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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-24 at 08:10
HEADLINES
Gaza Ceasefire Holds as Postwar Governance Debates
Hamas May Release More Hostages This Weekend
Iraq Elections Loom Amid Militias and Uncertainty
The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At four o’clock in the morning, the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile but holding for the moment, as regional and international officials weigh the next steps in the postwar framework. In Jerusalem and Washington, the priority focus is on how to proceed with the second phase of the Gaza deal, including questions of governance, security arrangements, and the future balance of authority in the Strip.
Israeli officials say Hamas could release additional remains of hostages over the weekend, signaling a potential expansion of the exchanges that have taken place since the campaign to recover those held since October. The two hostages identified in the most recent exchange were Arie Zalmanovicz and Tamir Adar. The remains of hostages last returned came on Tuesday night, and Israeli authorities caution that any further transfers depend on developments on the ground and on Hamas’s actions regarding disarmament.
Across the Atlantic, the United States is directing close attention to the ceasefire and the path to the postwar phase. In southern Israel, American officials described the Civil Military Coordination Center in a forward operation as the central hub for monitoring the ceasefire and coordinating the transition. Washington has enlisted partners in Europe and the Middle East to participate in this process, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Denmark, and Jordan, with discussions continuing on how Gaza will be governed, how security will be maintained, and how humanitarian needs will be met.
A central point of debate behind the scenes concerns the role of the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza after an eventual Israeli withdrawal. Some US and Arab partners favor a technocratic Palestinian administration linked to the Authority to run all of Gaza and to gradually displace Hamas’s hold on the territory, with international security forces stepping in as needed. Israel has indicated it would condition any further withdrawal on Hamas’s disarmament, a prerequisite it says is essential for long-term stability. Qatar has signaled a lighter set of conditions for its involvement, while Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates have pressed for a more integrated approach that includes a postwar Palestinian role and international support to stabilize the territory. Israeli officials note that the scope and architecture of this second phase remain in flux, with key details still to be resolved between Washington, Jerusalem, and regional partners.
In congressional and administration circles, there is growing talk of seeking a United Nations mandate for an international security framework in Gaza. A senior US adviser indicated that once the coordination center is fully functioning, the next steps could include presenting a UN-backed framework to sustain governance and security arrangements in Gaza. This potential path reflects a broader attempt to secure international legitimacy and broad-based backing for the postwar stabilization effort. At the same time, allied governments are weighing the political and strategic risks of their involvement, including how to balance Israel’s security needs with broader regional stability and the concerns of Arab publics.
Regionally, attention also turns to Iraq, where elections are approaching amid a climate of violence and a continuing struggle over the influence of Iran-linked militias. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces a testing political landscape as he seeks another term, with candidates numbering in the thousands for a 329-seat parliament. The election features blocs led by former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and other Shiite
Published on 1 week, 4 days ago