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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-13 at 02:12
HEADLINES
Ceasefire holds as hostage release pact advances
Hamas absent from Egypt peace summit
Netanyahu warns security challenges ahead
The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good evening. This is your hourly update on the developing story lines in the Middle East and beyond, with a steady, measured look at what is happening, why it matters, and what may come next.
The core development remains the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered with broad American mediation in Sharm el-Sheikh. A first phase aims to reduce violence and begin a process that would include the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The high-stakes political choreography continues as the last groups of survivors in Gaza are expected to be released in the coming hours and days, with Israeli officials insisting that any steps forward must be matched by verified progress on the ground. In parallel, the United States has presented its role as the principal facilitator, while also emphasizing that the end of active hostilities is not the same as the end of a broader, longer-term peace effort. President Donald Trump, en route to the region for a summit, has framed the deal as a turning point that could anchor a broader security and political settlement, while cautions about the need for steadfast verification and a credible path forward.
On the battlefield question, Israel’s government has approved the initial phase of the plan and signaled that military operations would continue where necessary to confront threats and ensure security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that security challenges lie ahead and that a durable peace will require continued readiness and resilience. President Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, has asserted that the war in Gaza is effectively over and that the ceasefire is likely to hold, saying that verbal guarantees from Israel, Hamas, and regional partners underpin the early stages of the accord. Israel’s leadership has acknowledged the significance of those guarantees—while insisting that real peace will be earned through steps that demonstrate Hamas’s and other actors’ commitment to the terms of the deal.
Internationally, the ceasefire and hostage process have triggered a broad diplomatic wave. The peace summit planned for Egypt brings together major regional and global figures, with participation from the United States, Egypt, and other leaders, while Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas were not invited. Qatar and Turkey received credit for their roles in moving the talks forward, reflecting a nuanced regional diplomacy that seeks both leverage and stability. The gathering underscores a broader trend: powers are trying to manage a volatile landscape with a mix of encouragement, pressure, and mediation. In an important point of substance, the plan envisions a governance framework for Gaza to be populated by Palestinian technocrats, with the intention of stabilizing the enclave and paving the way for future diplomacy. Trump indicated he would like to see a broader peace board in place, though he signaled flexibility about specific names, including whether Tony Blair would serve. The question of who will influence the post-crisis architecture remains a live topic among policymakers and analysts.
On the security front inside Israel, the government’s Security Cabinet has discussed the ceasefire and what it implies for the country’s long-term security posture. Officials described a path that blends diplomacy with firm protection of vital interests, acknowledging that trust in the ceasefire will depend on continuous verification and on meaningful restraint by all sides. Security officials have also signaled openness to dialogue on new peace arrangements, a sign that behind-the-scenes diplomacy is moving toward a broader frame
Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago