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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-25 at 10:06
HEADLINES
Thai Queen Mother Sirikit dies at 93
Turkey expands Gaza role alarms Israel
West Bank olive harvest violence escalates
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
The following is your hourly news update for 6:00 AM.
Thai Queen Mother Sirikit has died at the age of 93, the royal palace announced, after years of hospitalization since 2019 and a bloodstream infection reported on October 17. The passing of Sirikit closes a chapter in Thailand’s modern monarchy, with the royal household saying the queen would be remembered for her public service and cultural influence.
In Israel, cultural life continues to flourish alongside security concerns, with Malka, the Tel Aviv kosher dining venue led by celebrity chef Eyal Shani, drawing crowds and a festive mood described by patrons and staff as if life were normal. Nearby, Whisky Live 2025 showcased a spectrum of Israeli spirits and global whiskies, featuring workshops, tastings, and opportunities to lounge or dine in a social setting.
On the geopolitical front, Turkey’s expanding role in Gaza and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s broader regional ambitions are drawing attention from Israel and its allies. Officials say there have been no formal discussions or a clear policy framework established with Ankara over its involvement, leaving many in Jerusalem and allied capitals uneasy about what steps could come next as Turkey pursues its neo-Ottoman influence.
In the West Bank, violence linked to the olive harvest season continues to surface in volatile incidents. In al-Mughayyir, a village north of Ramallah, at least three vehicles were set ablaze by assailants overnight in a clash with residents. Palestinian sources described ongoing tensions and a pattern of attacks targeting olive harvesters and their workers in the area, part of a broader cycle of violence associated with the harvest and security operations. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on those specific incidents. Separately, similar attacks were reported in the nearby town of Aqraba, with Palestinian harvesters sustaining minor injuries. The situation reflects a broader pattern seen in recent years, as olive groves and livelihoods in rural West Bank communities remain vulnerable amid longer-term security concerns.
Beyond the battlefield, the international diplomacy landscape features a sharp critique from Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva about multilateral institutions. Speaking ahead of a regional summit and a meeting with US leaders, Lula accused the United Nations and other multilateral bodies of failing to halt the Gaza conflict, drawing a sharp contrast with Israel’s stance that it is pursuing security measures against Hamas. Jerusalem rejects the genocide framing and has pointed to the ongoing ceasefire arrangements and humanitarian considerations as central to any international discussions. The evolving dynamic comes as former US President Donald Trump travels internationally, with discussions touching on peace processes and regional alignments that could influence Israel’s security and diplomatic posture.
On the humanitarian and security front, Al-Kahera, an Egyptian media outlet, reported that from October 18 through 23, 2062 aid trucks entered Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, averaging about 340 trucks per day. The claims reflect ongoing corridors of relief into Gaza amid a tense security environment, with Israel maintaining its responsibilities for border control and humanitarian access while insisting on conditions tied to security concerns and Hamas disarmament.
Separately, the German-based anti-Israel advocacy group HRF filed a formal complaint with German authorities regarding an IDF combat engineer seen in Gaza footage allegedly engaging in activities such as smoking and posing with com
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