Thousands protest in Cuba to celebrate Gaza ceasefire
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Thousands of people rallied in Havana, Cuba, in support of the Gaza Strip and to celebrate the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Thursday.
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Protesters fill the Anti-Imperialist Tribune in Havana, Cuba, on October 9, 2025 (Social media)
Thousands of Cubans took to the streets of Havana to celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance and the Israeli occupation, expressing strong solidarity with the people of Gaza.
According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Cuba, demonstrators filled the Anti-Imperialist Tribune, located directly in front of the US embassy, in a scene that embodied Cuba’s revolutionary commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Wafica Ibrahim, director of Al Mayadeen Español, who reported from the protest site, described the event as “a deeply emotional moment that reflects the Cuban people’s profound love for the Palestinian people.” She added that “this wave of solidarity will continue to grow in the coming days, as the Cuban people never tire of defending Palestine and its just cause.”
Ceasefire agreement reached
The ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect at noon local time, though Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported that Israeli warplanes renewed their bombardment shortly after it took hold.
Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 12 quoted sources from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office as saying that “the ceasefire will only come into effect once it is approved by the government later today.”
The political breakthrough was reached overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, October 8–9, when Hamas announced a comprehensive deal to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza, ensure the withdrawal of occupation forces, allow humanitarian aid into the enclave, and facilitate a prisoner exchange.
Phase one of Trump's Gaza deal takes effect
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that “Israel” and Hamas agreed to implement the first phase of his proposed 'peace' plan for the Gaza Strip, following indirect negotiations held in Egypt earlier this week.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, "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."
A source familiar with the agreement told Reuters on Thursday that the signing of the first stage of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan is expected to take place at noon on Thursday (09:00 GMT).
Ceasefire details
A senior Hamas official confirmed that the movement would release 20 Israeli captives in exchange for the release of more than 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 detained since the start of the war on Gaza two years ago.
A Palestinian source familiar with the talks told AFP that the exchange is expected to take place within 72 hours of the deal’s implementation, adding that “the agreement has been approved by all Palestinian factions.”
According to the source, the agreement, set to be formally signed in Cairo at noon on Thursday (09:00 GMT), also stipulates the entry of at least 400 aid trucks into Gaza each day “during the first five days after the ceasefire begins.”
The source said the number of trucks “will increase in the coming days” and that forcibly displaced Palestinians from southern Gaza will be allowed to return to Gaza City and the northern areas as soon as the ceasefire takes effect.
