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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-17 at 00:05
HEADLINES
Hamas Starves Hostages for Proof of Life
Rahat Clashes Leave Four Officers Lightly Hurt
Zelensky Links Middle East Momentum to Ukraine
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
8:01 PM. Here is the hourly update on developments in the Middle East and related international responses.
New reporting details the harsh realities faced by hostages in Gaza. A reputable outlet cites testimony that Hamas separated two Israeli hostages, David and his friend Guy Gilboa-Dalal, in underground tunnels and denied them food so they would appear skeletal in filmed “proof-of-life” clips. Food reportedly was provided only after filming was completed. The account underscores the coercive measures some captives are subjected to and the use of hostage footage for bargaining and messaging amid ongoing negotiations over releases.
Hamas also asserts that the return of any remaining hostage bodies will take time. The group says some corpses are buried in tunnels destroyed in fighting or lie beneath rubble from Israeli strikes. It contends that retrieving those remains requires heavy equipment that is currently unavailable because of Israeli restrictions. The organization reiterates its commitment to the ceasefire framework while placing responsibility on Israel for delays in body handovers.
On the security front inside Israel, authorities in Rahat, a Bedouin city, reported a rapid sequence of events after a mass brawl between rival families led to a car chase and gunfire. Four police officers were lightly injured; the chase ended with the detention of a driver in his 20s. The incident casts a spotlight on internal security challenges amid a broader conflict environment, where local violence intersects with national security concerns.
In Washington, President Trump’s rhetoric over Gaza drew renewed attention. He warned that if Hamas continues to kill Gazans, “we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” a remark interpreted as signaling intent to act if the violence persists, though he later described the action as not likely to involve direct US troops in Gaza. The White House has emphasized that any future steps would be under American oversight and burden-sharing, while discussions continue about an international security presence for Gaza and the scope of foreign involvement. Israeli officials have noted that, at least in recent intelligence assessments, there is currently no immediate need for foreign search teams to locate hostages, with emphasis instead on recovering remains where feasible under existing arrangements.
International reactions include a strong comment from the United Kingdom’s prime minister regarding security policies at a sporting event. Keir Starmer criticized the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a Europa League match in Birmingham for security reasons, stating that antisemitism has no place on the streets and that police should ensure safe, welcoming attendance for all fans.
Zelensky linked momentum in the Middle East to potential progress in the war in Ukraine, saying Trump’s approach to Middle East peace could contribute to pressure on Moscow. The comment reflects a broader view in Kyiv that shifts in regional diplomacy can have global ripples, including potential leverage against Russia in Europe.
In Gaza, reporting also highlights continued contention over the ceasefire framework and the handling of remains. Al Jazeera carried a note that Hamas claimed obtaining the most up-to-date equipment to recover bodies would require resources not presently accessible, accusing Israel of restricting entry of necessary gear. The dynamic underscores the interplay between humanitarian concerns, military operations, and operational access in the conflict zone.
Close to the border, activity surrounding the broader re
Published on 2 weeks, 6 days ago