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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-30 at 13:05
HEADLINES
- Hamas to hand hostage remains 4 PM
- Jerusalem braces for million-man anti-draft protest
- US-led Gaza stabilization force faces veto risk
The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 9:00 AM, officials on both sides of the Gaza-Israel conflict are monitoring several developments with potential to influence the coming days. Hamas has announced it will hand over the remains of two Israeli hostages at 4:00 PM local time, a step that follows claims by the group that it uncovered remains during excavations in Gaza City on Tuesday. Israeli authorities have not publicly confirmed the identifications, and the broader ceasefire framework obligates Hamas to return all hostages held. As of now, reports indicate thirteen captives remain unaccounted for inside Gaza. In recent days, a coffin believed to contain remains was moved from Gaza and later identified through forensic review as belonging to one hostage; that development has fed debate about the scope and pace of any exchange.
In Jerusalem, authorities are bracing for a large ultra-Orthodox demonstration, branded as a “million-man protest,” in opposition to plans to draft yeshiva students into the military. Officials warn of significant traffic disruptions and are preparing for extended rail and road closures, including Route 1 and key downtown routes, with Yitzhak Navon railway station slated to close at 2:00 PM. Police and security services have mobilized to manage crowds and protect public safety as organizers seek to press a message that the state is pressing too hard on Torah study. The event underscores ongoing tensions over conscription policy, judicial intervention, and political alignments within Israeli society.
On the security and legal front, Israel’s Military Advocate General, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, is on leave as investigators examine a criminal probe related to a leaked video that purportedly shows Palestinian detainee abuse by soldiers. The army says it is proceeding with the investigation and is seeking a wartime successor. Separately, alerts have been issued in southern Israel ahead of anticipated protests, with authorities noting ongoing risk assessments and the potential for miscalculation in a volatile security environment.
Internationally, the United States is pursuing its plan for a Gaza stabilization force that would include only Arab and Muslim troops, with a headquarters envisioned in Kiryat Gat. The arrangement is intended to advance governance and security in Gaza without Western boots on the ground. However, observers warn that Russia and China could block a UN mandate, complicating the path forward. Israel has stressed its need to retain security control over Gaza operations as talks continue, reflecting a careful balance of external support and local sovereignty.
Egypt is highlighting a different development: the Grand Egyptian Museum, planned to open this weekend near the Pyramids, is projected to draw millions of additional visitors and contribute to a broader tourism revival in a country seeking to rebound from years of upheaval and regional disruption.
Border dynamics remain tense as Lebanon’s leadership has signaled firmness over cross-border incidents overnight, with the president urging the army to confront Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon. The scene remains sensitive as security forces monitor potential spillover from ongoing hostilities in Gaza and related regional alarms.
In Darfur, Sudan, survivors describe life under pressure as Rapid Support Forces advance into El-Fasher, with more than 36,000 civilians reported as having fled since the offensive began. Civilians describe bodies in the streets and families seeking safety in trenches, prompting urgent warnings from the UN and humanitarian groups about the risk of mass violence and ethnic targeting in
Published on 4 days, 19 hours ago