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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-15 at 12:05
HEADLINES
- Two Die in Modi'in Shooting, Five Wounded
- Gaza Security Force Phase Two Planned
- Rafah Crossing Reopens, Aid Resumes
The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. Here is your on‑the‑hour update on developments in the Middle East and related regions.
Police say a motorcyclist opened fire on Route 443 near Modi'in, killing two people and critically injuring three others. Investigators describe the incident as criminal in nature, and the probe is ongoing as authorities review possible motives and security footage.
In Gaza, mediators are pursuing the second phase of the ceasefire plan discussed in Egypt. The talks reportedly focus on deploying a Palestinian security force in Gaza, trained in Egypt and Jordan, with initial planning for about a thousand personnel and the potential for a larger contingent, possibly up to ten thousand. The aim is to bolster security while facilitating broader normalization channels, but observers caution that any such force would require broad acceptance by Israeli authorities and Palestinian leadership, and Arab governments have signaled caution about deploying forces in a way that could be perceived as occupation.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Israel and Hamas have begun discussions on the second phase of the Trump 20‑point plan, with mediators weighing the feasibility of introducing a first cadre of Palestinian police under Egyptian and Jordanian training to help enforce security in Gaza. The potential expansion of such a force remains a point of contention, with Israel signaling reservations about future Palestinian security authority in the Strip and about implications for sovereignty and security at the border.
On the hostage front, families of freed captives have shared moving accounts as relatives reunite with loved ones. The latest round of hostages’ releases and the return of bodies have kept pressure on both sides to sustain the ceasefire and advance talks. International actors continue to emphasize the importance of keeping living hostages safe and ensuring aid and humanitarian access flow reliably, even as debates over the handling of bodies and ceasefire terms continue.
Israel reopened Zikim Beach near the Gaza border for public use for the first time since the October 7, 2023, attacks. The beach will be open in daylight hours, with restricted water sports initially, and a memorial emphasis as the region marks the two‑year milestone since the assault. The reopening followed sustained security assessments and improvements to facilities, supported by regional authorities and national ministries.
Security concerns in southern Israel remain a focus for policymakers. A government‑sponsored assessment warned of a large illegal weapons trafficking corridor from the Sinai to the Negev, estimating more than 100,000 weapons in circulation. The analysis describes a broadening illicit supply chain and highlights potential threats to Israeli sovereignty and civilian security, reinforcing calls for enhanced border control and civilian protection.
Internationally, Syria’s president arrived in Moscow for talks with President Putin, signaling continued regional diplomacy as Moscow hosts discussions on Syria’s future leadership and regional alignments amid shifting alliances in the broader Middle East.
Across the border region, new fighting along the Pakistan–Afghanistan frontier resulted in civilian and military casualties, underscoring ongoing fragility in a theater already strained by competing interests and insurgent movements.
Aid deliveries to Gaza continued, with trucks moving into the enclave as Israel prepared to reopen Rafah’s main crossing. The resumption of aid flows comes after tensions over the pace of hostage-body exchanges, underscoring the fragile balance bet
Published on 3 weeks ago