HEADLINES
- Egypt frames Gaza ceasefire with hostage exchange
- Hamas rift erupts as official walks out
- Iran denies attack on IRGC commander Qaani

The time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. This is the 12:00 AM update on the Gaza war, the broader Middle East and related US and international developments.

Egypt has brokered a framework for a Gaza ceasefire that officials describe as a path toward ending the current fighting while laying groundwork for a broader political process. The framework includes a hostage and prisoner exchange, newly opened humanitarian corridors, and governance and enforcement terms that are still being refined as negotiators press for verifiable compliance and accountability.

In Israel, domestic political preparations are unfolding as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog eye a forthcoming visit by the US president. Herzog has canceled the Sukkot open house scheduled for October 12, a decision tied to the security and scheduling realities surrounding the trip and the ongoing crisis.

Iran denies rumors that IRGC commander Esmail Qaani was targeted in an assassination attempt, labeling the reports as untrue. Tehran’s allies and proxies across the region—workstreams linked to Iranian influence in Lebanon and Yemen—face increased pressure and shifting calculations as the status of those networks comes into sharper focus for policymakers in Washington and Jerusalem.

Within Gaza, tensions within Hamas were on vivid display when a senior official walked out of a television interview after being pressed on whether the events of October 7 advanced Palestinian goals. The moment underscored rifts within Hamas leadership over strategy, messaging, and the prospects for unity in the face of mounting humanitarian and security pressures.

In Ramallah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed members of Israeli peace and reconciliation groups gathered under the It’s Time coalition, a coalition representing dozens of Israeli peace organizations. Organizers called the gathering historic, reflecting a broader, quiet push toward dialogue and potential steps toward coexistence even amid ongoing conflict.

In the United States, responses to the Gaza framework have been mixed and nuanced. Some American Jewish leaders have praised the diplomatic breakthrough that could secure hostages’ return and bring an end to active fighting, even as they caution that domestic policy disagreements with the president remain acute. Others urge careful scrutiny of the deal’s terms, especially security arrangements and regional risk assessments. The debate reflects a broader tension inside the community about recognizing diplomatic gains while continuing to press for civil liberties and domestic reform at home.

Meanwhile, hostage negotiations continue to be a central thread, with negotiators and security officials stressing verification and monitoring mechanisms as the framework takes firmer shape. The work of liaison teams—quietly exchanging notices and coordinating with capitals across the region—continues to keep the process alive even as public tensions flare.

On the security front, Israel’s leadership emphasizes preventing Hamas rearming and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Observers note that US support, framed in terms of peace through strength and a deep partnership with Israel, continues to influence policy discussions in Washington and Jerusalem as both sides weigh the next steps toward a durable settlement.

In the broader regional picture, reports indicate ongoing tensions and limited movement among Iran’s proxies as regional actors recalibrate their positions in light of new diplomatic openings and serious security concerns. The violence and political maneuvering in southern Lebanon, Gaza, and beyond remind audiences that even as a ceasefire framework begins to take hold, the region’s strategic fault lines remain highly sensitive to leadership decisions in Jerusalem, Washington, and regional capitals.

That is all for this hour’s update. We will continue to follow the ceasefire’s evolution, the hostage negotiations, and the unfolding regional shifts as they shape the path toward lasting peace and security.

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.

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