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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-16 at 02:10
HEADLINES
Freed hostages break silence after 738 days
Global talks sketch Gaza stabilization force
Demilitarized Gaza pilot technocratic governance proposed
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. We begin with the intimate reflections of two men, Maksim Herkin and Bar Kupershtein, freed after 738 days in Hamas captivity. In their first public statements since leaving captivity, Herkin said protests inside Israel and abroad gave him strength in what he called a hellish chapter, while Kupershtein said he remains grateful for his freedom but is still adjusting to life on the outside and the long road ahead.
In parallel, the diplomacy surrounding the ceasefire and hostage deal remains a central preoccupation for Washington and Jerusalem. Officials on both sides have expressed concern that some politicians may try to exploit the hostage issue to press for shifts in the deal or to push for renewed fighting. The concern centers on how domestic political pressures could shape decisions about future steps in Gaza and the handling of remains and hostages alike.
Meanwhile, reports circulating in the daily briefings describe an intensifying focus on locating and recovering hostages’ remains. American and Israeli officials say Hamas has access to more bodies than it publicly acknowledges, and they emphasize an ongoing effort to share intelligence and refine operations so as to retrieve as many remains as possible. The United States maintains that progress will continue, even as the task is technically and logistically demanding.
On the ground, international considerations are entering the planning of Gaza’s postwar phase. A broad coalition discussion is under way about an international stabilization force to operate in parts of the Gaza Strip during a transitional period. Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan are reported to be involved in the planning process, with Turkey also discussed as a potential participant. Public statements have highlighted that Indonesia has offered a specific troop contribution in a UN-mandated framework, though the exact arrangements remain to be finalized. Arab and Western partners alike are weighing how such a force would work alongside Israeli security arrangements and humanitarian needs.
Turning to the fate of released Palestinian prisoners, a notable portion of the 250 freed under the first stage of the deal has begun new lives outside the Gaza Strip. About 154 were deported to Egypt under supervision, while roughly 70 returned to the West Bank. Israel is closely monitoring these movements to prevent potential celebrations that could undermine the ceasefire or incite unrest.
In the political and strategic arena, voices in Washington and Jerusalem are pressing toward a broader framework for Gaza’s future. The US special envoy, and senior aides to the president, are describing a vision of a demilitarized Gaza with civilian life returning and reconstruction proceeding in a manner that reinforces security for Israel. They stress that any reconstruction money would be directed to areas free of Hamas influence, and that “Hamas-free, terror-free zones” would come first as a test case for broader rebuilding. At the same time, officials cautioned that demilitarization is a complex undertaking, with multiple moving parts and a need for enduring cooperation from regional actors and local communities.
The diplomacy also touches the political horizon for a Palestinian entity. A senior adviser to the former US president outlined a pragmatic approach: move beyond old debates about statehood and sovereignty to a functioning administration that can offer security and economic opportunity. He suggested that a future mechanism could be built around a technocratic framework rather than traditional political structures, with th
Published on 3 weeks ago