Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-07 at 17:07
HEADLINES
- Cairo pushes Gaza truce, hostage release
- Biden backs phased withdrawal plan
- Gaza toll tops 67,000 dead
The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good afternoon. At 1:00 PM in Jerusalem, the focus across the region remains on the Gaza ceasefire talks, the hostage release plan, and the wider security environment that touches Israel’s borders from the Mediterranean to the Gulf.
In Cairo, indirect talks brokered by Egypt and with US involvement are moving into a decisive phase. The shared aim is a first phase that would establish a truce, secure the release of hostages, and permit an initial Israeli withdrawal from portions of Gaza. Officials familiar with the negotiations say progress is tangible, but the parties still differ on details that require practical interpretation on the ground. Hamas has pressing demands for guarantees and a clear timetable for Israel’s withdrawal, reflecting long-standing concerns that any agreement must be credible and verifiable. Qatar’s mediator in the talks said that if Hamas hands over the remaining hostages, that would mark a significant milestone toward ending the war, though it remains early to declare final agreements. Israel has publicly endorsed the framework, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaling support, yet the plan has not yet been approved by the cabinet or the Knesset, and discussions continue in the hours ahead.
In Washington, the administration and its allies are pressing for progress. The White House has described ongoing conversations in Egypt as constructive, underscoring a 21-point framework tied to the Trump-era plan that envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal, the release of all remaining hostages, and corresponding concessions to reduce Hamas’s leverage. President Donald Trump has voiced optimism that a deal is within reach and has stressed the importance of ensuring all sides comply with any agreement, reflecting his stated aim of ending the conflict and preventing a return to violence. His team has indicated that there are red lines and safeguards to protect hostage families and to deter backsliding from any commitments reached at the talks.
On the ground in Gaza and along the border, the Israeli military continues to balance restraint with readiness. While the Israeli army has halted offensive operations in Gaza as talks proceed, it has stressed that its priority remains the security of troops and civilians. There have been strikes attributed to Israeli forces in the Hamas-run territory, including targets in Khan Younis and Rafah, aimed at degrading Hamas’s capabilities and preventing attacks on Israeli forces. Medical authorities in Gaza report that more than 67,000 people have been killed or are presumed dead in the fighting, a toll that underscores the humanitarian cost of the conflict. Israel has said it has killed a substantial number of militants in Gaza and has noted casualties on the Palestinian side, alongside repeated assertions that it seeks to minimize civilian harm and to avoid using civilians as human shields.
Two years after the October 7 assault, Hamas marked the anniversary with statements suggesting it views the episode as a turning point and reaffirming its goals, including a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the return of displaced Palestinians. Hamas officials and affiliated media described the day as a milestone in their ongoing effort to rally support and press for a settlement that would end the war on terms favorable to their leadership and objectives.
Security during the holiday period remains a top priority for Israel. The Chief of Staff directed the highest level of readiness for the duration of the Sukkot holiday, ordering drills, enhanced posture, and focused protection of critical events and gatherings. The defense establishment seeks to ensur
Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago