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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-16 at 11:08
HEADLINES
Hayman and Al-Atrash Identified Among Gaza Remains
Shin Bet Reservist Leaks Classified Material
Rafah Crossing Set to Reopen With Limits
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. This is the seven o’clock briefing on the Middle East and related developments shaping the security and diplomatic landscape for Israel, the Jewish world, and international partners.
In Israel, forensic teams have positively identified remains returned in recent days as those of Inbar Hayman, a 27 year old Nova Festival reveler, and a Bedouin soldier named Muhammad Al-Atrash, among others recovered in Gaza. The identification comes as Israeli authorities continue to press for fuller access to remains of other hostages believed held by Hamas and its affiliates, a matter that has become a focal point of domestic debate and international diplomacy.
On the ceasefire and hostage issue, Israeli officials continue to stress that the war is not over and that pressure on Hamas remains essential until all phases of the ceasefire agreement are completed. Israeli media and government sources report that Hamas has the capacity to return a larger number of remains, potentially double digits, but that the organization has not made a persistent or comprehensive effort to locate and transfer all the bodies it holds. The security cabinet has signaled a willingness to adjust pressure, including restrictions on reconstruction materials entering Gaza, if Hamas delays in meeting its obligations persist.
In parallel, a high level discussion within Israeli security circles has highlighted concerns about how information touching sensitive operations is handled at home. A Shin Bet officer, serving as a reservist, faces charges of leaking classified material to a government minister and two journalists, with the case indicating ongoing tensions between security agencies and political leadership. The Justice Ministry described the officer as facing indictment for criminal wrongdoing tied to disclosures about efforts to root out extremist Kahanist influence in policing, and for attempting to transmit further classified information. The allegations have intensified debate over internal security and the proper safeguards for sensitive intelligence in a period of political strain.
Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister, reacted to related developments by underscoring that Hamas must disarm or Israel may be forced to resume broader military actions. His comments followed the confirmation that Hamas had returned a body not belonging to an Israeli hostage, prompting calls for greater accountability on both sides and a careful calibration of next steps in the broader security and political dialogue.
Across the Gaza border, Israel and Egypt are preparing to reopen the Rafah crossing for people, with a date to be announced. The coordinating bodies say aid will be limited, citing delays by Hamas in returning hostage remains and the ceasefire deal’s terms. The reopening would mark an important movement in the humanitarian dimension of the conflict, but these steps remain conditional on Hamas’s performance under the ceasefire, including its obligations on hostages.
On the battlefield, Israeli air and ground forces have continued targeted operations against militant groups in Gaza. An airstrike this morning resulted in the deaths of at least two militants near the border, as Israel seeks to disrupt capabilities that could threaten civilians and soldiers alike. The pace and scale of such strikes reflect ongoing security concerns about Hamas restructuring and rearming in ways that could complicate any return to normal life in southern Israel.
Internationally, several developments bear on the broader security environment. A Norwegian court convicted a former United States embassy secu
Published on 2 weeks, 6 days ago