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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-13 at 00:06
HEADLINES
Ceasefire holds as prisoner list tweaked
Trump Gaza war over, calls for coalition
Zelensky eyes Gaza deal to end war
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At eight o’clock this evening, the ceasefire in Gaza remains in place as the latest phase of the exchange between Israel and Hamas proceeds under intense international scrutiny. Israel’s leadership approved the initial stage of what officials describe as a long process aimed at releasing hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, with the operation expected to unfold in the hours ahead. In a late night parliamentary and cabinet exchange, ministers approved corrections to the prisoner list, substituting a small number of prisoners and making adjustments to the categories of Gazans eligible for release. The government said the changes were meant to keep the deal on track while ensuring security considerations and the dignity of those involved. The Red Cross has stressed its role in supervising the handovers and has called for no public ceremonies during the exchanges, highlighting the importance of preserving the safety and dignity of the hostages and the deceased.
On the ground in Gaza and within Israel, the process remains delicate and tightly choreographed. Hamas has signaled its intent to fulfill its commitments, while Israel has underscored that the operation will proceed in stages, with careful health and security checks for those released and for the remains of the deceased. The International Committee of the Red Cross has prepared for the logistical complexities of multiple handover points, with hostages being transferred to Red Cross representatives before moving to Israeli forces for medical and security processing outside Gaza. The ICRC has emphasized that while it can set guidelines and expectations, it relies on cooperation from all parties to ensure the safety and dignity of those involved.
Beyond the battlefield, the political and diplomatic atmosphere remains unusually crowded. United States President Donald Trump, arriving in the region to push forward with the Gaza peace plan, has declared that in his view the war in Gaza is over, and he has urged a broader, multinational effort to stabilize the region. Trump’s in-flight remarks and public statements have drawn strong reactions from leaders in Jerusalem and Washington, with allies and critics watching closely as he travels to Egypt for a regional summit and to participate in hostage-release ceremonies. President Trump has described his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as cooperative and constructive, while stressing that any enduring agreement must be anchored in security and a peace that can endure against future threats.
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken about the possible power of a Gaza-style deal to end the conflict with Russia, arguing that creative diplomatic approaches could reshape the terms of engagement. He has also warned that Russia may be trying to exploit the disruption and shifting dynamics in the Middle East to intensify attacks in Ukraine, a reminder that regional ceasefires, while improving humanitarian conditions in one arena, do not automatically translate into strategic immunity elsewhere. The United States continues to express support for its allies in both theaters, underscoring a policy framework centered on deterrence, alliance cohesion, and a commitment to peace through strength.
Analysts note that Iran’s influence across the region has appeared strained as the current ceasefires reset calculations for Tehran’s aligned groups. The degraded posture of proxies linked to Iran has been cited by observers as contributing to a more fragile security landscape in some theaters, even as the broader international effort to stabilize flashpoints presses on. In Seoul an
Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago