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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-12 at 17:06
HEADLINES
Gaza ceasefire holds as hostage window narrows
Israel widens focus to Iran and proxies
Saudi normalization hinges on new Israeli government
The time is now 1:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
The ceasefire in Gaza appears to be holding for now, but crucial questions about enforcement, consequences for violations, and the longer-term political architecture of the deal remain unresolved. The terms envisioned a ceasefire that is supported by a broader diplomatic effort, with the aim of stabilizing Gaza, resuming humanitarian aid, and laying groundwork for future diplomacy. Yet observers note that the agreement relies on mechanisms yet to be tested, and that both sides carry obligations that will be scrutinized in the hours ahead as the window for hostage releases and prisoner exchanges narrows.
On the battlefield, Israel’s leadership has framed the current pause as a hard-won achievement gained through sustained military pressure and a broader diplomatic push. The Israeli defense establishment has stressed that the actions taken over the recent period reshaped the regional security landscape, while insisting that the safety of Israeli civilians and the fate of hostages remained central to every decision. The question now turning in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is how to balance continued deterrence against new risks, particularly in relation to Iran and the broader threats emanating from its proxies.
In that vein, Israel has signaled a shift in focus toward Iran and its regional network. Officials speak of a security environment where the Gaza campaign, while decisive, is only one component of a broader contest with Tehran. Analysts point to ongoing Iranian ballistic missile and drone programs, signs of renewed interest in nuclear capabilities, and external actions by Iranian proxies that could affect Israel’s northern and southern fronts. satellite assessments have fueled concerns about possible preparations for additional facilities, even as international talks stall and sanctions pressures persist. The return to a quieter south does not translate into a peace dividend; it translates into a strategic calculus about how to deter and, if necessary, respond to a multi-front threat.
The hostage and prisoner dimensions of the deal command immediate attention. Twenty hostages who were believed to be alive are expected to be released in the initial phase, part of a broader exchange that would free a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, while also returning a large cohort of Gazan detainees to the Strip. The agreement ties the release of living captives to the return of remains and the completion of other elements of the deal, complicating the timeline but underscoring the human stakes involved. To identify the remains that will be returned, Israeli authorities are mobilizing DNA testing and advanced imaging, with officials stressing that precision and care are essential, and that there can be no margin for error in what families hope will be a respectful and accurate process.
Among the operational realities on the ground, Israel’s Prison Service has entered a heightened state of readiness. Legal advisors raised questions about moving detainees for court appearances in the context of the prisoner releases, and hundreds of guards and personnel are being deployed to escort those slated for release. The security risk to personnel escorting prisoners outside of the agreements reflects a broader concern that removing individuals tied to violent acts could provoke reactions from hostile factions or complicate security arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza.
International and domestic developments add layers of complexity. In Europe, large-scale protests against Israel have continued in several capitals, including London—where demonstrations persist despite the ceasefire—
Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago