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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-22 at 07:05
HEADLINES
- Gulf states push security guarantees for Israel
- Hamas backs ceasefire, Turkey talks continue
- ICJ to issue Gaza aid advisory
The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 3:00 a.m., these are the latest developments shaping the Middle East and the surrounding security environment, with attention to Israeli and Jewish perspectives for an international audience.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s diplomatic adviser to the presidency, said that maximalist positions on the Palestinian issue are no longer valid. He underscored the need for security for Israel alongside the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, and he warned that any annexation of Palestinian territories would constitute a red line. Gargash also indicated that discussions are ongoing about the possibility of sending personnel on the ground in Gaza as part of efforts to address the humanitarian and security dimensions of the conflict, a signal of how Gulf states are weighing security guarantees for Israel in parallel with moves toward a Palestinian framework.
In Doha, Hamas leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire and stressed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, including the aim of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. The group also highlighted ongoing discussions with regional partners, including Turkey, about the scope and pace of ceasefire arrangements and broader diplomatic channels.
On the humanitarian front, the Israeli military reported the identification and return of two bodies from Gaza: a former sergeant, Tamir Ader, and Arie Zalmanowicz, an elderly civilian. The identification, and their return, came as families of other hostages continue to wait for the release or return of loved ones. The Israeli government says 13 hostages remain unaccounted for or detained by Hamas, sustaining pressure on negotiations and relief efforts.
Mediators working to steady the ceasefire voiced frustration with how Israel has managed the ceasefire process, a sentiment shadowing a rare visit by Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. The visit, the first by a senior Egyptian official to Israel since the Gaza war began, highlighted the delicate diplomacy in Cairo and Doha as mediators seek to sustain a fragile pause in hostilities and prevent a relapse into broader fighting.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague is preparing to issue an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations toward agencies delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Judges have been asked to articulate Israel’s duty to facilitate aid flows in Gaza as aid groups seek to scale up operations amid ongoing humanitarian needs and a ceasefire framework that remains under review.
Regionally, Turkey is advancing efforts to strengthen its air power in a way that could alter the regional balance. Ankara is pressing European partners and the United States to provide advanced fighter jets, including used Eurofighters and potentially US-made F-16s and F-35s, as it seeks to compensate for its aging fleet and to counter perceived threats, including those tied to developments around Israel and the Gaza theater. Washington sanctions tied to Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 systems remain an obstacle to a full F-35 acquisition, though Turkish officials have discussed possible presidential waivers or congressional accommodations as part of broader defense cooperation. The talks come as Turkey also pursues domestic programs to bolster air defenses and long-range strike capabilities, signaling a broader push to modernize its armed forces in concert with NATO allies.
In domestic Israeli news, military police arrested two Haredi draft dodgers amid renewed public debate over a conscription bill. The arrests reflect ongoing tensions in Israeli society over military service requirements and the p
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