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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-04 at 21:04
HEADLINES
- Hamas Backs US Plan for Ceasefire
- Disarmament Standoff Stalls Gaza Talks
- Israeli Hawks Threaten Resign Over Pact
The time is now 5:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 5:00 PM update. The pause in the Gaza fighting remains tied to Hamas’s formal acceptance of a plan backed by Israel and mediated by the United States. Israel has framed an initial withdrawal line as the benchmark for a ceasefire, with the pause taking effect immediately once Hamas confirms the arrangement. The plan also envisions the exchange of hostages and detainees beginning at once, followed by staged steps designed to lay the groundwork for a broader end to the war.
President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, asserted that Israel agreed to the withdrawal line and that, once Hamas signs, the ceasefire would come into effect immediately, with hostage releases and prisoner swaps starting promptly. Mediators say Hamas indicated acceptance in principle but has voiced reservations about some clauses, and technical talks are planned in Egypt to work out practical details of releases and withdrawal.
On the ground, the Israeli Defense Forces have halted offensive operations in Gaza City and shifted to a defensive posture, while continuing strikes against targets deemed a threat. In Gaza, the death toll remains staggering, with more than 67,000 people reported killed by the Hamas-run health ministry, including many civilians; hospitals remain stretched, and the World Health Organization notes that 22 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are no longer fully operational. Across Gaza, tunnels and other Hamas military facilities continue to be a focus of mapping and planning as security concerns persist.
Hamas says it accepts the plan in principle but conditions further talks on disarmament and the future governance of Gaza. Israel has pressed for guarantees that the areas Israel would vacate will not be reoccupied by Hamas or its militants, and for clarity on how many living hostages will be released and how many prisoners will be freed. The dispute over disarmament remains a central point as negotiations proceed.
Domestically, Israel’s political leadership faces pressure from hawkish voices. Itamar Ben-Gvir has warned he could resign if the government reaches an agreement seen as leaving Hamas in power, while Bezalel Smotrich has called the approach a grave mistake and urged a tougher line in negotiations conducted under fire. Prime Minister Netanyahu has projected cautious optimism, saying the country is close to a major breakthrough but emphasizing that security guarantees must be in place.
In the regional arena, Hezbollah’s leadership questions the risks of the US plan. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem described the proposal as dangerous and said the decision to back it rests with Hamas, warning that the group would remain a factor in the region even as talks continue. The Lebanese stance to press for disarmament of such forces reflects ongoing pressure on Iran’s network in the area.
Diplomats in Doha, Cairo, and Ankara indicate talks will continue to translate political commitments into practical steps on the ground. The United States, along with regional mediators, seeks a credible path to a ceasefire and to a staged Israeli withdrawal, while ensuring that Hamas can be held to its commitments and that security for Israelis endures.
Humanitarian concerns remain acute. The war has inflicted vast casualties and a humanitarian crisis that complicates any pause. Aid access and medical care remain constrained, even as some civilians seek to return to damaged neighborhoods amid continued security warnings. International observers emphasize the need for reliable life-saving aid and clear guarantees that civil life can resume safely.
Outside the Gaza theater, a separate security incident in
Published on 1 month ago