The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes action
On Oct. 8, Donald Trump announced Israel and Hamas’ agreement to the first phase of his 20-point plan, including three stages each 42 days long, to end the war in Gaza. The ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10 with increased humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip. On Oct. 13, Hamas returned the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages into the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which then returned them to Israel. In exchange, Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,718 detainees. The Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7, 2023 and is in the process of de-escalating two years later, as the 20-point plan states the war will be put to an end if both sides agree.
News outlets reject new Pentagon press policies
At least 30 news organizations announced their rejection of the Pentagon’s new press policy before the Oct. 14 deadline. The policy was instituted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and prohibits journalists from reporting on information not authorized by the Department of War. Broadcast networks that did not comply were required to turn in their Pentagon press badges and clear out their workspaces. On that day, NBC News shared a statement with four other news outlets. “We will continue to cover the U.S. military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press,” NBC News said. On Oct. 15, around 50 journalists handed in their badges and exited the Pentagon building, according to AP News.
Trump advocates for deployment of troops in Illinois
The Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court to allow the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois on Oct. 17. This was in response to District Court Judge April Perry’s rejection of Donald Trump’s request on Oct. 9. Trump invoked Title 10, a law that protects immigration enforcement troops and calls them into service in the case of rebellion against the government. The Trump administration has asserted that Illinois satisfies these Title 10 conditions, however a judge panel from the Court of Appeals decided that Trump’s actions cannot be justified. Trump’s advocacy to deploy troops in Illinois has escalated disputes with Democratic governors over the military and sparked protests in several cities.
