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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-11 at 11:05
HEADLINES
Ceasefire holds as hostage handovers loom
Iran proxies falter as Turkey rises
Hezbollah clashes flare on Lebanon border
The time is now 7:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
The hour begins with the continuing thunder of a war paused by a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas announced in Sharm el-Sheikh. The framework aims to end the fighting in phases, anchored by the release of hostages and a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, starting with a first phase designed to separate combatants from civilians and set the stage for longer-term arrangements. Officials say Hamas could advance the handover to Sunday as a goodwill gesture to President Donald Trump, who has signaled plans to visit the region next week and has long urged a peace-through-strength approach in the Middle East.
On the ground, Gazans and Israelis are testing the pause. Thousands of Palestinians have moved north along the Gaza coast toward their homes as the ceasefire appears to hold and Israeli troops pull back from areas covered by the first phase. Across the border, Israeli security forces have pressed to contain any flare-ups while preparing for the next steps in the agreement.
In Washington, US policymakers emphasize a close partnership with Israel as they oversee implementation of the deal. American troops have arrived in Israel to monitor the ceasefire, coordinate with regional partners, and help ensure that the commitments agreed in Sharm el-Sheikh are observed. The US posture keeps a steady emphasis on security for Israel, while supporting humanitarian relief and regional stability.
Looking at the broader regional arc, assessments in Jerusalem and allied capitals suggest Iran’s proxies have suffered setbacks in their ability to project power in the Shiite axis. The campaign aimed at curbing Tehran’s reach has produced measurable stress on these networks, even as Tehran remains a factor in designating future risk. The momentary easing of war in Gaza has altered calculations for Iran’s partners and for adversaries across the region, including Turkey, which is positioning itself as a consequential regional player.
Turkey’s role looms large in the evolving environment. The United States has acknowledged Turkey as a central regional power, reinforcing Ankara’s security and diplomatic initiatives while Turkey seeks to upgrade its air defenses and expand its presence in Gaza and in northern Syria, all while maintaining lines with Russia. The dynamic underscores a shift in regional power centers as Israel, its partners, and adversaries recalibrate their strategies in a post-ceasefire landscape.
In Lebanon, the Israeli military says it has continued strikes against Hezbollah targets along the border and in south Lebanon. Recent operations hit Hezbollah sites described as part of an effort to rebuild terror infrastructure, including a cache of weapons and heavy equipment. The Lebanese presidency condemned the cross-border actions as a violation of the ceasefire commitments that followed the broader conflict, and Lebanese officials report casualties and significant damage in affected areas.
The hostages remain a focal point of the talks. Israeli authorities and Hamas officials have signaled a willingness to proceed with the handovers, while aid groups and international observers monitor the humanitarian dimension of the pause. The count of hostages still held in Gaza emphasizes the fragility of the moment and the persistent risks that could trigger a new cycle of violence if the deal falters.
In the domestic arena, Israel continues to confront the human cost of the war. Nova Music Festival survivor Roi Shalev, 30, from Nitzanei Oz and partner of Mapal Adam, died by suicide after enduring trauma from the attack that claimed many lives during the festival near Re’im. The
Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago