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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-16 at 05:05
HEADLINES
Two hostage remains identified and transferred
US eyes 200 troops for Gaza stabilization
Thirty deaths in Gaza faction clashes
The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Tonight’s hourly update at 1:00 AM begins with a rapid briefing on the hostage situation and what it means for Gaza, for Israel, and for international efforts to stabilize the region.
Two hostage remains were identified and handed over to Israel overnight. The remains of Inbar Hayman, who was kidnapped at the Nova festival and killed in the Hamas takeover of October 7, and Major General Muhammad al-Atrash, a senior commander who fell in battle that day, have been identified by the National Center for Forensic Medicine and released to Israeli authorities. Officials say the identifications have been completed and the coffins have been transferred to Israel for burial or further family arrangements, while Israel continues to acknowledge that 19 hostages remain in Gaza. Israel’s military and political leadership say the ongoing effort to locate and recover the remains of all hostages remains a priority, integrated with the broader prisoner exchange and stabilization framework.
On the international front, a US plan to stabilize Gaza is taking shape. American authorities say discussions are advancing toward the deployment of an international stabilization force to Gaza under the framework of President Trump’s 20-point plan. The plan envisions roughly 200 US troops participating in a mission that would not involve entering Gaza beyond certain restricted areas, with the aim of enabling humanitarian aid to reach civilians and preventing a Hamas resurgence. Washington has been in talks with Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan about joining the mission. Officials emphasize that reconstruction funding would be channeled under international supervision and would not flow to Hamas-controlled areas, to avoid strengthening the organization.
In the meantime, Gaza remains unsettled on the ground. Hamas has tightened its control in parts of the Strip, and internal clashes have produced multiple fatalities in recent days. Palestinian sources have cited at least 30 deaths in ongoing internal confrontations involving Hamas factions and allied armed groups. One line of reporting notes that eight Palestinians were executed in Gaza on suspicion of collaborating with Israel, raising fears of a slide toward internal civil strife even as external fighting subsides. In parallel, the leadership in Gaza is growing more assertive by appointing regional authorities, signaling an effort to reestablish governance and control as humanitarian challenges mount.
The security situation at the Rafah crossing remains a principal constraint. The crossing is closed, with officials citing security concerns and the need to safeguard aid deliveries and civilian movement. International monitors stationed nearby have been discussing ways to ensure aid can reach the population while preventing any shift in control that could hinder stability efforts.
To encourage cooperation from Gazans in locating and confirming the location of buried or hidden remains, US officials are evaluating a rewards concept. The approach would offer incentives to residents who provide information that could help locate additional remains, a step described by American advisers as potentially valuable but requiring patience, given the scale of rubble and unexploded ordnance across the Strip. American aides stress that discovering all remains will take time and that Hamas has pledged cooperation in locating and recovering them.
On the political and diplomatic front, developments outside the immediate theater continue to affect perception and policy. In New York, a high-profile visit by a British activist drew condemnation from major Jewish grou
Published on 3 weeks ago