Major Palestinian factions, including Hamas, have reached an agreement in Cairo to establish an independent committee of technocrats to administer post-war Gaza. This temporary body will manage daily life and essential services, aiming to unify Palestinian efforts and revitalize the PLO, following claims of 'clear guarantees' that the conflict has effectively ended.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Israel, overseeing the Gaza ceasefire. During his tour, Rubio asserted that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) 'cannot play a role in Gaza,' labeling it a 'subsidiary of Hamas.' This statement comes amidst ongoing international efforts to stabilize Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
The Israeli Knesset has granted preliminary approval to two bills aimed at applying Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, sparking political division and international condemnation. The vote, which occurred during a visit by US Vice President JD Vance, saw Likud MK Yuli Edelstein defy his party to cast a decisive vote, leading to his removal from the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Hamas has returned the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages Aryeh Zalmanovich and Tamir Adar on Tuesday, October 22, following the return of Tal Haimi's remains on Monday. The bodies were transferred via the Red Cross and identified by Israeli authorities, as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Israel for a two-day visit aimed at reinforcing the fragile Gaza ceasefire deal brokered by President Donald Trump. Vance will engage with Israeli leaders and U.S. envoys to advance the peace plan's next phase amidst ongoing tensions.
The Knesset's winter session opening on October 20, 2025, was marked by significant clashes after Speaker Amir Ohana referred to Supreme Court President Isaac Amit as merely a 'judge.' This prompted outrage, protests, and the removal of opposition Members of Knesset, underscoring deep-seated tensions between Israel's legislative and judicial branches.
The United States issued a warning to mediating partners, including Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, about credible intelligence suggesting Hamas might be planning an imminent attack on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The U.S. State Department stated such an act would violate the ceasefire agreement. Hamas vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as 'false' and 'Israeli propaganda'.
Reports indicate Egypt is expected to spearhead an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip, supported by a forthcoming UN Security Council mandate. This initiative aims to secure the territory during a post-conflict transitional period, facilitate demilitarization, and train Palestinian security personnel, with other nations like Turkey and Indonesia potentially contributing troops.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning that infectious diseases in Gaza are 'spiralling out of control'. Only 13 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially functional, exacerbating a public health crisis fueled by damaged infrastructure, overcrowding, and severe shortages of clean water and sanitation. Specific diseases like diarrhea, respiratory infections, and skin conditions are rampant.
Israeli reservist families are grappling with significant financial and emotional burdens as the conflict in Gaza approaches its two-year mark. Recent surveys reveal widespread economic hardship, marital strain, and adverse psychological impacts on children, prompting increased government and non-profit support efforts.
A senior Israeli official has refuted reports that Israel and Hamas have begun negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The official stated that discussions remain focused on the full implementation of the first phase, which includes hostage and prisoner exchanges, initial troop withdrawal, and humanitarian aid delivery.
Israeli occupation forces stormed multiple neighborhoods in Ramallah and al-Bireh in the early hours of Tuesday, October 14, 2025, raiding homes, ransacking properties, and subjecting residents to field investigations. The operations targeted areas including Ein Munjed and Sateh Marhaba, impacting several towns and villages.
Hamas released all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages on Monday, October 13, 2025, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel. The exchange coincided with US President Donald Trump's visit to Israel and an Egypt summit aimed at solidifying the ceasefire and discussing Gaza's future.
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to destroy all remaining Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip following the release of hostages. This operation, involving the IDF and a US-led international mechanism, is a key component of the broader ceasefire agreement aimed at demilitarizing Gaza and disarming Hamas.
The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel has gained significant traction, moving into mainstream discourse with increasing calls to shun Israeli businesses and exclude the country from international events. This surge is largely attributed to Israel's wartime conduct in Gaza, prompting widespread protests and consumer actions globally.
The U.S. Central Command has announced the establishment of a civil-military coordination center in Israel, deploying approximately 200 service members. This center aims to support Gaza stabilization efforts, monitor the recent ceasefire agreement, and facilitate humanitarian aid and security assistance. No U.S. troops will enter Gaza.
Israel's cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, paving the way for a halt in hostilities in Gaza and the release of all remaining hostages. The deal, mediated by President Donald Trump, also includes increased humanitarian aid and an Israeli troop withdrawal from agreed-upon lines. The vote followed an expectation for approval on Thursday evening.
Israeli security forces, the Shin Bet and IDF, intercepted a significant Iranian arms shipment intended for West Bank terror cells on October 8, 2025. The cache included drones, anti-tank rockets, and explosives, part of an ongoing Iranian effort to destabilize the region and arm militants.
Israelis across the country observed the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which claimed approximately 1,200 lives and led to the ongoing war. Commemorations included unofficial gatherings in affected communities and a large rally in Tel Aviv, with calls for hostage release continuing.
Israeli forces continued airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, October 5, leading to at least 24 Palestinian casualties, even as indirect ceasefire talks commenced in Egypt. The continued bombardment occurred despite US President Donald Trump's call for an immediate halt to facilitate peace efforts.
