HEADLINES
Judiciary showdown Ohana bars Amit and Baharav-Miara
Ceasefire diplomacy Sharm summit pledges durable peace
Families slam government over hostage bodies recovery

The time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Israel’s leaders face a volatile domestic and regional moment as day 739 of the Gaza war unfolds. In a move reflecting ongoing tensions over the judiciary, Knesset speaker Amir Ohana did not invite Supreme Court President Isaac Amit or Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to US President Donald Trump’s address to the Knesset. Officials said the speech was treated as not an official state event, a designation cited to explain the guest list. The decision comes amid a government push to fire Baharav-Miara and a dispute over Amit’s authority as chief justice, part of the coalition’s broader effort to curb court powers. Sources cited by Haaretz indicated that other high-ranking figures, such as State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, were invited. There was no official comment from Ohana’s office. Amit Becher, head of the Israel Bar Association, condemned the move as a despicable boycott that targets the judiciary and democracy, arguing it signals that the plan to undermine Zionist and democratic Israel has not paused, even as Netanyahu sought a message of reconciliation in the speech.

Trump later said he told Netanyahu he did not plan in advance to call for a pardon; the moment arose as Netanyahu received strong applause, and the president suggested it as a spur of the moment remark. He stressed that the pardon was not premeditated, a disclosure that feeds the domestic debate over how the prime minister’s corruption case influences judicial policy and political calculations around the reform agenda.

On the security front, Hamas has sought to reassert itself in Gaza as a ceasefire takes hold. The group has moved fighters into the street and pressed to reestablish influence after the recent conflict, even as its forces have been targeted in crackdowns. Security sources described ongoing violence and tensions as Hamas adjusts to the post-ceasefire environment. In a separate development tied to the ceasefire framework, Yael Adar, the mother of slain hostage Tamir Adar, told Channel 12 that the government has failed to secure leverage to recover hostages’ bodies, a criticism among families who have watched negotiations unfold without full accountability or clarity on outcomes. Under the “Comprehensive End of Gaza War” terms, Hamas was to release 20 living hostages and return the bodies of the dead within 72 hours, though officials have noted there can be gaps if locations of some remains are unclear. Qatar and other mediators have indicated that some dead hostages’ bodies may remain unreturned at this stage, highlighting the fragile and negotiable nature of the accord. Reports also described public displays of attack and counterattack as Hamas units and unknown gunmen were seen in Gaza, underscoring the still volatile security situation in the enclave despite the ceasefire commitment.

In parallel, the ceasefire accord was reinforced by regional diplomacy. A summit in Sharm el-Sheikh brought together President Donald Trump and leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with representatives signaling a commitment to resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than force. The participants affirmed a shared objective of a durable peace that would enable Israelis and Palestinians to prosper, while respecting security and political rights. The discussions stressed the need to dismantle extremism and to counter radicalization through education, opportunity, and mutual respect. The parties pledged to pursue future disputes through dialogue and negotiation, acknowledging the region’s history and readiness to help build lasting stability.

Within Israel, the toll of the conflict and the war’s broader reach continued to appear in civilian casualties and in the ongoing struggle over accountability. A 76-year-old resident of Ramat Gan, Aharon Mizrahi, died of injuries sustained in an Iranian missile attack that struck in June during the broader conflict. His passing adds to the human costs of the regional escalation and serves as a reminder of the war’s reach beyond the battlefield into daily life.

In East Jerusalem, tensions and clashes continued, with law enforcement recording rioting and protests in several neighborhoods. A 15-year-old boy was arrested while in possession of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad flag and Molotov cocktails, a scene that underscores the persistent volatility in areas already strained by competition over rights and governance.

Looking ahead, observers emphasize that the ceasefire has held in practical terms for now, but the political and security landscape remains fragile. domestically, debates over judicial reform and leadership accountability are shaping public confidence and policy direction, while regionally, the architecture of diplomacy remains focused on the Gaza ceasefire’s durability and the broader goal of a negotiated peace that addresses security concerns, humanitarian needs, and political legitimacy for both Israelis and Palestinians.

This hour’s snapshot reflects a moment when domestic political battles intersect with regional diplomacy, and when cautious optimism about a negotiated path forward sits beside persistent threats and unresolved grievances. The US and regional partners continue to frame the crisis in terms of ceasefire, hostage and body recovery, and a shared commitment to diplomacy as the guiding principle for ending the current cycle of violence and advancing a sustainable peace.

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.timesofisrael.com/knesset-speaker-doesnt-invite-supreme-court-chief-ag-to-attend-trumps-speech/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rj5pwqsael
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-october-14-2025/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-870382
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870381