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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-25 at 18:06
HEADLINES
Israel strikes central Gaza foiling Jihad attack
Gaza stabilization force eyed Azerbaijan and Indonesia
Israel kills Hezbollah special forces commander
The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
The Israeli military says it struck central Gaza after foiling an imminent attack by Islamic Jihad against Israeli forces, a move tied to a continuing ceasefire in the area. The Israeli Defense Forces described the strike as a warning to groups plotting violence, underscoring the operational tempo as tensions persist along the Gaza border.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has directed the Israel Defense Forces to destroy Hamas tunnels in Gaza behind the withdrawal line, calling the mission Israel’s central objective alongside the protection of soldiers and local communities. The order signals a renewed emphasis on neutralizing the tunnel network that persists beneath the strip, even as the military maintains its combat posture in the current phase of the conflict.
In Washington, Senator Marco Rubio said the United States is seeking input on the concept of a Gaza international force and that discussions on the matter are planned in Doha with Qatari leaders during a refueling stop. US officials have signaled support for an international component as part of broader discussions about security arrangements and humanitarian access in Gaza, while insisting that any force be shaped and supervised with clear approval from Israel.
Across the United States and within Jewish communities, debate continues over leadership voices and policy directions. An ongoing discussion has spread among Jewish groups in the United States over the stance of some political figures, with thousands of rabbis signing letters urging unity and cautioning against politicization at a time of heightened security concerns. The conversations reflect a broader anxiety about how domestic political dynamics intersect with international diplomacy and security commitments in the region.
In the broader security context, Israeli forces reported the killing of a Hezbollah special forces commander linked to operations in southern Lebanon, a reminder that the conflict along Israel’s northern front remains active and interconnected with developments in Gaza. The clash underlines the regional dimension of the security challenge that Israel faces as it pursues its tactical objectives.
Turning to hostage-related diplomacy, Egyptian teams are reported to be entering Gaza to help locate the remains of hostages and dead fighters, a process being pursued under international mediation and American pressure. Israel has signaled a willingness to allow a foreign stabilization presence to assist in locating remains, but with safeguards and governance arrangements that keep ultimate authority over entry and exit in Israeli hands. Mediators say that if additional remains are recovered in coming days, Israel may consider a partial reopening of the Rafah crossing, though this remains contingent on assurances surrounding the handling of remains and the overall pace of negotiations. The proposed international stabilization force would be staffed by participants with Azerbaijan and Indonesia identified as core contributors, and would be monitored by European Union personnel and Israeli security agencies to prevent the transfer of weapons or other material that could threaten security on either side.
At the same time, humanitarian work on the ground in Gaza continues with a coordinated international footprint. Bulldozers and construction crews are leveling areas in zones under Israeli control to create space for permanent housing for displaced residents, while infrastructure for electricity, water, and sewage is being laid and foundations poured for schools and clinics. More than a dozen countries, alongside United Nations agencies, p
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