump warned that if Hamas did not agree to the deal, Israel would have the full backing of the U.S. to carry out its operational plans in Gaza.