{"id":54385,"date":"2025-10-11T10:38:45","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T14:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/"},"modified":"2025-10-11T10:38:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T14:38:45","slug":"global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Developments: Gaza Returns Amid Ceasefire, Serbia&#8217;s Gas Deal Woes, and HUD Layoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/#Gaza_Ceasefire_Sparks_Mass_Returns_and_Aid_Efforts\" >Gaza Ceasefire Sparks Mass Returns and Aid Efforts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/#Serbia_Disappointed_by_Russias_Short-Term_Gas_Offer\" >Serbia Disappointed by Russia&#39;s Short-Term Gas Offer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/#HUD_Faces_Major_Layoffs_Amid_Workforce_Optimization\" >HUD Faces Major Layoffs Amid Workforce Optimization<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/#Hamas_Firm_on_Weapons_Stance_in_Ceasefire_Deal\" >Hamas Firm on Weapons Stance in Ceasefire Deal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/global-developments-gaza-returns-amid-ceasefire-serbias-gas-deal-woes-and-hud-layoffs\/54385\/#Prisoner_Exchange_Progresses_as_Khalil_al-Hayya_Signs_List\" >Prisoner Exchange Progresses as Khalil al-Hayya Signs List<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Over 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza<\/strong> following a recent ceasefire, amidst urgent calls for humanitarian aid to address a declared famine and widespread destruction.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed &quot;deep disappointment&quot; with Russia&#39;s offer of a short-term gas deal<\/strong> extending only until the end of the year, falling short of Serbia&#39;s expectation for a three-year agreement.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is undergoing significant staff reductions<\/strong>, with layoff notices issued to employees investigating housing discrimination as part of a broader plan to cut 50% of its workforce.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hamas maintains its refusal to surrender weapons<\/strong>, despite agreeing to a &quot;freeze&quot; in their use under the new US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal, asserting that disarmament is only possible with a fully-fledged Palestinian state and national army.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, has signed a list of Palestinian prisoners &quot;modified by Israel&quot;<\/strong> for release as part of the Gaza agreement, which also involves the exchange of Israeli hostages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gaza_Ceasefire_Sparks_Mass_Returns_and_Aid_Efforts\"><\/span>Gaza Ceasefire Sparks Mass Returns and Aid Efforts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>More than <strong>500,000 displaced Palestinians<\/strong> have returned to the northern Gaza Strip since the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, according to the Civil Defense in Gaza, as quoted by AFP. The United Nations also reported nearly half a million people returning to northern areas, with this significant movement occurring over the past 72 hours via the Al-Rashid and Salah Al-Din roads. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, paused a 15-month conflict that has caused widespread devastation.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the returns, humanitarian conditions remain dire. A famine was declared in Gaza on August 22 by the UN, with experts warning that <strong>500,000 people faced a &quot;catastrophic&quot; threat<\/strong>. Residents in Gaza City urgently need water, kitchen supplies, bedding, and cleaning items. In response, the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs confirmed that Israel has approved the delivery of <strong>170,000 tonnes of aid<\/strong> under a response plan for the initial 60 days of the truce.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Serbia_Disappointed_by_Russias_Short-Term_Gas_Offer\"><\/span>Serbia Disappointed by Russia&#39;s Short-Term Gas Offer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Serbian President <strong>Aleksandar Vucic<\/strong> expressed &quot;very disappointed&quot; with Russia&#39;s decision to offer a gas supply deal only until the end of the year, following months of negotiations for a longer agreement. Serbia had anticipated a three-year contract by May, a sentiment Vucic conveyed during previous meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in May and September.<\/p>\n<p>Serbia is heavily reliant on Russian energy, importing <strong>over 90% of its gas<\/strong> and consuming approximately <strong>2.7 billion cubic meters annually<\/strong>. Russia serves as a crucial guarantor of Serbia&#39;s energy security, reportedly meeting about <strong>85% of its total energy needs<\/strong>. <em>This development highlights the ongoing geopolitical challenges for Serbia, an EU candidate country that has notably refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia, unlike most of Europe.<\/em> Previous gas agreements in 2022 were described as &quot;extremely favorable,&quot; offering prices significantly lower than those paid by other European nations.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"HUD_Faces_Major_Layoffs_Amid_Workforce_Optimization\"><\/span>HUD Faces Major Layoffs Amid Workforce Optimization<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is implementing substantial staff reductions, with employees who investigate claims of housing discrimination receiving layoff notices across field offices nationwide. These layoffs are part of a broader &quot;Reduction in Force&quot; (RIF) initiated by HUD leadership on February 24, targeting positions at the GS-13 level and below within the Office of Field Policy and Management (FPM), with an effective date of May 18, 2025.<\/p>\n<p>This move follows an Executive Order issued by President Trump on February 11, 2025, mandating workforce optimization plans across federal agencies, including the abolishment of positions not specifically required by statute. The agency&#39;s goal is to achieve a <strong>50% staff cut<\/strong>, translating to approximately <strong>4,000 employees<\/strong> in total. Key offices expected to be impacted include Community Planning and Development, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Policy Development and Research, and Public and Indian Housing, with cuts potentially ranging from <strong>40% to 50%<\/strong>. Lawmakers have voiced concerns that these cuts could severely disrupt housing programs that hundreds of thousands of New York residents rely on. The Department of Government Efficiency (DGE), led by Elon Musk, is reportedly spearheading these federal cuts as part of a policy strategy known as Project 2025.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hamas_Firm_on_Weapons_Stance_in_Ceasefire_Deal\"><\/span>Hamas Firm on Weapons Stance in Ceasefire Deal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An unnamed Hamas official, quoted by AFP, stated that the movement considers handing over its weapons &quot;an impossible matter.&quot; This declaration comes as Hamas has agreed to a &quot;freeze the use of weapons&quot; but not their surrender, as part of the new US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal. This freeze is proposed as part of a ceasefire lasting between five and ten years.<\/p>\n<p>Hamas has explicitly clarified that its weapons will not be handed over to Israel or any non-Arab entity. While the agreement mentions an independent committee (potentially Egyptian, Egyptian-Arab, or Egyptian-Arab-Palestinian) to oversee the weapons, specific details on oversight remain undefined. The broader 20-point agreement proposed by US President Donald Trump includes a &quot;process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors.&quot; Hamas spokesman in Lebanon, Walid Kilani, further elaborated that the surrender of weapons is contingent upon the establishment of a fully-fledged Palestinian state with a national army. The movement has also denied earlier media reports suggesting it had agreed to a gradual surrender of weapons, labeling these as &quot;baseless allegations.&quot; Another Hamas official, Bassem Naim, indicated that the group&#39;s weapons would only be transferred to a Palestinian force.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prisoner_Exchange_Progresses_as_Khalil_al-Hayya_Signs_List\"><\/span>Prisoner Exchange Progresses as Khalil al-Hayya Signs List<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and lead negotiator, has signed the list of Palestinian prisoners &quot;modified by Israel&quot; that is planned for release as part of the Gaza agreement. Al-Hayya, also Hamas&#39; exiled Gaza chief, confirmed receiving guarantees from the United States and other mediators that the war had concluded.<\/p>\n<p>This development is part of the first phase of President Trump&#39;s initiative, which involves the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Israel&#39;s cabinet has approved the framework for releasing all hostages, both living and deceased. Hamas is actively seeking the release of prominent Palestinian convicts and hundreds of individuals detained during Israel&#39;s assault. However, the list of Palestinian prisoners published by Israel notably excludes <strong>Marwan Barghouti<\/strong>, a highly popular and influential figure. Hamas has confirmed the exchange of these prisoner lists with Israel as ceasefire negotiations continue in Egypt, with Al-Hayya stressing the necessity of binding assurances for a permanent cessation of hostilities. The deal is expected to see approximately <strong>2,000 Palestinian prisoners<\/strong> released in exchange for Israeli hostages, including all women and children held in Israeli jails.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Over 500,000 displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza following a recent ceasefire, amidst urgent calls for humanitarian 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