We’re pausing this blog for now
We’ll resume updates or have a fresh blog on the morning of October 24.
Warning sirens in Israel a ‘false identifcation’: IDF
Sirens that sounded in Israeli communities close to the border with Gaza early on Friday were a “false identification,” the Israeli military said in a statement on Telegram.
The IDF reported around 1 a.m. local time (22:00) that sirens had sounded in communities near the Mefalsim area in southern Israel that is less than 2km (1.2 miles) from the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s siren system warns of oncoming threats, such as rocket and missile attacks, giving people time to seek shelter.
Secretary of State Rubio arrives in Israel to discuss Gaza’s future
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyanhu, where the two discussed the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan for the region.
According to Rubio, his visit was to “reaffirm America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security,” as well as “engage with partners” regarding Trump’s peace plan, which Rubio called “historic” on his X account.
Israeli media reported US and Israeli officials would discuss issue of the Gaza Strip’s transitional government during Rubio’s visit.
Arrived in Israel to reaffirm America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and engage with partners to implement President Trump’s historic peace plan and build on the momentum towards durable peace and integration in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/kwspzUCaFP
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 23, 2025
Hamas, Fatah hold meeting in Egypt regarding Gaza — report
Delegations from rival Palestinian factions Hamasand Fatah are holding a meeting in Egypt to discuss “arrangements after ending the war in Gaza” as part of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan, according to Egyptian outlet Al-Qahera News.
The delegations were meeting “to discuss the national scene in general and arrangements after ending the war in Gaza,” according to the report.
Al-Qahera News is known to be close to the country’s intelligence services
The report also said Egypt is preparing to hold a conference on the reconstruction of Gaza in the second half of November.
WATCH: Grieving Gaza father searches for family buried under rubble
In Gaza, the bodies of thousands of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes remain trapped under the rubble. Without heavy machinery, however, rescue efforts are stalled. DW accompanied a grieving father on his mission to retrieve the remains of his wife and children.
Israeli court orders government to present new position on journalists entering Gaza
Israel’s Supreme Court gave the government 30 days to present its position in regards to foreign journalists entering the Gaza Strip.
This comes in light of the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Israel has prevented reporters from entering the enclave since the war with Hamas started on October 7, 2023, resulting in Palestinian journalists being the only ones on the ground.
Some 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli fire in the past two years, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Israeli minister apologizes for saying Saudis should ‘keep on riding camels’
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich apologized for saying Saudi Arabia should “keep on riding camels in the desert” if they make normalization with Israel dependent on the establishment of a Palestinian state.
“My quote was certainly unfortunate and I apologize for the insult it caused,” Smotrich posted on his X account.
The far-right Israeli politician also added that he “expects the Saudis not to hurt us and not deny the heritage, tradition and rights of the Jewish people” in the occupied West Bank.
The ultranationalist minister has long called for Israel to annex the Palestinian territory and has worked to expand Israeli settlements there.
Saudi Arabia has said that the establishment of a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for the kingdom’s normalization of ties with Israel.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/trump-israel-could-lose-us-support-if-it-annexes-west-bank/live-74471685
