Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-31 at 09:07
Update: 2025-10-31
Description
HEADLINES
Israel sacks military advocate over detainee video
Xi drives open trade diplomacy at APEC
Hostage talks stall as Leviathan deal falters
The time is now 5:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. At five o’clock in the morning, the headlines reflect a region balancing hard security realities with sensitive diplomacy, domestic pressures, and shifting global currents.
In Jerusalem, a development inside the security establishment marks a noteworthy shift. Defense Minister Israel Katz has dismissed IDF Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, stating she cannot return to her post amid suspicions tied to a probe into a leaked video showing detainee abuse at Sde Teiman. The move comes days after Tomer-Yerushalmi was placed on leave as investigators pursued questions about links to the inquiry surrounding the footage. The government says a new acting military advocate general will be named soon, and that the appointment of a permanent chief military prosecutor will follow in line with established procedure.
On the international stage, the United States and its allies are watching a changing dynamic in Asia. With President Trump skipping the APEC summit, President Xi Jinping of China used the occasion to press a message of free trade diplomacy, signaling a potential rebalancing of regional leadership. Analysts say Xi’s emphasis on open trade arrangements and multilateral engagement could influence how security and economic ties are managed across the Indo-Pacific, even as US policy remains focused on maintaining security commitments and stabilizing allies in the face of broader strategic competition.
Within Israel, concerns at home continue to surface alongside the war’s wider dimensions. A former police officer who has been documented as PTSD-positive reportedly self-immolated outside the residence of the defense ministry’s rehabilitation head, in what hospital officials described as a severe and life-threatening incident. Paramedics evacuated the individual to a hospital for treatment. The episode underscores the toll of the conflict and the broader trauma challenges facing security personnel, veterans, and civilians alike.
In cultural and religious exchange, a landmark anniversary has drawn international attention. The Vatican observed the 60th anniversary of the Catholic Church’s Nostra Aetate, the declaration that redefined Catholic relations with the Jewish people. Across briefings and discussions, observers note a renewed, albeit cautious, optimism about Catholic-Jewish dialogue in a period when the war in Gaza has strained ties and raised questions about how words translate into actions on the ground. The conversation centers on long-standing efforts rooted in the Second Vatican Council, with new papal leadership signaling interest in continuing efforts to build mutual understanding while facing political realities in the Middle East.
Domestically in Israel’s defense and security sphere, officials announced steps to address a surge of concerns about accountability and legal norms within the armed forces. A senior official stated that a special tribunal would be established to prosecute Hamas Nukhba operatives responsible for the October 7 attacks, with an oversight committee to discuss policy matters around trials while avoiding discussion of individual cases. The defense minister also indicated a plan to appoint a new chief military prosecutor promptly, while acknowledging the seriousness of the charges that prompted the inquiry into the earlier video leak.
In Washington, the US administration asserted a clear stance on the Gaza situation, balancing support for Israel’s security with ongoing constraints on escalation. Defense conversations have emphasized the United States’ readiness to stoutly defend American and allied interests in the region, including in the context of tensions with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea. At the same time, Washington has moved to tighten how it manages the Gaza deal, with movement stalled as Hamas negotiates over hostages and related concessions. The situation remains that two hostages have been returned, but eleven remain in Gaza.
Energy markets and security of supply also feature in today’s headlines. The Leviathan gas export deal, valued at about $35 billion, with Egypt remains a flashpoint. Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen has delayed final approval of the package until prices are deemed fair for the Israeli market. US officials had urged quick resolution of the deal, reflecting the broader theme of sustained energy ties in the region, while also highlighting the domestic need to balance export revenues with domestic energy security. In the background, the US Energy Secretary’s planned visit to Israel was canceled over the dispute, signaling a rare public rupture with the administration over how to align energy policy with diplomacy and security commitments.
Security dynamics along Israel’s borders and in neighboring Gaza remain tense. Reports from the region indicate continued Israeli activity in eastern Khan Younis, including claims of intensified strikes and the use of unmanned systems to target structures near Al-Uda School in Abasan al-Kabira. Palestinian authorities in Gaza report casualties and damage as operations persist on the ground. Across the litany of incidents, the common thread is the reality that tactical gains and humanitarian concerns are in constant negotiation, with international actors watching closely and weighing how to respond.
Lebanon and the wider Levant offer a different but related pulse. Unconfirmed Lebanese reports describe a drone strike attributed to an Israeli unmanned system on a motorcycle in the town of Qunin in southern Lebanon, with casualties cited. The landscape remains fragile, with cross-border spillover a persistent risk as militias, state actors, and local authorities navigate the fog of war and diplomacy.
Within the diaspora and policy debates, voices call for accountability and resilience. The Meitar Law Firm’s commemorative efforts honoring an ex-hostage, Omri Miran, illustrate ongoing attention to hostages and families affected by the conflict. Debates and commentary—some critical of leadership decisions, others defending security imperatives—continue to shape public opinion across Jewish communities and global audiences.
On the ground while diplomacy and debate rattle along, recent grim human stories remind audiences that the conflict’s human cost remains high. A newborn’s death at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, less than a day after birth, linked to a rare complication of vacuum childbirth, underscores the fragility of life even as larger political and military currents swirl around.
Impressions from the broader world reflect a conversation about alliance, leadership, and the path to regional stability. The United States remains a central ally for Israel, while China’s leadership at multilateral forums signals alternate approaches to economic and security cooperation in the region. The Vatican’s anniversary dialogue with Jewish communities offers a reminder that cultural and religious bridges still have resonance even when political lines are redrawn.
Finally, as Israel continues to navigate domestic governance and security challenges, the government signals that it will replace key legal and military posts as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure the rule of law within the armed forces. The next days will likely bring further decisions on how best to balance security needs with legal norms and international expectations.
That is the morning briefing at five. We will monitor developments and bring you updates as events unfold.
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-872298
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872297
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872295
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247021
https://www.timesofisrael.com/friday-focus-with-lazar-berman-new-hope-for-catholic-jewish-ties/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-872254
https://worldisraelnews.com/the-dangerous-silence-of-liberal-jewish-leaders-on-mamdani-opinion/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjemwlmjbg
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872290
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872288
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-new
Israel sacks military advocate over detainee video
Xi drives open trade diplomacy at APEC
Hostage talks stall as Leviathan deal falters
The time is now 5:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. At five o’clock in the morning, the headlines reflect a region balancing hard security realities with sensitive diplomacy, domestic pressures, and shifting global currents.
In Jerusalem, a development inside the security establishment marks a noteworthy shift. Defense Minister Israel Katz has dismissed IDF Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, stating she cannot return to her post amid suspicions tied to a probe into a leaked video showing detainee abuse at Sde Teiman. The move comes days after Tomer-Yerushalmi was placed on leave as investigators pursued questions about links to the inquiry surrounding the footage. The government says a new acting military advocate general will be named soon, and that the appointment of a permanent chief military prosecutor will follow in line with established procedure.
On the international stage, the United States and its allies are watching a changing dynamic in Asia. With President Trump skipping the APEC summit, President Xi Jinping of China used the occasion to press a message of free trade diplomacy, signaling a potential rebalancing of regional leadership. Analysts say Xi’s emphasis on open trade arrangements and multilateral engagement could influence how security and economic ties are managed across the Indo-Pacific, even as US policy remains focused on maintaining security commitments and stabilizing allies in the face of broader strategic competition.
Within Israel, concerns at home continue to surface alongside the war’s wider dimensions. A former police officer who has been documented as PTSD-positive reportedly self-immolated outside the residence of the defense ministry’s rehabilitation head, in what hospital officials described as a severe and life-threatening incident. Paramedics evacuated the individual to a hospital for treatment. The episode underscores the toll of the conflict and the broader trauma challenges facing security personnel, veterans, and civilians alike.
In cultural and religious exchange, a landmark anniversary has drawn international attention. The Vatican observed the 60th anniversary of the Catholic Church’s Nostra Aetate, the declaration that redefined Catholic relations with the Jewish people. Across briefings and discussions, observers note a renewed, albeit cautious, optimism about Catholic-Jewish dialogue in a period when the war in Gaza has strained ties and raised questions about how words translate into actions on the ground. The conversation centers on long-standing efforts rooted in the Second Vatican Council, with new papal leadership signaling interest in continuing efforts to build mutual understanding while facing political realities in the Middle East.
Domestically in Israel’s defense and security sphere, officials announced steps to address a surge of concerns about accountability and legal norms within the armed forces. A senior official stated that a special tribunal would be established to prosecute Hamas Nukhba operatives responsible for the October 7 attacks, with an oversight committee to discuss policy matters around trials while avoiding discussion of individual cases. The defense minister also indicated a plan to appoint a new chief military prosecutor promptly, while acknowledging the seriousness of the charges that prompted the inquiry into the earlier video leak.
In Washington, the US administration asserted a clear stance on the Gaza situation, balancing support for Israel’s security with ongoing constraints on escalation. Defense conversations have emphasized the United States’ readiness to stoutly defend American and allied interests in the region, including in the context of tensions with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea. At the same time, Washington has moved to tighten how it manages the Gaza deal, with movement stalled as Hamas negotiates over hostages and related concessions. The situation remains that two hostages have been returned, but eleven remain in Gaza.
Energy markets and security of supply also feature in today’s headlines. The Leviathan gas export deal, valued at about $35 billion, with Egypt remains a flashpoint. Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen has delayed final approval of the package until prices are deemed fair for the Israeli market. US officials had urged quick resolution of the deal, reflecting the broader theme of sustained energy ties in the region, while also highlighting the domestic need to balance export revenues with domestic energy security. In the background, the US Energy Secretary’s planned visit to Israel was canceled over the dispute, signaling a rare public rupture with the administration over how to align energy policy with diplomacy and security commitments.
Security dynamics along Israel’s borders and in neighboring Gaza remain tense. Reports from the region indicate continued Israeli activity in eastern Khan Younis, including claims of intensified strikes and the use of unmanned systems to target structures near Al-Uda School in Abasan al-Kabira. Palestinian authorities in Gaza report casualties and damage as operations persist on the ground. Across the litany of incidents, the common thread is the reality that tactical gains and humanitarian concerns are in constant negotiation, with international actors watching closely and weighing how to respond.
Lebanon and the wider Levant offer a different but related pulse. Unconfirmed Lebanese reports describe a drone strike attributed to an Israeli unmanned system on a motorcycle in the town of Qunin in southern Lebanon, with casualties cited. The landscape remains fragile, with cross-border spillover a persistent risk as militias, state actors, and local authorities navigate the fog of war and diplomacy.
Within the diaspora and policy debates, voices call for accountability and resilience. The Meitar Law Firm’s commemorative efforts honoring an ex-hostage, Omri Miran, illustrate ongoing attention to hostages and families affected by the conflict. Debates and commentary—some critical of leadership decisions, others defending security imperatives—continue to shape public opinion across Jewish communities and global audiences.
On the ground while diplomacy and debate rattle along, recent grim human stories remind audiences that the conflict’s human cost remains high. A newborn’s death at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, less than a day after birth, linked to a rare complication of vacuum childbirth, underscores the fragility of life even as larger political and military currents swirl around.
Impressions from the broader world reflect a conversation about alliance, leadership, and the path to regional stability. The United States remains a central ally for Israel, while China’s leadership at multilateral forums signals alternate approaches to economic and security cooperation in the region. The Vatican’s anniversary dialogue with Jewish communities offers a reminder that cultural and religious bridges still have resonance even when political lines are redrawn.
Finally, as Israel continues to navigate domestic governance and security challenges, the government signals that it will replace key legal and military posts as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure the rule of law within the armed forces. The next days will likely bring further decisions on how best to balance security needs with legal norms and international expectations.
That is the morning briefing at five. We will monitor developments and bring you updates as events unfold.
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-872298
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872297
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872295
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247021
https://www.timesofisrael.com/friday-focus-with-lazar-berman-new-hope-for-catholic-jewish-ties/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-872254
https://worldisraelnews.com/the-dangerous-silence-of-liberal-jewish-leaders-on-mamdani-opinion/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjemwlmjbg
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872290
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872288
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-new
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