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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-19 at 14:06
HEADLINES
Louvre Apollo Gallery Heist Sparks Investigation
Ex-hostages Freed as Gaza Fighting Intensifies
High Court to Hear Shin Bet Appointment
The time is now 10:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is an international hourly news update at 10:00 AM.
In Paris, a daylight heist at the Louvre unfolded when thieves entered through a window at the construction facade and used a basket lift to reach the Apollo Gallery, where they removed several pieces described as priceless from the Napoleon and Empress jewelry collection. One item was later recovered near the museum, which remained closed for the day as investigators worked the scene. French authorities opened an inquiry and the value of the loot has not yet been determined.
In the Gaza Strip, the war's current phase continues to unfold with frequent exchanges of fire and retaliatory strikes. The Israeli military said it targeted terrorist infrastructure across central Gaza in response to ceasefire violations and ongoing threats. The Israel Defense Forces described the strikes as a necessary response, aimed at destroying tunnels and military installations believed to harbor operatives. About the same time, Israeli forces reported counter-fire in Rafah after anti-tank missiles and gunfire targeted troops, prompting airstrikes and artillery fire in the area. The military called these actions a clear breach of the ceasefire, and warned residents of Gaza to stay away from high-risk zones. In parallel, Hamas’ armed wing released a statement saying it had found remains of a hostage during ongoing search operations and warned that any further escalation by Israeli forces would delay the excavation and the handover process. Israeli officials reiterated that the campaign against terrorist infrastructure would continue in response to the latest threats. Arabic-language briefings from the IDF included cautions to residents in Gaza about movement near marked danger zones and a call to relocate to safer areas west of a designated line.
Meanwhile, a separate assessment from Gaza noted that Israeli airstrikes intensified in the wake of a suspected ceasefire breach, with reports of operations intended to neutralize militant sites in the center of the territory. Israel and its partners have spoken of a large-scale effort to degrade Hamas capabilities, while insisting the objective remains the protection of Israeli civilians and the restoration of security stability in the south. The broader international context includes ongoing US-led discussions on a pilot reconstruction framework for Gaza, including schools and clinics, with American officials traveling to the region to advance a plan that aims to prevent a broader humanitarian collapse while supporting security arrangements.
On the hostage front, two notable returns drew celebrations across Israel. Ex-hostages David and Ariel Cunio, along with Gal and Ziv Berman and Yosef-Haim Ohana, left hospital after their releases as part of recent ceasefire exchanges. In hospital briefings, officials said the men would continue outpatient care at dedicated clinics designed to support hostages and their families. Crowds gathered in Yavne and Kibbutz Beit Guvrin to welcome the freed captives, who spoke of gratitude to the Israeli security services and the communities that supported their release. The Cunio brothers, in a message from their hospital departure, stressed that their struggle to return home remains ongoing for all hostages still in captivity, and thanked the public for perseverance and solidarity. Their families and supporters carried Israeli and hostage flags, while local volunteers and supporters expressed relief and resolve.
In a parallel feature of the human dimension, Nepalese authorities prepared to repatriate the body of Nepali hostage Bipin Joshi, who was killed during Hamas-hostilities
Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago