Hamas said Friday that it reached an agreement to disarm, a significant move that could help end the war in Gaza — but one that will face many hurdles and could take a long time if ever to achieve. Israel has not commented on the deal, which President Donald Trump announced hours earlier. Fighting has continued despite a ceasefire the U.S. brokered nine months ago. Trump is taking his Friday’s Cabinet meeting on the road to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. And he remains bitter over moves by two Republican senators to put the brakes on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the full-time post.

A crisis at the border in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, has led to unsubstantiated claims about Spain’s migration policies. Local officials say around 60,000 migrants have entered Ceuta from Morocco in the past 24 hours, equivalent to 70% of the city’s population. At least 34 migrants have died attempting the crossing. Most migrants appear to be men, though some families with women and children have been seen. Poverty and youth unemployment are high in Morocco, prompting many to seek better opportunities in Europe. The sudden surge’s cause remains unclear, with various claims being disputed.

President Donald Trump has used his Cabinet meeting at the historic Camp David retreat in Maryland to boast of his administration’s achievements while seizing on a migrant crisis in Spain. Trump on Friday discussed the economy, Iran and immigration and made his case for why voters should choose Republicans in the midterm elections. Trump referenced the recent surge of migrants into a tiny territory of Spain and claimed the same thing is going to happen to the U.S. if Republicans don’t get elected. The White House spent the morning highlighting that the meeting was the first televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David, which was established in 1942 during Franklin Roosevelt's presidency.

Israelis across political and religious lines are worried about the weakening connection with younger Jewish Americans. A recent AP poll showed American Jews under 45 tend to consider support for Israel less crucial to their Jewish identity than older adults. Government officials, faith leaders and those working on exchange programs between the two countries consider a close relationship with diaspora Jews a “strategic asset” for both Israel and Jews worldwide. They're particularly worried about diaspora Jews losing the sense that Israel can be a homeland for them amid rising antisemitism.

Hamas has confirmed that it will disarm as part of a deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump that also requires Israel to end its strikes and withdraw from Gaza. It marks a potential breakthrough in ending the war, but implementation faces major challenges. Hamas also said that laying down its heavy weapons, which would come later in the process, was contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel’s current government adamantly rejects. Israel has not officially commented on the deal, which is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced last October.

The Republican leader of the Indiana Senate is giving up his position after six GOP incumbents who opposed President Donald Trump on his congressional redistricting push in the state lost their primaries. Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray drew the ire of Trump in December when he voted against the redistricting plan after saying for weeks that it didn’t have enough support to pass. Bray announced Friday that he would not seek reelection to the post when Senate Republicans choose their leaders in November. His current Senate term runs through 2028 and he will remain in office, albeit not in a leadership position.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an agreement for disarmament of Hamas in Gaza and Israel's withdrawal from the area. This could end the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, 2023. The Board of Peace, established by Trump, will oversee the ceasefire. Nickolay Mladenov, director-general of the board, emphasized the importance of implementation and verification. The National Committee for The Administration of Gaza is ready to govern and restore services. Rebuilding Gaza is estimated to cost $70 billion. The agreement involves international security forces and a new Palestinian government. The plan has international support but faces challenges with disarmament and reconstruction.

Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed says his Muslim faith shapes his progressive views. Speaking recently to faith leaders in Detroit, El-Sayed emphasized accountability and helping others. El-Sayed supports “Medicare for All” and highlights growing inequality and the responsibility of the wealthy. As progressive Democrats gain traction, some connect their economic policies with religious beliefs. Faith-driven economic initiatives extend beyond elections, with some organizations supporting workers' rights. These efforts are being seen across the country. Religious support for labor movements is not new, even if it has ebbed and flowed in the U.S. over the centuries.

Missouri voters are deciding on a measure that could make it much harder to amend the state constitution. Proposed Amendment 4 on Tuesday's ballot would require future amendments proposed by citizen initiatives to pass in all eight congressional districts, not just by a simple statewide majority. No other state has such a high standard. Supporters say it ensures all voices are heard. But critics argue it undermines majority rule. The proposal applies only to citizen initiatives, not those referred by the Legislature. Missouri's measure comes after other states have tried to make it harder to pass initiated amendments by requiring a 60% threshold statewide.