HEADLINES
Hostage Release Promised in Phase A Ceasefire
Hamas Tightens Grip as Gaza Crisis Deepens
Sharm Gaza Summit Tests US Led Accord

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 3:00 a.m., the latest developments in Israel and Gaza center on the ceasefire brokered in Sharm el-Sheikh by the United States with Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. The agreement aims to halt the fighting between Israel and Hamas and establish a framework for the next steps, beginning with Phase A of the Trump administration’s settlement plan. That phase envisions a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a pathway toward discussions on broader security and governance arrangements. Notably, Hamas will not participate in the signing ceremony; mediators along with American and Israeli officials are expected to be in attendance to formalize the moment.

Behind the scenes, diplomats are circulating a proposal for the next phase of the plan, which envisions the establishment of a Palestinian government in Gaza that is not affiliated with Hamas. An Arab diplomat described the concept as a possible path to broaden acceptance of the arrangement and to create a more credible civilian framework for Gaza. Observers note that the United States, in coordinating with regional partners, would seek to couple any new governance arrangement with commitments on disarmament and security guarantees. Some Israeli observers indicate that Washington is unlikely to stand in the way of Israel’s efforts to curb Hamas’s armed capabilities, so long as international mechanisms accompany such measures.

On the ground in Gaza, observers report that Hamas is moving to consolidate its control in the wake of the ceasefire. It has been expanding the presence of security forces in central districts and along major corridors, while security operations target groups seen as potential rivals to Hamas’s monopoly over security. In Khan Younis, officials say large portions of the city have suffered extensive damage, with critical infrastructure like water and sewage systems disrupted. Amid the relief and reconstruction efforts, residents are setting up temporary shelters as authorities work to restore basic services and curb any stray security threats. Analysts caution that the effort to tighten control is designed to deter alternatives to Hamas dominance, even as humanitarian needs rise.

Internationally, the arrangement reflects a shift in regional diplomacy. Europe’s involvement remains limited, while Washington pushes a model of mediation that pairs incentives with pressure. Turkey and Qatar are playing active roles as sub-mediators, with the United States pressing for disarmament and a path toward broader normalization under regional frameworks like the Abraham Accords. Observers note that the deal signals a significant reorientation of Middle East diplomacy toward a US-led, multi-country framework, with potential implications for how neighboring states engage with Gaza, Israel, and the broader region.

Israeli officials have outlined the operational implications of the ceasefire and hostage process. The defense leadership has stressed that the primary challenge after the initial phase will be the direct destruction of Hamas’s tunnel network in Gaza, a task that Israel plans to pursue with its own forces and through international mechanisms designed to oversee Gaza’s disarmament. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has prepared, in coordination with civilian authorities, for the immediate reception of hostages if and when they are released, with units already positioned along the border to respond to a range of scenarios. Medical teams and air defense assets are standing by at the reception sites to handle any contingencies.

In parallel, new reports detail operational and political moves that shape the broader landscape. There are indications that some factions outside Hamas are being pressured to align with the new governance and security arrangements, while others remain vocal opponents. The broader international atmosphere remains unsettled, with governments weighing the balance between humanitarian relief, security guarantees, and the risk of renewed violence if concessions outpace enforcement.

Beyond Gaza, other regional and international developments capture attention. Three Qatari diplomats accompanying the Qatari prime minister were reported killed in a road incident in the Sinai, with several others injured, a development that reverberates through the diplomacy surrounding the Gaza talks. A summit on Gaza planned for Sharm el-Sheikh involving about 20 countries, including the United States and France, is anticipated to shape the next phase of engagement, though officials note that neither Israel nor Hamas are assured a seat at the table for every instance of diplomacy.

Domestically, a separate stream of news underscores the ongoing global reverberations of the conflict. On university campuses in the United Kingdom, authorities and student groups are grappling with antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment amid heightened tensions connected to the Gaza conflict, prompting a government push for stronger campus protections. In addition, across the Atlantic, there is continued attention to hostage families’ efforts and the administration’s handling of the negotiations, with supporters urging unwavering commitment to bringing every captive home.

As the ceasefire enters its initial phase, the momentum of diplomacy and the security calculus on the ground will continue to unfold in coming days. The overarching question remains whether the combination of a political transition plan for Gaza, robust disarmament commitments, and international oversight can translate the temporary halt in fighting into a sustainable framework that reduces the threat to civilians, preserves Israel’s security needs, and opens a path toward a broader regional peace. This hour, observers will be watching not only the battlefield in Gaza but the evolving architecture of regional diplomacy that could redefine the prospects for stability in the years ahead.

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/middle-east/article-870146
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-870143
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-870144
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870131
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-870137
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870134
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870132
https://worldisraelnews.com/free-palestine-anti-israel-protests-erupt-at-norway-soccer-game/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-870129
https://t.me/abualiexpress/106596
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1240669
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1240662
https://t.me/newssil/174173
https://t.me/newssil/174172
https://t.me/newssil/174170
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/12/the-47th-presidents-super-mediator-model-is-the-only-path/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/uk-tells-universities-told-to-crack-down-on-antisemitism-after-manchester-terror-attack/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1240658
https://t.me/newssil/174169
https://t.me/abualiexpress/106595
https://t.me/abualiexpress/106594
https://t.me/newssil/174167
https://t.me/abualiexpress/106591
https://t.me/newssil/174165
https://worldisraelnews.com/uk-doctor-blames-israeli-conspiracy-for-deadly