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Israel, Hamas agree to pause fighting
First phase also would include release of live hostages BY SAMY MAGDY, SAM MEDNICK and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in Gaza and release at least some hostages and prisoners in an agreement that was put forward by the Trump administration and would represent the biggest breakthrough in months in the devastating two-year-old war. “This means that ALL of the Hos-
tages 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,” President Donald Trump wrote on social media. “All Parties will be treated fairly!” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Hamas said it had agreed to a deal that will lead to the end of the war in Gaza, the
withdrawal of Israeli troops, the entry of aid into Gaza and the exchange of prisoners for hostages. Hamas called on Trump and the mediators to ensure that Israel implements all the provisions of the deal “without disavowal or delay in implementation of what was agreed upon.” Hamas plans to release all 20 living hostages this weekend, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal
from the majority of Gaza. While many questions remain, the sides appear to be closer than they have been in several months to ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed most of Gaza and triggered other armed conflicts across the Middle East. The war has sparked worldwide protests and brought widespread allegations of genocide that Israel denies. Israel is more isolated than it has been in decades and bitterly
divided over the failure to return the hostages. The Palestinians’ dream of an independent state appears more remote than ever despite recent moves by major Western countries to recognize one. The deal was solidified in Egypt after days of negotiations centered on a Trump-backed peace plan that he hopes will ultimately result in a permanent end to the war and bring about a sustainable peace in the region. The arrival of Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the president’s son-in-law, Jared
ä See PEACE, page 4A
Former UL president pulled from Cajundome appointment Interim university leader to name himself to panel
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By LESLIE WESTBROOK
A 3D model of the completed project is on display during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Louisiana Army National Guard Lafayette Readiness Center, a nearly $37.5 million project.
National Guard breaks ground on Lafayette Readiness Center
tical requirements for the Facility will Louisiana Army National Officials say the new provide space for Guard. facility will significantly imtraining, storage prove readiness for soldiers
BY JA’KORI MADISON Staff writer
The Louisiana National Guard broke ground Wednesday on a new Lafayette Readiness Center, a facility designed to enhance the Guard’s preparedness for emergency response. The 83,000-square-foot center, at 2350 West Congress St., will be used for training and to meet logis-
and units operating in the Lafayette area. “The 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has such a strong presence in Lafayette, and it’s really important for us to have a new facility where our soldiers can train and recruit,” said Lt. Col. Noel Collins, director of public affairs. Currently, the 256th Brigade, along with other units or soldiers, is housed at the
From left, Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet; Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, the Louisiana adjutant general; and Ramesh Kolluru, vice president for research, innovation, and economic development at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, chat during Wednesday’s groundbreaking ä See READINESS, page 4A ceremony.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s president’s office called hours before a Lafayette City Council meeting Tuesday to request that the council defer its announcement of former UL President E. Joseph Savoie being named to an indefinite term on the Cajundome Commission. The position will instead go to UL’s interim President Jaimie Hebert, Lafayette Hebert Consolidated Government Council Clerk Joseph Gordon-Wiltz announced during the City Council meeting. The announcement that Savoie would be appointed to the position was reported earlier Tuesday by the Acadiana Advocate. Savoie Hebert’s announcement is expected to be revisited at the Oct. 21 council meeting. Savoie previously held a position on the commission and awaited reappointment, Eric Maron, a university spokesperson, wrote in a statement. Savoie’s predecessor, Ray P. Authement, also once had a position on the commission. “Though (Hebert) initially intended to reappoint Dr. Savoie to the commission, interim president Dr. Jaimie Hebert decided, upon further reflection, to continue that tradition,” Maron wrote. One question in particular, posed by
ä See CAJUNDOME, page 4A
Legislators changing plans for upcoming special session
the congressional maps,” said Sen. islation. Redrawing new congressional map faces uncertain timeline Caleb Kleinpeter, R-West Baton Gov. Jeff Landry had more am-
BY TYLER BRIDGES
Instead, they likely will only move back the election schedStaff writer ule to ensure that candidates for State legislators appear to have House and Senate elections next dropped plans to redraw boundar- year won’t have to qualify for their ies for Louisiana’s six congressio- races before the U.S. Supreme nal districts when they convene in Court issues its ruling in a muchanticipated Voting Rights Act case. a special session on Oct. 23.
WEATHER HIGH 89 LOW 70 PAGE 6A
That ruling could lead to a new map, so lawmakers want to make sure that candidate qualifying for the primary elections would occur afterward. “We are likely to address only the closed primary dates and wait on the Supreme Court ruling for
Rouge. Legislative leaders have agreed that the Senate will take the lead in moving the main bill that they tackle during the upcoming special session. It will be heard by the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee that Kleinpeter chairs, and he will likely sponsor the leg-
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bitious plans when he notified legislators two months ago that he planned to call them into a special session beginning on Oct. 23. Then, he told them, he wanted lawmakers to pass a new congressional map contingent on the Supreme
ä See SESSION, page 4A
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