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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-31 at 07:06
HEADLINES
Israel pursues wartime tribunal for Hamas Nukhba
US blocks 35B Egypt gas deal
Israel ups Jordan Valley early warning system
The time is now 3:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 3:00 AM, this is the hourly update on the evolving security and political landscape in the Middle East and related global developments.
In Israel, authorities announced steps to strengthen accountability for the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. An intent to establish a special tribunal to prosecute Hamas Nukhba terrorists is moving forward, with an oversight committee to discuss the policy of wartime trials but prohibited from commenting on individual cases. The move reflects a broader effort to address the legal dimensions of the attack and to reinforce domestic and international expectations for justice and deterrence, even as the broader conflict remains unresolved.
In a symbolic moment in Ramat Gan, Meitar Law Firm honored former hostage Omri Miran with a poster removal ceremony. The banner previously displayed on a building during Miran’s captivity served as a public symbol of hope and solidarity with hostages’ families. The event underscores the persistent emotional and political significance of hostages in Israeli public life, even as discussions proceed about release timelines and negotiations.
Israel continues to articulate its security priorities in concrete terms. The government has announced the establishment of a security framework that includes upgrading physical barriers and integrating sensors, reconnaissance, and operational teams as part of a broader Jordan Valley security fence project. The plan is described as a component of an integrated system designed to enhance early warning and rapid response capabilities along a strategic corridor.
On the demographic front, Israel’s aliyah continues to shape the country's social and economic contours. Since October 2023, new immigrants to Israel have approached 53,765, reflecting sustained interest among Jews worldwide to relocate despite ongoing conflict. The influx comes as housing and labor markets respond to shifting population dynamics, with policymakers emphasizing the need to expand supply and support integration.
Public sentiment remains deeply tied to the fate of hostages. Former hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, speaking after his return, thanked Israelis for their support and extended condolences to families of those who did not survive or who remain unaccounted for. The ongoing sorrow connected to the October 7 attacks continues to color political calculations and humanitarian concerns on both sides of the conflict.
In media and political discourse, questions about accountability and transparency in reporting persist. Haaretz reported on internal matters involving a prominent Israeli journalist, highlighting ongoing debates about funding and editorial independence in a climate of heightened scrutiny over security reporting and political influence.
The United States remains engaged in a broader security conversation that extends beyond the Middle East. In comments weighing on regional and global stability, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the United States will stoutly defend its interests in Asia as tensions rise over Taiwan and the South China Sea. While not a Middle East issue per se, such statements illuminate the interconnectedness of US defense posture and regional security dynamics, including those affecting Israel and allied partners.
In a separate energy policy development, the United States and its allies face tensions over a major gas export agreement involving Egypt. Reports indicate that US Energy Secretary Chris Wright canceled a planned visit to Israel after Israel’s energy minister withheld approval of a roughly $35 billion gas export deal with Egypt. The episode highlights how energy d
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