What we’re reading: Israel and Hamas to engage in hostage exchange, first measles death in Texas outbreak and more

By Pilar Olivas, Staff Writer

Published Feb 26, 2025

Palestinians look at a mosque destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Efforts to reach a new cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam. Any deal would have to include a pause in fighting, an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and large quantities of desperately needed humanitarian assistance for the war-battered Gaza Strip. But finding a formula acceptable to both sides has been elusive. The gaps between Israel and Hamas remain wide, and the chances of an agreement anytime soon still appear to be slim. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Israel and Hamas agreed to prisoner exchange, potentially concluding ceasefire’s first phase

On Tuesday, Israeli and Hamas officials announced an agreement to exchange the bodies of four deceased Israeli hostages for several hundred Palestinian prisoners, according to CBS news. The deal came after Israel’s delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners in protest over Hamas’ treatment of Israeli hostages during previous exchanges.

The two sides met in Cairo, Egypt to resolve the dispute and arrange the date and conditions of the hostage exchange. If completed, it will have fulfilled both sides of the original ceasefire agreement and could open up discussions for another ceasefire and peace talks.

Covenant Children’s Hospital is pictured from outside the emergency entrance on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon) (AP)

Texas child dies from measles outbreak, government officials respond

A child died from measles at a Lubbock hospital on Tuesday evening, according to the Associated Press. The child, who was unvaccinated, was among the 124 reported measles cases that have spread across nine counties in West Texas– the largest outbreak in over 30 years.

When asked about the government’s response, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, said that the government was watching the cases and that the outbreak was “not unusual” during a Cabinet meeting with President Trump.

This marks the first measles-related death in the U.S. in ten years.

Trump administration directs federal agencies to prepare for layoffs

President Donald Trump arrives at the White House after speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell) (AP)

The Trump administration issued a memo to federal agencies on Wednesday, instructing them to prepare plans for large-scale layoffs as part of cost cutting measures, according to NBC news. The memo, written by Budget Director Russell Vought and acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management Charles Ezell, outlined that the layoff plans target employees who are underperforming, engaged in misconduct or cut any positions that are unnecessary.

Vought and Ezell stated that the layoffs are meant to increase productivity while reducing the

government spending, saying “tax dollars are being siphoned off to fund unnecessary and unproductive programs that benefits radical interest groups.”

This is the latest development in a series of massive government layoffs started by Elon Musk and backed by President Trump in his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Agencies are required to submit the first phase of their layoff plans by March 13.

Shown are alleged straw purchased weapons displayed during a news conference in Norristown, Pa., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (AP)

Mexico to appear before U.S. Supreme Court in lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers

A legal team representing the Mexican government will appear in the U.S. Supreme Court on March 4 to argue their case against eight U.S. gun manufacturers, according to CNN. Mexico has sued U.S. gun manufacturers multiple times in recent years, accusing that they’re aiding the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms into Mexico.

Previous claims from Mexico stated that 70-90% of all guns from crime scenes in Mexico came from the U.S.

A 2024 report from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found that 72% of international gun trafficking cases originating in the U.S. targeted Mexico as their destination.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said during a press conference that she would seek reforms to stop the illicit manufacturing, distribution and transfer of firearms in Mexican territory.