Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-28 at 20:05
Update: 2025-10-28
Description
HEADLINES
Hamas Blames Israel Over Hostage Remains
Ceasefire Holds Despite Skirmishes US Officials Say
Israel Slashes 125 Million Shekels Budget
The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 4:00 PM update on the Middle East.
A Hamas official, in an interview with Al Jazeera, placed blame for delays in returning the remains of hostages on Israel. The statement said Hamas has exerted every possible effort to recover the bodies and argued that Israel bears full responsibility for any holdups in retrieving those still in Gaza. Israeli officials have said the issue is tied to that broader ceasefire framework and to negotiations over the fate of remains, with accusations that Hamas is stalling and staging what it calls “discoveries” for outside audiences.
On the ground, the ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, according to US officials, including remarks from Vice President who said the ceasefire is holding despite occasional exchanges of fire. He noted that smaller skirmishes may occur but expressed confidence that the framework, including the plan associated with past talks, can endure if all sides adhere to commitments.
In Israel, Budget Minister Amir Ohana announced a 125 million shekel cut to the 2025 budget, with the slate of funds redirected to the treasury to bolster the economy amid ongoing domestic challenges. The move is part of a broader debate about how to balance security needs with economic pressures as the conflict persists.
A new advocacy group named Movement Against Antizionism, described in interviews as a pro‑Israel organization, aims to highlight what it characterizes as rising anti‑Zionist sentiment and what it calls dangerous narratives. The group emphasizes concerns about anti‑Zionist rhetoric and its impact on Jewish communities.
Overseas reporting and domestic commentary continue to intersect with the Gaza situation. In New York, coverage has highlighted debates around how a public figure’s statements about Israel and the war are framed, underscoring how foreign policy echoes into domestic political disputes.
Israeli security leaders have emphasized a hard line in response to violations of the ceasefire. The head of the IDF, along with Prime Minister and defense officials, reiterated that Hamas has obligations to return the deceased hostages and warned that any breach—such as attacks on soldiers or other violations—will be met with a strong response. They stressed that the military will not overlook violations and will pursue every option to secure the return of all hostages for burial.
The Israeli defense establishment has signaled readiness to expand operations should Hamas fail to meet commitments under the ceasefire. Discussions with the United States are underway to determine the scope of any potential expansion into Gaza as a reaction to ongoing violations and to pressures related to hostages’ remains. Israeli officials have pointed to recent strikes in Gaza City and elsewhere as part of an intensified effort to deter further violations and to defend soldiers operating in the field.
International humanitarian actors pressed for careful handling of hostages’ remains. The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that its role as a neutral intermediary does not include removing bodies from the ground, and it urged all sides to treat remains with dignity and to prevent politicization of the process. The ICRC also noted the challenging conditions on the ground and underscored the need for transparency and adherence to international humanitarian law.
Families of the missing and former captives spoke of the enduring pain and the urgent demand for closure. They described the emotional toll of the long wait and urged solidarity and unity within Israeli society to keep the pressure on authorities to secure releases and recover all remains.
In related developments, reporting has continued about the broader conflict timeline: the war began after Hamas attacks in October 2023, with hundreds of hostages taken and a substantial number remaining in Gaza. The ongoing dispute over the fate of those hostages—living or deceased—remains a central hinge in any potential expansion of the ceasefire or broader negotiations. Military and political leaders reiterated that those responsible for violations will face consequences, and they pledged to sustain pressure until all hostages are accounted for and returned.
Looking ahead, the international community remains focused on preserving the ceasefire while amplifying efforts to resolve the hostage issue and deter further escalations. Washington and other mediators are weighing steps to maintain stability, support humanitarian access, and encourage adherence to commitments by all parties involved. The coming days are likely to hinge on concrete actions by Hamas to honor its obligations, the precision and scale of Israeli responses to any violations, and continued diplomacy behind the scenes to keep the ceasefire intact while addressing the deeply rooted security concerns on both sides.
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-871965
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-871975
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-871971
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-871973
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-871970
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-871972
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-871968
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-871967
https://t.me/newssil/176836
https://worldisraelnews.com/gop-congressman-says-mamdani-should-lose-citizenship-over-pro-hamas-statements/
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56673
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56672
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246108
https://t.me/newssil/176835
https://t.me/newssil/176834
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjdz29cagg
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246105
https://t.me/newssil/176833
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246102
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246100
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-871963
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246099
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-strikes-said-to-kill-7-in-gaza-as-israel-vows-hamas-will-pay-for-violations/
https://t.me/newssil/176832
https://worldisraelnews.com/hamas-refuses-to-release-body-of-hostage-claims-israels-retaliation-violated-ceasefire/
https://t.me/newssil/176830
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246098
https://t.me/newssil/176829
https://worldisraelnews.com/mainstream-media-lament-deportation-of-foreign-journalist-who-celebrated-oct-7/
https://t.me/newssil/176828
https://t.me/newssil/176827
<
Hamas Blames Israel Over Hostage Remains
Ceasefire Holds Despite Skirmishes US Officials Say
Israel Slashes 125 Million Shekels Budget
The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 4:00 PM update on the Middle East.
A Hamas official, in an interview with Al Jazeera, placed blame for delays in returning the remains of hostages on Israel. The statement said Hamas has exerted every possible effort to recover the bodies and argued that Israel bears full responsibility for any holdups in retrieving those still in Gaza. Israeli officials have said the issue is tied to that broader ceasefire framework and to negotiations over the fate of remains, with accusations that Hamas is stalling and staging what it calls “discoveries” for outside audiences.
On the ground, the ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, according to US officials, including remarks from Vice President who said the ceasefire is holding despite occasional exchanges of fire. He noted that smaller skirmishes may occur but expressed confidence that the framework, including the plan associated with past talks, can endure if all sides adhere to commitments.
In Israel, Budget Minister Amir Ohana announced a 125 million shekel cut to the 2025 budget, with the slate of funds redirected to the treasury to bolster the economy amid ongoing domestic challenges. The move is part of a broader debate about how to balance security needs with economic pressures as the conflict persists.
A new advocacy group named Movement Against Antizionism, described in interviews as a pro‑Israel organization, aims to highlight what it characterizes as rising anti‑Zionist sentiment and what it calls dangerous narratives. The group emphasizes concerns about anti‑Zionist rhetoric and its impact on Jewish communities.
Overseas reporting and domestic commentary continue to intersect with the Gaza situation. In New York, coverage has highlighted debates around how a public figure’s statements about Israel and the war are framed, underscoring how foreign policy echoes into domestic political disputes.
Israeli security leaders have emphasized a hard line in response to violations of the ceasefire. The head of the IDF, along with Prime Minister and defense officials, reiterated that Hamas has obligations to return the deceased hostages and warned that any breach—such as attacks on soldiers or other violations—will be met with a strong response. They stressed that the military will not overlook violations and will pursue every option to secure the return of all hostages for burial.
The Israeli defense establishment has signaled readiness to expand operations should Hamas fail to meet commitments under the ceasefire. Discussions with the United States are underway to determine the scope of any potential expansion into Gaza as a reaction to ongoing violations and to pressures related to hostages’ remains. Israeli officials have pointed to recent strikes in Gaza City and elsewhere as part of an intensified effort to deter further violations and to defend soldiers operating in the field.
International humanitarian actors pressed for careful handling of hostages’ remains. The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that its role as a neutral intermediary does not include removing bodies from the ground, and it urged all sides to treat remains with dignity and to prevent politicization of the process. The ICRC also noted the challenging conditions on the ground and underscored the need for transparency and adherence to international humanitarian law.
Families of the missing and former captives spoke of the enduring pain and the urgent demand for closure. They described the emotional toll of the long wait and urged solidarity and unity within Israeli society to keep the pressure on authorities to secure releases and recover all remains.
In related developments, reporting has continued about the broader conflict timeline: the war began after Hamas attacks in October 2023, with hundreds of hostages taken and a substantial number remaining in Gaza. The ongoing dispute over the fate of those hostages—living or deceased—remains a central hinge in any potential expansion of the ceasefire or broader negotiations. Military and political leaders reiterated that those responsible for violations will face consequences, and they pledged to sustain pressure until all hostages are accounted for and returned.
Looking ahead, the international community remains focused on preserving the ceasefire while amplifying efforts to resolve the hostage issue and deter further escalations. Washington and other mediators are weighing steps to maintain stability, support humanitarian access, and encourage adherence to commitments by all parties involved. The coming days are likely to hinge on concrete actions by Hamas to honor its obligations, the precision and scale of Israeli responses to any violations, and continued diplomacy behind the scenes to keep the ceasefire intact while addressing the deeply rooted security concerns on both sides.
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-871965
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-871975
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-871971
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-871973
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-871970
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-871972
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-871968
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-871967
https://t.me/newssil/176836
https://worldisraelnews.com/gop-congressman-says-mamdani-should-lose-citizenship-over-pro-hamas-statements/
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56673
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56672
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246108
https://t.me/newssil/176835
https://t.me/newssil/176834
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjdz29cagg
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246105
https://t.me/newssil/176833
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246102
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246100
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-871963
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246099
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-strikes-said-to-kill-7-in-gaza-as-israel-vows-hamas-will-pay-for-violations/
https://t.me/newssil/176832
https://worldisraelnews.com/hamas-refuses-to-release-body-of-hostage-claims-israels-retaliation-violated-ceasefire/
https://t.me/newssil/176830
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1246098
https://t.me/newssil/176829
https://worldisraelnews.com/mainstream-media-lament-deportation-of-foreign-journalist-who-celebrated-oct-7/
https://t.me/newssil/176828
https://t.me/newssil/176827
<
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