Israel says it's preparing to open Gaza Strip's Rafah crossing | Morning News Bulletin 17 October 2025

Contingency plans developed for sending Australian troops to help secure peace in Gaza; Australia signs a tax treaty with Ukraine; and in the AFL, Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan heads the Gold Coast Suns.

Israel delays the reopening of the Rafah crossing; Homicide detectives called in to probe a fatal fire in the central Queensland city of Gladstone; And in cricket, Marnus Labuschagne set to return to Australia's Test team.

New powers announced to combat terrorism financing and crime related to crypto ATMs; Australia's unemployment rate rises to 4.5 per cent; and in sport, tributes for Ariarne Titmus after she announces her immediate retirement from competitive swimming.

Fragile ceasefire in Gaza tested; a court ruling finds the New South Wales government's anti-protest laws are unconstitutional; and in swimming, Ariarne Titmus retires from competitive swimming.

Pakistan and Afghanistan announce temporary ceasefire after fresh border clashes; First Nations deaths in custody reaching record levels in New South Wales; And in cricket, Pakistan go 1-0 up in the two-match Test series with South Africa.

Australian Gaza aid flotilla activists urge the federal government to impose an arms embargo on Israel.; the Northern Territory Chief Minister defends a ban on transgender women being placed in female jails; and in football, the Socceroos unbeaten streak under Tony Popovic comes to an end.

Hamas hands over four bodies of hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross; a grim milestone reached for Aboriginal deaths in custody in New South Wales; and Australia's women's cricket side prepares for their showdown with Bangladesh.

In this bulletin, Israel and Hamas trade accusations as the fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza; Victoria to reform its assisted dying laws; and in sport, South Sydney vows to take a strong stand against winger Tyrone Munro, who's facing DV charges.

In this bulletin, aid agencies call for greater access to the Gaza Strip to meet overwhelming demand, an advertising campaign targets teens ahead of an under-16 social media ban. And in football, Cape Verde qualifies for the World Cup for the first time.

In this bulletin, scenes of jubilation as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners return home, the United Nations urges leaders to use the momentum of the exchange to create peace in Gaza. And in football, Spain plans to continue its winning streak as it strives for World Cup qualification.