HEADLINES
- US-Led Gaza Relief Hub Expands Coalition
- Hamas Tunnels 60% Intact Near Yellow Line
- Hamas Forms Independent Postwar Gaza Technocratic Committee

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. This is the five o’clock update on developments in Israel, Gaza, and the wider Middle East as the ceasefire enters a careful, monitored phase and international partners broaden their role.

First, the United States has expanded its coordination in Gaza through a Civil-Military Coordination Center established in southern Israel. The center is designed to synchronize humanitarian relief, logistics, and security assistance for Gaza, and it is backed by a growing coalition that includes Britain, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. American personnel are on site to help provide an independent view of ground conditions and to facilitate the flow of aid through international channels. Surveillance aircraft are now overflying Gaza with Israel’s consent to monitor ceasefire compliance and humanitarian movements, while officials emphasize that this arrangement is meant to support stabilization without a direct military presence inside Gaza.

Turning to Gaza, Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that about sixty percent of Hamas’s tunnel network remains intact. He noted that a portion of these tunnels lies near the Yellow Line, the boundary from which Israeli forces withdrew at the outset of the ceasefire. Israeli officials stress that the destruction of Hamas’s underground infrastructure remains a central objective, alongside efforts to restore civil order in Gaza after more than two years of conflict. Israeli authorities have previously estimated that roughly a quarter of the tunnels have been eliminated since fighting began, with the balance posing ongoing security considerations for the region.

On the Palestinian side, Hamas and allied factions issued a joint statement signaling the formation of an independent technocratic committee to govern postwar Gaza. The announcement outlines a plan for administrative leadership, but observers caution that such a body would operate within the bounds of Hamas’s security and political influence. US officials, including Secretary of State, have reiterated that Hamas cannot participate in governing Gaza in the future, a position shared by partners aligned with the framework for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance that accompanied the ceasefire agreement. Analysts emphasize that the actual effect of any such committee would depend on how it is empowered and who ultimately controls security and policy in the aftermath of conflict.

International reaction to the mediation effort remains varied. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized multilateral institutions, arguing they have “stopped working” and labeling the Gaza crisis a genocide, as he prepared to engage with Donald Trump on the sidelines of regional diplomacy. His remarks reflect tensions within the broader international community over approaches to Gaza and the roles of global organizations in conflict resolution.

In Washington, officials have stressed that the ceasefire framework is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The Civil-Military Coordination Center is intended to coordinate relief and stabilization efforts and to facilitate the possible deployment of future support, should countries decide to participate in a postwar stabilizing mission. While American authorities stress that US personnel will not operate inside Gaza, the coordination hub is seen as a bridge between humanitarian needs and security realities on the ground, with an emphasis on preserving access for civilians and ensuring aid delivery remains unhindered.

Jordan’s government confirmed that it has not dispatched ground forces to Gaza. It did, however, send a representative to participate in the international effort to monitor and implement the ceasefire, underscoring regional interest in a stable outcome and in preventing spillover effects across borders.

Amid these ongoing efforts, the number of Israeli hostages remains a central concern. Reports indicate that thirteen bodies of hostages are still held in Gaza, even as negotiators press for progress in prisoner exchanges and the broader framework for postwar governance. The timing and sequencing of any exchanges continue to be a point of tension as all sides seek to define a path forward that avoids renewed violence and preserves humanitarian access.

On the domestic front, Israelis are preparing for the seasonal time change, as daylight saving time ends. Clocks will be turned back one hour at two o’clock in the morning on October twenty-six, 2025, marking the return to standard time. This change aligns with the European Union schedule, though it will not match the calendar followed by the United States, which returns to standard time on November second. The shift is a routine adjustment but holds practical significance for daily routines and international coordination as regional traffic and communication patterns adjust to the new time.

Looking ahead, officials warn that the road to a durable settlement remains uneven. The alliance around the ceasefire—comprising the United States and partner nations—seeks to balance security needs with humanitarian imperatives, while observers caution that any governance mechanism in Gaza would need to be resilient against interference and capable of delivering services without allowing Hamas to reassert its authority. The ceasefire’s long-term success will depend on continuous monitoring, credible enforcement, and a sustained international commitment that supports both civilian relief and the disarmament of armed groups in the territory.

In Washington, Jerusalem, and capitals across the region, governments will continue to watch closely how the various threads come together: the security of Israel, the fate of Gaza’s civilian population, the role of international mediators, and the prospects for a stable political arrangement that can endure beyond the current frame. This remains a developing situation, and further updates will reflect both on-the-ground realities and evolving diplomatic commitments.

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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