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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-28 at 21:09
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The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Today’s update at 5:00 PM looks at a continuing cycle of conflict, diplomacy, domestic decisions, and humanitarian concerns that shape the security landscape in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and allied partners. The pieces below reflect official statements, reported events, and operational decisions that audiences around the world will want to understand in context.
In Gaza, a day of intensified exchange followed a recent pattern: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City and other areas after incidents involving Israeli troops in Rafah and continuing delays in the return of remains of hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed immediate and forceful action in response to what Israel calls repeated violations of the ceasefire by Hamas, including attacks on soldiers. Israel’s Defense Ministry and military leadership emphasized that Hamas has violated commitments under the ceasefire and has not fulfilled obligations to return the bodies of hostages, warning of significant consequences if such behavior continues. Hamas publicly denied responsibility for the Rafah attack that sparked the latest round of strikes and asserted its commitment to the ceasefire, while accusing Israel of violated terms and of provocative actions that broaden the conflict. The Israeli side has also signaled readiness to expand territory under IDF control in Gaza as part of ongoing operations; mediators and Washington are watching closely as discussions about the next steps unfold.
Across the ceasefire corridor, the status of hostage remains and the handling of remains have remained points of contention. Hamas has asserted that it has exerted every effort to secure the return of bodies and has blamed Israel for delays in the process, arguing that Israel’s actions undermine the ceasefire. Israel has countered that Hamas knows where remains are located or is stalling by orchestrating staged or ceremonial recoveries in front of international observers, including the Red Cross. The International Committee of the Red Cross has issued formal statements stressing its role as a neutral mediator and underscoring that the recovery and handling of remains must be conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law, with dignity and confidentiality, and not as a tool for political signaling. The ICRC’s position was repeated after a widely circulated video raised questions about the way remains are recovered and presented to observers. The organization reaffirmed that it cannot participate in or facilitate the removal of corpses that are no longer alive and urged all parties to cooperate to return the dead and missing in a manner consistent with humanitarian standards.
On the diplomatic front, a senior US official described the ceasefire as holding, while acknowledging that minor clashes could occur as both sides continue to operate under intense pressure. The broader US policy stance remains one of backing a ceasefire framework and encouraging compliance with agreed terms, while pressing for progress on humanitarian access and the release or return of captives. There is also talk of coordinating US mediation in ways that preserve momentum toward a more stable arrangement, even as the situation on the ground remains volatile. In parallel, a prominent Republican voice in Congress reiterated support for Israel’s current military actions, arguing that Hamas cannot be allowed to regain strategic ground and that any transition away from military pressure would be premature. The broader US political dialogue continues to wrestle with how to balance security commitments with international diplomacy and humanitarian concerns.
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