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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-19 at 11:04
HEADLINES
Israel renames Gaza campaign War of Revival
Two hostages identified dead, 16 missing remain
Comptroller flags October 7 security failures
The time is now 7:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is your hourly news update. In Gaza, Israel has renamed its campaign in the territory from Operation Iron Swords to War of Revival, a change the government says reflects a national renewal in the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks. Officials emphasize that the objective remains to restore security for the Israeli population and to pursue the return of all hostages and missing persons under the terms of the ceasefire accord. Hamas has responded with a mix of denials and defenses, insisting it remains committed to the agreement while accusing Israel of violations.
In recent days the Israeli military has conducted strikes in the Rafah area after Palestinians reportedly fired on an Israeli engineering vehicle, signaling another flare-up just over a week into the current ceasefire period. The military says it is acting to protect troops and civilians alike as violence persists in parts of southern Gaza. The ceasefire’s durability continues to be tested by sporadic fighting and accusations of violations from both sides, with US diplomacy urging adherence to the terms and protections for civilians.
On the hostage front, remains returned overnight have been identified as two people held from the 2023 conflict: Ronen Engel of Kibbutz Nir Oz and Thai national Sonthaya Oakkharasr. The Defense Ministry, working with the National Forensic Center, police, and the military rabbinate, says identification is complete for both bodies and that the government is unwavering in its commitment to bring home all hostages still in Gaza under the deal with Hamas. The government notes that 16 hostages remain unaccounted for and continues to press for their return and proper burial where possible.
Also in the news: the State Comptroller’s Office has begun publishing timely investigations into the October 7 failures, detailing security gaps and how the events unfolded, often highlighting tensions between oversight agencies and the military. In a separate human story, Uriel Baruch, a hostage who was killed during the Gaza crisis, is to be laid to rest, underscoring the personal toll of the war. And in a notable campus incident outside Israel, masked protesters disrupted a Pomona College memorial event for an October 7 survivor with slogans that included “Zionists not welcome,” fueling renewed debate over campus dialogue and security.
Overseas developments include a British incident in which a Jewish lawyer wearing a Star of David was detained for several hours during a pro-Palestinian demonstration, with police saying the detention related to public order restrictions. Israel’s foreign minister condemned the episode as a troubling sign of rising antisemitism and called for a review of policing and speech protections for religious symbols during protests. In Washington, US officials continue to press Hamas to uphold the ceasefire and to avoid harm to civilians, citing credible reports of potential violations and urging all parties to adhere to the accord.
In broader regional and international context, reports from various outlets note ongoing concern about security gaps along Gaza’s border prior to October 7 and the challenges of controlling violence while allowing humanitarian relief. In science news from Israel, researchers have found that the brain’s focus improves its ability to predict and time sounds, a finding with potential implications for hearing aids and attention training.
That is the latest consolidated picture as events unfold. We will continue to monitor the evolving ceasefire dynamics, the status of remaining hostages, and the broader regional security situation, reporting wi
Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago