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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-15 at 04:06
HEADLINES
Rafah Reopens Aid Flows Hostage Bodies Released
Syria Move Earth Operation Exposed Mass Graves
Gaza Reconstruction Faces Sixty Million Tons Rubble
The time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Rafah crossing in southern Gaza reopened after Hamas released four hostage bodies and signaled plans to return more remains, prompting Israel to lift sanctions and allow humanitarian assistance to resume flow through the crossing. The move followed days of negotiations and came as Israeli authorities signaled a cautious path forward, tied to the broader aim of stabilizing the region and facilitating aid to civilians in Gaza.
Inside Israel, the return of hostages and the reopening of crossings were described by military and medical officials as a moment marked by relief and the beginning of healing for families, while maintaining vigilance over security needs. Rabin Medical Center and other facilities prepared to provide individualized medical and psychological care for the released captives, with staff noting a process that balances relief with ongoing recovery needs.
On the security and political front, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave interviews in which he framed the hostage releases as a step toward peace, while reiterating that any ultimate settlement hinges on Hamas disarming and on conditions that prevent rearmament and weapon production in Gaza. In a CBS interview, Netanyahu said conditions in a 20-step plan were clear: first, secure the release of hostages while preserving military readiness; second, remove threats and depots within the strip; and only if these conditions are met would broader steps be pursued. He warned that a failure to disarm Hamas could lead to renewed and intensified conflict.
The humanitarian outlook remains fraught. The United Nations and regional observers emphasize the enormous reconstruction challenge in Gaza, with Arab reports quoting the UN as estimating about 60 million tons of rubble and damage, and noting that roughly 80 percent of housing in Gaza has been destroyed. The scale of debris and the collapse of essential infrastructure point to a prolonged and expensive rebuilding effort that will require substantial international aid, planning, and security guarantees to ensure safe delivery.
Reuters and other outlets highlighted ongoing violence in Gaza related to power struggles among militant groups and security forces, illustrating that even as some areas see relative calm, fighting and clashes persist in parts of the enclave. The human cost is echoed in the stories of families awaiting news and the daily realities of civilians navigating the aftermath of years of conflict.
In other regional developments, a Reuters investigation shed light on longstanding wartime crimes in Syria, revealing that Assad’s government conducted a covert operation to move thousands of bodies from a known mass grave in Qutayfah to a hidden desert site near Dhumair. The operation, described as “Move Earth,” reportedly took place between 2019 and 2021 and aimed to obscure evidence of mass killings. Experts say the scale of the operation and the lack of accessible documentation complicate accountability efforts. Syria’s new authorities have announced plans to establish a DNA bank and digital platform to assist families of the missing, though resources remain limited and forensic capacity is still developing.
Two other international developments touch on the wider security and diplomatic landscape. Iran’s judiciary reported sentences for two French citizens accused of spying on behalf of France and Israel, with Paris criticizing the detentions as arbitrary and calling for consular access. Tehran’s communications characterized the trials as a matter of national security, while France pressed for due process and humane treatment. The reporting underscores ho
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