
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-31 at 11:06
10/31/2025
0:00
7:05
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, while Israeli officials emphasize the need to prevent renewed Hamas aggression and to support the security of Israeli civilians. The broader backdrop remains a battle over whether a durable ceasefire can be sustained, and what concessions or conditions would be required to move beyond a fragile pause.
In another development with regional implications, a security-focused analysis notes that tensions on multiple fronts, including along Israel’s northern and southern corridors, demand vigilance. The border with Jordan remains a crucial flashpoint, and Iran’s regional posture continues to shape Israeli and allied assessments of risk. US policy perspectives in this frame have highlighted support for coordinated efforts to deter escalation and to uphold international humanitarian and human rights standards while seeking to stabilize the region.
A separate column of human stories continues to illuminate the human cost of war. Reports detail the experiences of hostages released in recent exchanges and the endured hardships of families awaiting news of loved ones. There are also accounts from individuals who survived captivity and described the brutal conditions they faced, underscoring the ongoing urgency of relief, accountability, and assurances of safety for all civilians affected by the conflict.
Meanwhile, regional diplomacy persists in various formats. Mediators who have engaged with Israel and Hamas, including Egypt and Qatar, have underscored the need for a durable ceasefire and for urgent humanitarian access to Gaza. The timing and terms of any future arrangement remain under negotiation, with parties watching closely how enforcement, monitoring, and compliance would be structured.
Across the broader Middle East, Yemen’s Houthis have announced that 43 detained local United Nations staff will face trial on suspicions of links to an Israeli airstrike that killed senior Houthi leaders in August. The development sharpens regional tensions and adds another layer to the complex regional security environment that Israel monitors as part of its wider strategic considerations.
In short, the morning landscape presents a Gaza front marked by ongoing conflict and a fragile pause, a regional security outlook that remains volatile given possible Iranian and allied activity, and a domestic political scene in Israel that continues to wrestle with security policies, accountability, and public sentiment about wartime governance. The United States and its partners continue to weigh how best to sustain a pause in hostilities while preventing a broader regional escalation, a task that will require careful diplomacy, clear accountability, and steadfast attention to the frontline realities faced by civilians on all sides. This is your 7:00 AM update.
Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-872301
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-872217
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-872188
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-872300
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872299
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56767
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107934
https://t.me/newssil/177791
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247046
https://worldisraelnews.com/mediators-gave-hamas-24-hours-to-retreat-from-gaza-yellow-line-or-face-israeli-retaliation/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idfs-top-lawyer-quits-says-she-approved-leak-of-detainee-abuse-video/
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56766
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247044
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjemwlmjbg
https://t.me/newssil/177790
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872249
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56765
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56764
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107933
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872298
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247040
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107932
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56763
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-reveals-unsuccessful-mission-to-rescue-hostage-sahar-baruch/
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107928
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/10/israel-launches-more-strikes-gaza-overnight-testing-fragile-truce_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/31/will-mamdani-cancel-the-israeli-day-parade/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247035
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-cop-with-ptsd-seriously-hurt-after-self-immolating-outside-top-defense-officials-home/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247034
https://www.timesofisrael.com/an-eye-for-an-eye-hamas-wrote-message-to-ben-gvir-on-hostage-maxim-herkins-back/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247031
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b15om11fjze
https://t.me/newssil/177788
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/10/houthis-say-43-detained-un-staff-face-trial-over-israeli-attack_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://t.me/newssil/177785
https://t.me/newssil/177775
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872295
- 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, while Israeli officials emphasize the need to prevent renewed Hamas aggression and to support the security of Israeli civilians. The broader backdrop remains a battle over whether a durable ceasefire can be sustained, and what concessions or conditions would be required to move beyond a fragile pause.
In another development with regional implications, a security-focused analysis notes that tensions on multiple fronts, including along Israel’s northern and southern corridors, demand vigilance. The border with Jordan remains a crucial flashpoint, and Iran’s regional posture continues to shape Israeli and allied assessments of risk. US policy perspectives in this frame have highlighted support for coordinated efforts to deter escalation and to uphold international humanitarian and human rights standards while seeking to stabilize the region.
A separate column of human stories continues to illuminate the human cost of war. Reports detail the experiences of hostages released in recent exchanges and the endured hardships of families awaiting news of loved ones. There are also accounts from individuals who survived captivity and described the brutal conditions they faced, underscoring the ongoing urgency of relief, accountability, and assurances of safety for all civilians affected by the conflict.
Meanwhile, regional diplomacy persists in various formats. Mediators who have engaged with Israel and Hamas, including Egypt and Qatar, have underscored the need for a durable ceasefire and for urgent humanitarian access to Gaza. The timing and terms of any future arrangement remain under negotiation, with parties watching closely how enforcement, monitoring, and compliance would be structured.
Across the broader Middle East, Yemen’s Houthis have announced that 43 detained local United Nations staff will face trial on suspicions of links to an Israeli airstrike that killed senior Houthi leaders in August. The development sharpens regional tensions and adds another layer to the complex regional security environment that Israel monitors as part of its wider strategic considerations.
In short, the morning landscape presents a Gaza front marked by ongoing conflict and a fragile pause, a regional security outlook that remains volatile given possible Iranian and allied activity, and a domestic political scene in Israel that continues to wrestle with security policies, accountability, and public sentiment about wartime governance. The United States and its partners continue to weigh how best to sustain a pause in hostilities while preventing a broader regional escalation, a task that will require careful diplomacy, clear accountability, and steadfast attention to the frontline realities faced by civilians on all sides. This is your 7:00 AM update.
Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-872301
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-872217
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-872188
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-872300
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872299
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56767
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107934
https://t.me/newssil/177791
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247046
https://worldisraelnews.com/mediators-gave-hamas-24-hours-to-retreat-from-gaza-yellow-line-or-face-israeli-retaliation/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idfs-top-lawyer-quits-says-she-approved-leak-of-detainee-abuse-video/
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56766
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247044
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjemwlmjbg
https://t.me/newssil/177790
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872249
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56765
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56764
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107933
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872298
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247040
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107932
https://t.me/Newss0nline/56763
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-reveals-unsuccessful-mission-to-rescue-hostage-sahar-baruch/
https://t.me/abualiexpress/107928
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/10/israel-launches-more-strikes-gaza-overnight-testing-fragile-truce_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/31/will-mamdani-cancel-the-israeli-day-parade/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247035
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-cop-with-ptsd-seriously-hurt-after-self-immolating-outside-top-defense-officials-home/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247034
https://www.timesofisrael.com/an-eye-for-an-eye-hamas-wrote-message-to-ben-gvir-on-hostage-maxim-herkins-back/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247031
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b15om11fjze
https://t.me/newssil/177788
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/10/houthis-say-43-detained-un-staff-face-trial-over-israeli-attack_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://t.me/newssil/177785
https://t.me/newssil/177775
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872295
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