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.
Officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan are convening in Istanbul, Turkiye, for a second round of talks aimed at de-escalating border tensions and addressing cross-border terrorist activities. The discussions follow a recent ceasefire brokered in Doha, Qatar, and seek to establish a verifiable monitoring mechanism to ensure regional peace and stability.
Pakistan's government has banned the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing its involvement in violent and terrorist activities. The decision follows recent deadly clashes during a 'Gaza solidarity' march, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries among protesters and law enforcement personnel.
Seven injured children from the Gaza Strip, accompanied by 27 family members, have arrived in Switzerland for highly specialized medical care. This humanitarian operation, a collaboration between the Swiss government, WHO, MSF, and Rega, marks the first phase of a broader initiative to treat approximately 20 children.
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.
Thousands of Greek citizens gathered in Chania, Crete, on December 28, 2023, to protest the docking of the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier at Souda Port. Demonstrators linked the US military presence to alleged support for Israel's actions in Gaza and called for the closure of foreign military bases in Greece.
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 United Kingdom has dispatched a small contingent of planning officers, including a senior commander, to Israel. This deployment is in response to a US request and aims to support the monitoring of the fragile Gaza ceasefire as part of a US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC). The British personnel will not operate within Gaza itself.
European Union foreign ministers convened in Luxembourg on October 20, 2025, under the chairmanship of High Representative Kaja Kallas, to tackle pressing global challenges. Discussions centered on Russian aggression against Ukraine, including a planned 19th sanctions package, bolstering EU-Indo-Pacific relations, and navigating the intricate developments in the Middle East, particularly the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and a US-backed peace initiative.
Five Palestinian plaintiffs, supported by German and Palestinian human rights organizations including ECCHR, have filed a complaint at Germany's Federal Constitutional Court. The legal challenge targets German arms export licenses to Israel, specifically tank transmissions, arguing they violate constitutional duties and international law amidst the conflict in Gaza.
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.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has repeatedly cautioned against Egypt's involvement in the Gaza conflict, highlighting the profound economic repercussions. He emphasized that such a war would severely impact key sectors like tourism and Suez Canal revenues, exacerbating existing financial strains and potentially setting the country back by years.
The Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), designated a terror organization by Israel, has launched extensive debris removal and humanitarian aid operations in northern Gaza. The initiative, supported by the Turkish government, aims to rehabilitate war-damaged areas and provide essential supplies to residents.
Germany will deploy three unarmed military personnel, including a brigadier general, to a US-led Civil Military Coordination Center in southern Israel. Their mission is to support the monitoring of the Gaza ceasefire, coordinate humanitarian aid, and assist in planning for a multinational stabilization force.
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'.
Brazil's First Lady, Janja Lula da Silva, announced the nation's commitment to send humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, to the Gaza Strip. The announcement, made at the World Food Forum in Rome, underscores Brazil's solidarity and concern over severe malnutrition and the slow international response to the humanitarian crisis.
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.
Malta's Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg visited the Palestinian embassy in Valletta on October 17, 2025, reaffirming Malta's commitment to Palestinian rights and the two-state solution, following the nation's official recognition of the State of Palestine.
