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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-31 at 00:10
HEADLINES
Bodies of Two Hostages Returned, Ceasefire Tested
Leviathan Gas Deal Delayed, US-Israel Rift
UK Sanctions Aliakbar Ansari, Iranian Banker
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
As of 8:00 PM, the latest developments in the Middle East and related global reactions are shaping a day of renewed attention to security, diplomacy, and the broader Jewish and Israeli perspective for an international audience.
In Israel and Gaza, remains of two deceased hostages were returned to Israel after forensic identification. Amiram Cooper, 84, a founding member of Kibbutz Nir Oz and a noted poet, was abducted on October 7, 2023, and authorities have previously said he was murdered in captivity. Sahar Baruch, 25, of Kibbutz Be’eri, was also taken on that day and later killed in captivity. Their identities were confirmed after Hamas handed over two caskets to the Red Cross, with the bodies then transferred to Israel for procedures at Abu Kabir. The recovery marks the first time since a ceasefire arrangement that Hamas has returned deceased hostages, but Israeli officials stressed that 11 living or deceased hostages remain in Gaza. The Israeli government and military say they will continue to pursue the release of all captives and insist that Hamas fulfill its obligations under mediation efforts.
On the battlefield and in political signaling, the Israeli Defense Forces emphasized that the ceasefire framework requires Hamas to release all remaining hostages and to provide full access to assistance and verification by mediators. Hamas, for its part, has repeatedly raised questions about the pace and scope of returns, a contention that has drawn sharp public responses from Israeli leaders and has kept the ceasefire’s long-term viability in question for many observers.
Beyond the hostages, Israel remains focused on the broader security picture in Gaza and along its borders. The government has underscored the need to prevent new surges in violence and to protect civilian life, even as it continues to press the Palestinians’ governing authorities to adhere to the ceasefire terms and allow aid to move into affected areas. The international mediation effort continues to grapple with how to verify Hamas’s adherence while ensuring aid reaches civilians in Gaza who face acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
In the energy realm, a sharp policy divergence between Israel and the United States has emerged over a major gas deal. Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen delayed signature on an agreement involving the Leviathan gas field’s export to Egypt, a deal initially framed as a major regional energy project and a possible cornerstone of broader Egyptian-Israeli cooperation. Cohen cited ongoing disputes with Egypt over the terms of the peace accord, including concerns about Cairo’s security posture in Sinai, ongoing military activity there, and issues surrounding drone and weapon smuggling routes. The delay comes as US officials, led by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, pressed for a timely ratification and as Chevron, a partner in Leviathan, urged finalization. In a related development, Wright canceled a planned visit to Israel, a signal of the widening rift between Washington and Jerusalem over the timing and terms of the export arrangement. Israeli officials stress that any export must preserve domestic gas prices and energy security, while still counting on Washington to support a robust alliance in the face of regional pressures and domestic economic considerations.
On the diplomatic and policy front, international reactions continue to unfold. The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Aliakbar Ansari, an Iranian banker, freezing assets, disqualifying him from directorships, and barring travel, in what officials describe as continued pressure on Iran for its support of the Islamic Revolu
Published on 3 days, 16 hours ago