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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-31 at 11:06
HEADLINES
- Gaza ceasefire fragile as strikes persist
- Iran backs Iraqi militias regional risk grows
- IDF MAG resigns after detainee abuse video
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 7:00 AM briefing on the Middle East. Our top line today is about the continuing war in Gaza and the fragile balance of the ceasefire that remains the framework for any pause in the fighting. Overnight, Israeli forces carried out additional strikes in the Gaza Strip, with WAFA, the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency, reporting casualties on the Palestinian side. One Palestinian was killed by shelling and another by ground operations, with a third death reported from earlier wounds. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Across the border, the conflict’s footprint remains large, and the risk of renewed clashes persists as both sides position for the next phase of this war.
Turning to the wider regional security picture: Israeli defense and intelligence officials have warned of renewed Iran-backed activity in the region. In particular, sources say Iran is stepping up support to its allied militias in Iraq, and Israeli forces and the Mossad are preparing for the possibility of long-range missiles and drones, as well as potential ground moves if hostilities shift. This comes as Israel maintains a broad posture to deter threats from multiple fronts while continuing its operations against targets linked to Hamas in Gaza.
On the political front at home in Israel, a new public opinion snapshot suggests a possible shift in the balance of power should elections be held today. An opposition bloc would win a Knesset majority in this scenario, according to the poll. The same survey focused on the controversial haredi IDF draft law that the coalition government has been pressing. The results show 43% of respondents opposing the draft framework and 27% supporting it, indicating substantial public concern about how the draft law would be implemented and its broader political implications. Analysts say the findings underscore how security, religious-secular accommodation, and the handling of wartime pressures remain central to Israeli public discourse as parties position themselves for potential elections.
In internal Israel matters, the military legal system has seen a dramatic development. Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the Military Advocate General, stepped down after acknowledging that she approved the release of a video showing the abuse of a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman, in what authorities described as an attempt to counter propaganda. Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated she would not continue in the role, and the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, accepted her decision to leave immediately. An acting Military Advocate General will be appointed, with a process underway to select a permanent replacement. The episode has sharpened debate about military law enforcement and accountability inside the IDF, as investigators examine related matters, including the handling and disclosure of materials connected to the case.
In related security news, a high-stakes episode involving hostages continued to shape international commentary. The Israeli Defense Forces disclosed an unsuccessful mission to rescue hostage Sahar Baruch, whose family has requested that the army formally recognize him as having been killed in captivity. The revelation adds to the ongoing, painful accounting of the October 7 events and the long road to closure for families of missing or slain civilians and soldiers.
On the battlefield in Gaza, observers note that the war has tested the temporary ceasefire and drawn in humanitarian concerns. The Palestinian authority and other regional actors report ongoing casualties in Gaza from recent Israeli operations
Published on 2 days, 23 hours ago