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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-10 at 13:05
HEADLINES
Israel completes Yellow Line pullback under ceasefire
72 hour hostage release window opens
Rafah to reopen under EU monitoring
The time is now 9:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This morning, a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is in effect, with Israeli forces completing the first phase of withdrawal to the agreed lines and Gazans beginning to move back toward homes in some areas. Israel’s military says the pullback to the “Yellow Line” has been completed, while maintaining a fortified position along other sectors of the Gaza Strip as part of the staged agreement. In parallel, the truce opens a 72-hour window for the return of hostages held by Hamas, with the expectation that those who are still alive will come home within that period.
On the humanitarian front, the settlement includes a plan for a substantial flow of aid into Gaza. Approximately 600 trucks carrying humanitarian relief are projected to move daily through various crossings, with the Rafah border crossing set to resume operations soon under European Union monitoring. Italian defense officials have confirmed that Rafah will reopen in an alternating two-way pattern beginning October 14, subject to Israel and Egypt’s approval, and that coordination is underway to restore infrastructure to support the traffic. The broader framework envisions ongoing coordination among international partners to facilitate aid, medical care, and reconstruction as the ceasefire takes hold.
Within the terms of the hostage-exchange deal, Israel is slated to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, in exchange for the return of hostages from Gaza. An additional portion of Gazan detainees, numbering in the thousands, are affected by the agreement, with some high-profile cases excluded from release. The process is set to unfold over the next three to four days, with families of the hostages watching closely as the accord moves from signing to implementation.
Israeli officials say the ceasefire is not a return to business as usual, but a measured step designed to prevent further bloodshed while addressing deeply rooted security concerns. A senior military spokesperson emphasized that Hamas is not the same organization it was two years ago, noting that “Hamas has been defeated wherever we fought them,” and urging civilians in Gaza to stay clear of areas controlled by Israeli forces during the transition. The army also signaled readiness to respond if hostilities resume or if Hamas violates the terms of the deal, underscoring the enduring security imperative behind the operation.
Internationally, the ceasefire has drawn a range of responses. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that any renewed fighting would carry serious consequences, a reminder of the broader regional sensitivities surrounding Gaza. The United States, through CENTCOM and other channels, has been closely involved in validating the withdrawal milestones and the timing of hostage-release periods, while European Union monitors prepare to support cross-border movement at Rafah. In the broader regional context, analysts observe that the pause in Gaza fighting could influence security calculations across neighboring states, particularly given continued concern about Iranian proxies and regional alignments.
Domestically, Israeli politics have been affected by the hostage-deal timing. A recent poll indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party gained seats following the announcement, while opposition blocs appeared to lose ground and the coordinates of a potential new coalition shifted. Security and public support for decisive action against Hamas remain central to the political narrative as the country braces for the day-after scenarios that follow the ceasefire’s first phase.
Looking ahead, the core questions
Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago