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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-23 at 15:06
HEADLINES
Thirteen Hostages Remain as Ceasefire Holds
Israel Targets Hezbollah Camp, Tensions Escalate
US Warns West Bank Sovereignty Jeopardizes Peace
The time is now 11:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is 11:00 AM and this is a news update on events shaping the region and the broader international response.
The Gaza ceasefire remains fragile but appears to be holding for now, with discussions underway about a broader peace framework. In Gaza, aid and humanitarian conditions remain dire for parts of the population, even as the ceasefire holds. Hamas continues to hold the remains of 13 hostages, and voices from Washington and regional capitals emphasize disarmament of Hamas and a role for an international security force in Gaza as part of any long‑term stability plan. In parallel, senior Israeli and American officials have signaled that a phased approach to security and governance in Gaza will require coordination with regional partners and a robust international component.
On the ground, Israeli defense efforts continue to respond to incidents in and around Gaza. Israeli jets struck a Hezbollah training camp and a related weapons facility in Lebanon, with Israel saying operatives were identified and targeted. In Gaza itself, Israeli forces conducted operations in and around the Rafah area following an attack that killed two soldiers and wounded several others, labeling it a breach of the ceasefire. Efforts to prevent violence from escalating remain a priority for Israel and for the United States and partners seeking to preserve the ceasefire arrangement while pursuing a broader settlement.
Turning to political developments, Israel’s coalition and opposition parties continue to clash over sovereignty plans in the West Bank. A Knesset vote earlier this week on annexation measures drew strong international scrutiny and prompted public warnings from the United States, including concerns raised by US officials about jeopardizing potential peace arrangements. Prime Minister Netanyahu and coalition leadership have indicated that sovereignty bills will not be advanced under current lines of political discipline, while some opposition figures have pressed forward with proposals. In Washington, officials have underscored that major US support for Israel could be affected by unilateral steps toward annexation, even as they stress continuity of American security commitments. Former president Donald Trump reiterated in a Time magazine interview that annexation would not happen, and his deputy JD Vance separately voiced dissatisfaction with the legislative move during a visit to Israel, insisting the steps were not reflective of US policy.
The broader US-Israel relationship continues to be framed around strength and independence in Israel’s security decisions. Across public remarks, US officials have indicated a preference for Israel to act with security autonomy while seeking to advance a shared regional peace process. In remarks tied to ongoing diplomacy, discussions have highlighted the importance of the Gaza ceasefire holding long enough to enable a phased security arrangement and disarmament efforts, coordinated with Gulf partners and allied states.
International dynamics also influence the Israeli predicament. France issued a third arrest warrant against former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad over deadly chemical attacks in 2013, underscoring a continuing international pursuit of accountability for atrocities. In the region, Turkey has said it is in talks about potentially participating in a Gaza peacekeeping task force, with its military indicating readiness if needed and ongoing consultations with other states about the mission’s scope. Israel has signaled reservations about various contributions, emphasizing the need for a plan that guarantees security and the demilitarization of
Published on 1 week, 5 days ago