Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-15 at 16:07

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HEADLINES
Putin backs Syria, vows to keep bases
Twenty hostages remain as bodies to transfer
US inks multiyear drone deal with Israel

The time is now 12:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good afternoon. Here is the latest update on the Middle East and related developments, with a focus on security concerns, diplomacy, and the human dimension of a region at war and at risk of broader realignments.

In Moscow, Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Vladimir Putin in his first visit to Russia since taking power. Officials say Sharaa told Putin he would honor all past deals between Damascus and Moscow and pressed for Moscow’s backing in resisting broader Israeli demands for a wider southern demilitarized zone. He also sought Russian assurance on the fate of Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow after his ouster, and discussed the future of Syria’s military and bases. Russia has kept a limited but strategic military footprint in Syria, including the Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval facility, and has signaled an interest in maintaining a foothold even as it recalibrates its focus toward other theaters. The talks underscored Moscow’s aim to secure its bases and influence in Syria while managing a complicated relationship with the new Damascus leadership.

In Gaza and across the ceasefire landscape, the past days have brought a mix of relief and volatility. Twenty hostages remained in Hamas custody or identified as unreturned as of today, even as families and the public mark the emotional toll of captivity and loss. The Israeli government and media outlets report that at least two more bodies—believed to be Palestinian victims rather than Israeli hostages—are to be transferred tonight, highlighting the near-term exchanges that continue to define the calm between rounds of fighting. Israel has repeatedly pressed Hamas to return all deceased hostages and essential information on missing persons within the agreed time frames, arguing that delays undermine the basis for longer-term security and stability. Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza was poised to reopen for people, with an EU mission deploying to oversee the process. Aid deliveries from Gaza crossing via Egypt have continued to flow through other crossings, with officials noting that humanitarian relief remains a priority even as political calculations persist.

On the diplomatic front, the broader peace effort has drawn in regional and international voices. US officials, including the Pentagon, have pressed Hamas to end violence against innocent Gazans and to disarm, urging adherence to a framework that links hostage releases to broader steps toward peace. In public remarks, US leaders have signaled a willingness to support a reconciliation path that would eventually normalize ties among Israel and various Arab states, while warning that any return to a broader confrontation is unacceptable. Across the region, leaders and commentators have debated the merits and risks of engaging with Hamas and balancing security with humanitarian commitments. A high-profile summit in Sharm el-Sheikh drew attention to late invitations and missed opportunities, as some argued that participation by Israeli leadership in regional forums could have accelerated momentum toward broader normalization and stability, while others stressed the political and electoral sensitivities at home that constrain leadership decisions.

Elsewhere, Iran’s domestic landscape remains tense and testing for ordinary life. Sanctions and restrictions continue to shape daily life, including pressures such as restricted access to global financial channels and communications, alongside a continuing clampdown on dissent. Yet cultural expressions, art, and public discourse persist, signaling a resilience amid pressure. The Iranian state’s stance toward neighbor

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Published on 3 weeks ago