Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-05 at 18:05
Update: 2025-10-05
Description
HEADLINES
Hamas Hostage Deal Near, Week's End Possible
Trump Plan Drives Talks Toward Gaza Ceasefire
High Court Clears Shin Bet Nomination
The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 2:00 PM update. A delicate pause in the Gaza war persists as mediators say they will know by the end of the week whether Hamas is moving toward a hostage deal, a signal that diplomatic momentum remains alive even as fighting continues around the Gaza Strip. An Israeli official told mediators that “we’ll know very quickly—by the end of the week—whether Hamas is heading toward a deal or not,” a stance underscored by ongoing discussions in the region and with Egyptian mediators preparing to host talks in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Alongside the hostage negotiations, the broader political backdrop remains unsettled. In Washington, discussion continues around a plan laid out by President Donald Trump to end the Gaza war. Delegations are reportedly preparing to meet in Egypt on Monday to discuss a 20-point ceasefire framework, with Israeli negotiators led by Minister Ron Dermer and US envoy Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff joining the mediators. Observers note the Trump plan has energized both sides to signal willingness to engage, even as domestic political dynamics complicate the path forward.
On the ground in Gaza and surrounding theaters, there are reports about Hamas’s posture and the grounds for any potential disarmament agreement. A Saudi channel, Al Arabiya, cited a Hamas source claiming the group has begun gathering dead hostages and that negotiators are seeking to halt Israeli airstrikes temporarily to complete the exchange. The source described a phased release of hostages, with living captives handled in one phase and deceased hostages in a longer process, and claimed there were American guarantees through Qatar for a permanent Israeli withdrawal and that weapons would be transferred to a Palestinian-Egyptian authority under international supervision. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have been pressing mediators to secure a broader ceasefire and a withdrawal to previous lines while agreeing to prisoner release criteria that prioritize older, longer-serving inmates.
Analysts are asking hard questions about the long-term security picture if a deal is reached. One analysis argues that any agreement must address the danger Hamas would continue to pose if it regains governance in Gaza, and whether an armed force could be reined in while international guarantors supervise a settlement. There is also emphasis on the need for credible enforcement mechanisms if a withdrawal takes place and a future stability framework is to be sustained.
In Israel’s domestic arena, the political landscape remains tense as talks advance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition faces pressure from ultra-nationalist allies who have expressed skepticism about the US framework and the pace of diplomacy. At the same time, former prime ministerial candidates and current lawmakers have debated how to proceed, including a proposal from former interim leader Yair Lapid offering a safety net to implement a Trump-backed Gaza deal, potentially enabling cooperation with more skeptical ministers on the right. In parallel, the High Court ruled that the government may proceed with the appointment of Shin Bet chief David Zini, rejecting requests to delay the nomination even as three former Shin Bet chiefs had pressed to cancel the appointment.
On the security front, the IDF continues to adjust to a shifting battlefield. The army’s assessment remains that no ceasefire has been declared, but commanders say the conduct of operations has changed to reflect a new phase of the war—one in which diplomacy is being actively pursued while combat readiness remains intact. In the Gaza Strip, the IDF has conducted operations and drills near the borders to test readiness, and last week’s military posture included field exercises involving units along the Gaza corridor to simulate and rehearse rapid responses to infiltrations and to maintain the readiness to resume combat if needed.
The humanitarian and security picture outside Gaza also features ongoing hazards from Iran’s proxies. In Yemen, Houthi forces have continued attacks against Israel and maritime traffic, prompting Israel to bolster defensive readiness in southern cities. Eilat, the southern resort, moved to expand public bomb shelters after a drone attack wounded about 20 people last month; further steps were announced to strengthen detection and interception capabilities. The Home Front Command has reiterated the need for civilians to seek shelter promptly when alerts sound, and officials say the Iron Dome system’s earlier shortfalls have been addressed.
International reaction continues to expand, with protests across Europe marking the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 and calling for action in Gaza. Demonstrations were held in Istanbul, Amsterdam, Rome, Madrid and other cities, underscoring global attention to the war and the hostage situation. Israel has also faced diplomatic and public scrutiny over casualty estimates and relief access in Gaza. In a separate development, Israel deported 29 Gaza flotilla activists detained by the navy after a recent attempt to deliver aid to blockaded Gaza, a move the government described as part of enforcing its blockade.
On the hostage front, the tally remains grim. Hamas authorities in Gaza and allied sources keep reporting on casualties and the status of hostages, with the broader count of those killed in Gaza running into the tens of thousands according to Hamas’s own information channels. The number of hostages reported in Gaza who remain alive is small, and negotiations continue around the conditions and timing of any possible releases.
In brief, the next few days are pivotal. Diplomatic channels are active, mediators say a decision on a Hamas hostage deal could come by week’s end, and the broader framework of a Trump-backed plan is influencing the talks. At the same time, Israeli military readiness remains high and domestic political dynamics in Israel continue to shape how far and how fast diplomacy can proceed, while Iran’s regional proxies, including the Houthis, underscore the persistent volatility of the broader security landscape. This is the 2:00 PM update.
Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869544
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869543
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869542
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869541
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869539
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869538
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869537
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869535
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869534
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869533
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869531
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-869529
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/10/netanyahu-faces-far-right-backlash-trump-presses-end-gaza-war_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/05/report-hamas-begins-collecting-deceased-hostages/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjrj7qepeg
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/eilat-deploys-10-new-public-bomb-shelters-as-houthi-drone-shot-down-over-resort-city/" re
Hamas Hostage Deal Near, Week's End Possible
Trump Plan Drives Talks Toward Gaza Ceasefire
High Court Clears Shin Bet Nomination
The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 2:00 PM update. A delicate pause in the Gaza war persists as mediators say they will know by the end of the week whether Hamas is moving toward a hostage deal, a signal that diplomatic momentum remains alive even as fighting continues around the Gaza Strip. An Israeli official told mediators that “we’ll know very quickly—by the end of the week—whether Hamas is heading toward a deal or not,” a stance underscored by ongoing discussions in the region and with Egyptian mediators preparing to host talks in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Alongside the hostage negotiations, the broader political backdrop remains unsettled. In Washington, discussion continues around a plan laid out by President Donald Trump to end the Gaza war. Delegations are reportedly preparing to meet in Egypt on Monday to discuss a 20-point ceasefire framework, with Israeli negotiators led by Minister Ron Dermer and US envoy Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff joining the mediators. Observers note the Trump plan has energized both sides to signal willingness to engage, even as domestic political dynamics complicate the path forward.
On the ground in Gaza and surrounding theaters, there are reports about Hamas’s posture and the grounds for any potential disarmament agreement. A Saudi channel, Al Arabiya, cited a Hamas source claiming the group has begun gathering dead hostages and that negotiators are seeking to halt Israeli airstrikes temporarily to complete the exchange. The source described a phased release of hostages, with living captives handled in one phase and deceased hostages in a longer process, and claimed there were American guarantees through Qatar for a permanent Israeli withdrawal and that weapons would be transferred to a Palestinian-Egyptian authority under international supervision. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have been pressing mediators to secure a broader ceasefire and a withdrawal to previous lines while agreeing to prisoner release criteria that prioritize older, longer-serving inmates.
Analysts are asking hard questions about the long-term security picture if a deal is reached. One analysis argues that any agreement must address the danger Hamas would continue to pose if it regains governance in Gaza, and whether an armed force could be reined in while international guarantors supervise a settlement. There is also emphasis on the need for credible enforcement mechanisms if a withdrawal takes place and a future stability framework is to be sustained.
In Israel’s domestic arena, the political landscape remains tense as talks advance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition faces pressure from ultra-nationalist allies who have expressed skepticism about the US framework and the pace of diplomacy. At the same time, former prime ministerial candidates and current lawmakers have debated how to proceed, including a proposal from former interim leader Yair Lapid offering a safety net to implement a Trump-backed Gaza deal, potentially enabling cooperation with more skeptical ministers on the right. In parallel, the High Court ruled that the government may proceed with the appointment of Shin Bet chief David Zini, rejecting requests to delay the nomination even as three former Shin Bet chiefs had pressed to cancel the appointment.
On the security front, the IDF continues to adjust to a shifting battlefield. The army’s assessment remains that no ceasefire has been declared, but commanders say the conduct of operations has changed to reflect a new phase of the war—one in which diplomacy is being actively pursued while combat readiness remains intact. In the Gaza Strip, the IDF has conducted operations and drills near the borders to test readiness, and last week’s military posture included field exercises involving units along the Gaza corridor to simulate and rehearse rapid responses to infiltrations and to maintain the readiness to resume combat if needed.
The humanitarian and security picture outside Gaza also features ongoing hazards from Iran’s proxies. In Yemen, Houthi forces have continued attacks against Israel and maritime traffic, prompting Israel to bolster defensive readiness in southern cities. Eilat, the southern resort, moved to expand public bomb shelters after a drone attack wounded about 20 people last month; further steps were announced to strengthen detection and interception capabilities. The Home Front Command has reiterated the need for civilians to seek shelter promptly when alerts sound, and officials say the Iron Dome system’s earlier shortfalls have been addressed.
International reaction continues to expand, with protests across Europe marking the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 and calling for action in Gaza. Demonstrations were held in Istanbul, Amsterdam, Rome, Madrid and other cities, underscoring global attention to the war and the hostage situation. Israel has also faced diplomatic and public scrutiny over casualty estimates and relief access in Gaza. In a separate development, Israel deported 29 Gaza flotilla activists detained by the navy after a recent attempt to deliver aid to blockaded Gaza, a move the government described as part of enforcing its blockade.
On the hostage front, the tally remains grim. Hamas authorities in Gaza and allied sources keep reporting on casualties and the status of hostages, with the broader count of those killed in Gaza running into the tens of thousands according to Hamas’s own information channels. The number of hostages reported in Gaza who remain alive is small, and negotiations continue around the conditions and timing of any possible releases.
In brief, the next few days are pivotal. Diplomatic channels are active, mediators say a decision on a Hamas hostage deal could come by week’s end, and the broader framework of a Trump-backed plan is influencing the talks. At the same time, Israeli military readiness remains high and domestic political dynamics in Israel continue to shape how far and how fast diplomacy can proceed, while Iran’s regional proxies, including the Houthis, underscore the persistent volatility of the broader security landscape. This is the 2:00 PM update.
Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869544
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869543
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869542
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869541
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869539
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869538
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869537
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869535
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869534
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869533
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869531
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-869529
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/10/netanyahu-faces-far-right-backlash-trump-presses-end-gaza-war_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/05/report-hamas-begins-collecting-deceased-hostages/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjrj7qepeg
<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/eilat-deploys-10-new-public-bomb-shelters-as-houthi-drone-shot-down-over-resort-city/" re
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