Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-18 at 08:09

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HEADLINES
Eliyahu Margalit Returns, 18 Hostages Unaccounted
Hamas Opposes Disarmament 3–5 Year Pause
Turkey Emerges Key Mediator in Gaza Talks

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Here is the hourly news update.

The latest developments in the Middle East and related regional diplomacy continue to shape the security and political landscape as of now. In Gaza, remains handed over by Hamas have been identified by forensic teams in Israel, confirming the return of Eliyahu Margalit, a 75‑year‑old Nir Oz resident who was killed on October 7, 2023 and taken to Gaza. Military and government spokespeople said the return under the mediation framework is a somber moment for the Margalit family and for the broader effort to recover the missing and fallen. With Margalit’s return, 18 of the original hostages who were killed or held in Gaza remain unaccounted for or unrecovered under the current ceasefire and negotiation process. The government has reiterated its commitment to pursuing the agreement through mediators and to ensuring proper burials for those returned, while underscoring Hamas’s obligation to support the process and facilitate the return of all remaining bodies.

In parallel, statements from Hamas leadership indicate a continuing resistance to the idea of dismantling its armed capabilities. A senior Hamas figure emphasized that disarmament would depend on the broader negotiations and on the positions of other Palestinian factions. He suggested a temporary ceasefire of three to five years to enable reconstruction as a possibility, but stressed that disarmament itself is not on the negotiating table at this time. The remarks underscore the complexity of the talks surrounding a broader settlement and the different Palestinian factions’ priorities, which influence any potential multi-year pause in hostilities.

Turkey’s role in Gaza talks remains prominent. After a long period of Israeli opposition to external mediation, Ankara has emerged as a central participant in the discussions, aided by international attention and, domestically, by open support from allies including the United States. Observers caution that while Turkey’s involvement adds a regional dimension, it also carries risks if competing demands cloud the path to a durable ceasefire. Experts note that Turkey’s influence could help advance negotiations, but that progress will depend on the willingness of all parties to accept compromise and to address core security concerns for Israel.

Within Israel, political dynamics continue to unfold around the question of how to handle the war in Gaza and the possibility of a broader peace process. Hadash MK Aida Touma-Sliman, a prominent Arab-Israeli legislator, spoke of potential real change as the Arab-led bloc contemplated a return to the Knesset’s political conversation. She argued that recognition of a Palestinian state by Western countries, coupled with the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage releases, could create an opening for a political path that ends or reshapes the occupation. Touma-Sliman acknowledged domestic opposition to the war but said that any future government would require compromises that include the position of Arab parties. Her comments reflect a broader debate within Israeli society about the balance between security concerns and political solutions, as well as the possibility of reviving a Joint List-type coalition framework.

On the diplomatic front, Afghanistan and Pakistan are slated to hold peace talks in Doha, with a high-level delegation led by Afghanistan’s defense minister traveling to the Qatari capital. The talks come after a ceasefire was extended and seek to address ongoing hostility and regional security concerns. The arrangement reflects broader regional efforts to reduce hostilities and stabilize neighboring states, with implications

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Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago