Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-11 at 19:06
Update: 2025-10-11
Description
HEADLINES
Ceasefire holds as Gaza pullback progresses
Hamas mobilizes 7,000, installs five governors
Witkoff Kushner push peace amid boos
The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good afternoon. A United States brokered ceasefire announced in Sharm el-Sheikh remains in effect as Israel reports a partial withdrawal from Gaza in line with the first phase of the plan endorsed by Washington. Israeli forces have pulled back from the areas they occupied in southern Gaza and now hold positions along a line described by officials as the yellow line, with preparations continuing to receive hostages held by Hamas. Officials say evidence of progress toward release of hostages continues, though the timetable remains uncertain and negotiations over disarmament and governance features of any long term arrangement are expected to be difficult.
In Israel, the military and intelligence community advance with a sense of caution, acknowledging significant challenges ahead as families of the missing and the dead hold vigil. A reservist who was gravely wounded in an October 7 operation in southern Gaza, Master Sergeant Shmuel Gad Rahamim, age 31 from Giv’at Ze’ev, has died of his wounds. Rahamim’s passing follows the deaths of others who were injured in the same October 7 incident, with two additional reserve soldiers injured in the same flare of fighting. Israeli authorities say preparations to identify the remains of hostages and fallen soldiers are proceeding under strict security protocols.
The ceasefire environment comes amid reporting that Hamas has begun to reassert some control in Gaza after the IDF redeployed from areas recently vacated. BBC reporting, citing local sources, indicates Hamas mobilized roughly 7,000 members of its internal security forces to deploy across districts it says it has cleared of combatants and to appoint five new governors to oversee areas of the Gaza Strip. The organization reportedly issued calls for mobilization and warned that forces in civilian clothes and in uniforms alike could appear in public spaces as part of efforts to re-establish authority. Palestinian officials and observers caution that such moves could presage renewed internal tensions or new clashes as negotiations progress.
On the diplomatic front, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner addressed crowds in Tel Aviv’s Hostages’ Square, delivering messages of perseverance and partnership. Witkoff told the crowd—before pauses and cheers interjected by sections of the audience—that he dreamed of the night’s scene, praising the ability of leaders and families to endure and to work toward peace through courage. Kushner, standing alongside Witkoff, spoke to the gathering with a mixture of praise and humility, saying he was honored to work with the people and leaders who have borne the burden of the crisis. The crowd reacted with visible mixed emotions, including boos when Kushner’s name was invoked, reflecting the tense political currents inside Israel as the peace process unfolds.
In remarks that drew attention from many watching around the world, Kushner emphasized that the peace process in the region is not a surrender but a commitment to security and stability. He and Witkoff credited Israeli leadership with steadfast resolve in the face of extraordinary challenges, and Kushner underscored the importance of maintaining momentum toward the return of hostages. He also offered personal reflections on the night of October 7, recalling how events unfolded and the deep pain that followed for families on all sides. In the same venue, former White House adviser Jared Kushner reiterated that the operation would not be about surrender but about securing a future in which Israel can live in safety and its neighbors can prosper.
Analysts caution that while the ceasefire provides a tactical pause, the strategic questions remain unresolved. Hamas leaders have publicly indicated they are prepared to continue fighting if conditions change, and they have hinted that disarmament and governance issues could become points of contention in future negotiations. The deal’s scope includes expectations of hostage releases and a framework for Israeli security arrangements, but turning that framework into durable peace will require patience, trust, and continued international engagement.
Meanwhile, observers note signs that Tehran’s influence in the region remains contested. Reports in regional and international outlets describe what some analysts see as a degraded posture of Iranian proxies and a shifting balance of power among allied groups. At the same time, reporting circulated about potential ship movements and arms considerations that could affect the broader stability of the Gulf and surrounding theaters. Officials in various capitals say the United States and allied partners will continue to press for verifiable steps toward reducing violence and increasing humanitarian access, while also pressing for accountability for those who orchestrate or enable mass violence against civilians.
In a related development, Israeli security and forensic teams are preparing to identify 28 hostages whose bodies are being returned from Gaza, a task described as one of the most challenging in the country’s recent history. The nation has been careful to emphasize that all steps taken in this process are carried out with due regard for the families and for the dignity of those involved.
In the broader regional context, tensions and strategic calculations persist. Hamas continues to emphasize its readiness to resume fighting if conditions deteriorate, while other regional actors watch closely for changes in the on-the-ground balance of power and for opportunities to influence the trajectory of the conflict. The United States maintains that its approach—rooted in security, humanitarian considerations, and the pursuit of peace through strength—remains central to stabilizing the region and safeguarding civilian lives.
That is the latest on the ground and in the corridors of diplomacy as authorities work to translate a fragile truce into a lasting peace, and as families across Israel and Gaza await word of their loved ones and a future free from fear.
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/defense-news/article-870103
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870100
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-869976
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869961
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870094
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-870096
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-870091
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-869977
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/hamas-ready-fight-if-gaza-war-resumes-official-tells-afp_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/11/witkoff-at-hostages-square-i-dreamed-of-this/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/burn-towns-slaughter-broadcast-2022-sinwar-memo-said-to-detail-hamas-plan-for-oct-7/
https://worldisraelnews.com/activist-laura-loomer-blasts-pentagon-over-planned-qatar-military-facility-in-idaho/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1240571
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjwqhfopgl
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1240564
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56092
<a href="https://www.maariv.co.il/break
Ceasefire holds as Gaza pullback progresses
Hamas mobilizes 7,000, installs five governors
Witkoff Kushner push peace amid boos
The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good afternoon. A United States brokered ceasefire announced in Sharm el-Sheikh remains in effect as Israel reports a partial withdrawal from Gaza in line with the first phase of the plan endorsed by Washington. Israeli forces have pulled back from the areas they occupied in southern Gaza and now hold positions along a line described by officials as the yellow line, with preparations continuing to receive hostages held by Hamas. Officials say evidence of progress toward release of hostages continues, though the timetable remains uncertain and negotiations over disarmament and governance features of any long term arrangement are expected to be difficult.
In Israel, the military and intelligence community advance with a sense of caution, acknowledging significant challenges ahead as families of the missing and the dead hold vigil. A reservist who was gravely wounded in an October 7 operation in southern Gaza, Master Sergeant Shmuel Gad Rahamim, age 31 from Giv’at Ze’ev, has died of his wounds. Rahamim’s passing follows the deaths of others who were injured in the same October 7 incident, with two additional reserve soldiers injured in the same flare of fighting. Israeli authorities say preparations to identify the remains of hostages and fallen soldiers are proceeding under strict security protocols.
The ceasefire environment comes amid reporting that Hamas has begun to reassert some control in Gaza after the IDF redeployed from areas recently vacated. BBC reporting, citing local sources, indicates Hamas mobilized roughly 7,000 members of its internal security forces to deploy across districts it says it has cleared of combatants and to appoint five new governors to oversee areas of the Gaza Strip. The organization reportedly issued calls for mobilization and warned that forces in civilian clothes and in uniforms alike could appear in public spaces as part of efforts to re-establish authority. Palestinian officials and observers caution that such moves could presage renewed internal tensions or new clashes as negotiations progress.
On the diplomatic front, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner addressed crowds in Tel Aviv’s Hostages’ Square, delivering messages of perseverance and partnership. Witkoff told the crowd—before pauses and cheers interjected by sections of the audience—that he dreamed of the night’s scene, praising the ability of leaders and families to endure and to work toward peace through courage. Kushner, standing alongside Witkoff, spoke to the gathering with a mixture of praise and humility, saying he was honored to work with the people and leaders who have borne the burden of the crisis. The crowd reacted with visible mixed emotions, including boos when Kushner’s name was invoked, reflecting the tense political currents inside Israel as the peace process unfolds.
In remarks that drew attention from many watching around the world, Kushner emphasized that the peace process in the region is not a surrender but a commitment to security and stability. He and Witkoff credited Israeli leadership with steadfast resolve in the face of extraordinary challenges, and Kushner underscored the importance of maintaining momentum toward the return of hostages. He also offered personal reflections on the night of October 7, recalling how events unfolded and the deep pain that followed for families on all sides. In the same venue, former White House adviser Jared Kushner reiterated that the operation would not be about surrender but about securing a future in which Israel can live in safety and its neighbors can prosper.
Analysts caution that while the ceasefire provides a tactical pause, the strategic questions remain unresolved. Hamas leaders have publicly indicated they are prepared to continue fighting if conditions change, and they have hinted that disarmament and governance issues could become points of contention in future negotiations. The deal’s scope includes expectations of hostage releases and a framework for Israeli security arrangements, but turning that framework into durable peace will require patience, trust, and continued international engagement.
Meanwhile, observers note signs that Tehran’s influence in the region remains contested. Reports in regional and international outlets describe what some analysts see as a degraded posture of Iranian proxies and a shifting balance of power among allied groups. At the same time, reporting circulated about potential ship movements and arms considerations that could affect the broader stability of the Gulf and surrounding theaters. Officials in various capitals say the United States and allied partners will continue to press for verifiable steps toward reducing violence and increasing humanitarian access, while also pressing for accountability for those who orchestrate or enable mass violence against civilians.
In a related development, Israeli security and forensic teams are preparing to identify 28 hostages whose bodies are being returned from Gaza, a task described as one of the most challenging in the country’s recent history. The nation has been careful to emphasize that all steps taken in this process are carried out with due regard for the families and for the dignity of those involved.
In the broader regional context, tensions and strategic calculations persist. Hamas continues to emphasize its readiness to resume fighting if conditions deteriorate, while other regional actors watch closely for changes in the on-the-ground balance of power and for opportunities to influence the trajectory of the conflict. The United States maintains that its approach—rooted in security, humanitarian considerations, and the pursuit of peace through strength—remains central to stabilizing the region and safeguarding civilian lives.
That is the latest on the ground and in the corridors of diplomacy as authorities work to translate a fragile truce into a lasting peace, and as families across Israel and Gaza await word of their loved ones and a future free from fear.
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/defense-news/article-870103
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870100
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-869976
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869961
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870094
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-870096
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-870091
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-869977
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/hamas-ready-fight-if-gaza-war-resumes-official-tells-afp_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/11/witkoff-at-hostages-square-i-dreamed-of-this/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/burn-towns-slaughter-broadcast-2022-sinwar-memo-said-to-detail-hamas-plan-for-oct-7/
https://worldisraelnews.com/activist-laura-loomer-blasts-pentagon-over-planned-qatar-military-facility-in-idaho/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1240571
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjwqhfopgl
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1240564
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56092
<a href="https://www.maariv.co.il/break
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