Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-05 at 02:09
HEADLINES
Cairo talks push to free Gaza hostages
Hamas factions split over disarmament terms
Israel braces as Yemen missile threat looms
The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Tonight’s update focuses on the unfolding effort to end the Gaza war and the security situation surrounding it, alongside related international and domestic developments.
Israel and its partners are moving into the next phase of the US-led effort to end the war and secure the release of hostages in Gaza. Talks are due to begin in Cairo on Monday with a negotiating team led by Ron Dermer, joined by Gal Hirsch, Ophir Falk, and senior security officials from Shin Bet and Mossad, alongside the IDF and other Israeli agencies. Egypt will host delegations from Hamas and Israel, as part of the plan outlined by the United States to secure the release of living hostages in a first stage, followed by a broader ceasefire and prisoner exchanges. Officials say the countdown to the full release of the living hostages will begin once a mechanism for releases is finalized, with discussions also focusing on the framework for the ceasefire and Palestinian prisoner releases. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that the aim is to free all hostages in the initial phase while allowing the IDF to redeploy to positions in Gaza to ensure ongoing security and the ability to oversee the situation. President Trump has presented the plan as Netanyahu’s path to victory, urging rapid progress and suggesting that all hostages should be freed promptly; Trump also noted that he and Netanyahu had engineered a diplomatic shift designed to isolate Hamas and support a negotiated outcome.
On the Hamas side, reporting indicates internal divisions over disarmament. Some Hamas leaders outside Gaza have expressed openness to surrendering offensive weapons as part of a broader settlement, while other commanders argue against ceding control of weapons and fear the loss of fighters and influence. The discussions in Cairo are expected to address how disarmament would be verified and what form a demilitarized Gaza would take, with mediators seeking a mechanism that could unlock the first stage of a hostage release and move the process forward.
Israel’s security situation continues to be shaped by external threats as well. The Israel Defense Forces identified a missile launch from Yemen toward Israeli territory, and air defenses were engaged as warnings were issued for Jerusalem and parts of central Israel. In addition, air defense systems were mobilized as authorities urged residents to follow the guidance of civil defense teams and shelter in place when directed. The incident underscores the ongoing regional risks that complicate efforts to achieve a durable ceasefire and a stable humanitarian arrangement for Gaza.
Within Israel, domestic political pressures also shape the path forward. Prime Minister Netanyahu held a lengthy meeting with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has warned that his faction could withdraw from the governing coalition if Hamas remains a factor after the hostage releases. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has criticized the pause in offensive military operations in Gaza, saying the decision represented a serious mistake. The discussions reflect a tension between security objectives and political considerations as Israel seeks to preserve a unified approach to the crisis while navigating coalition dynamics.
Security in southern and central communities remains tense. A deadly shooting in Rahat, a Bedouin community in the Negev, left a 20-year-old man dead and a 29-year-old man wounded in what authorities say appears to be part of an ongoing local blood feud. Police and paramedics have deployed large forces to pursue suspects and restore order as the broader security situation remains precarious in several fr
Published on 1 month ago