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What recent developments are there in the Gaza conflict?
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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Trump says the whole world has come together to support the latest plan to end the war in Gaza. He says hostages should be getting out early next week, and the president is planning a trip to the region as well, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
In the first phase of the deal, Hamas and other militants would release all of the hostages they've been holding since their attack on Israel two years ago. Israel would pull back, let in aid, and release Palestinian prisoners. President Trump says the hostages should be getting out Monday or Tuesday.
And that'll be a day of joy. I'm going to try and make a trip over. We're going to try and get over there. And we're working on the timing.
Trump says he plans to go to Egypt where the deal was reached. He's also been invited to speak to the Israeli parliament and says he hopes this will be a first step toward a lasting peace. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.
One popular national park is fully reopened this week despite the federal government shutdown, which is now in its ninth day. As Pierce Gentry with member station WUOT reports, local governments near Great Smoky Mountains National Park came up with the money to keep it fully staffed.
Seven local governments and one non-profit in the region have partnered to commit nearly $2 million to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to help keep staff paid and popular destinations such as Cades Cove open for visitors. Sevier County is home to a significant portion of the park and fronted much of the money. Here's Vice Mayor Brian McCarter.
If that place is not open, the perception amongst a lot of folks is, well, then Sevier County must be closed. And so we have to make sure that that opens to drive that economy.
The National Park Service estimates the park was responsible for nearly $3 billion of investment in surrounding communities during 2024. McCarter says they can keep this up for about a month and hope to get their money back once the federal government reopens. For NPR News, I'm Pierce Gentry.
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