Israeli Army Chief Lieutenant General Yaal Zamir has declared that the war in Gaza will continue until Hamas returns the bodies of all Israeli hostages killed during the conflict. Speaking at a conference of IDF lieutenant commanders in Jerusalem on October 27, Zamir emphasized that the mission remains “sacred,” with two key goals — recovering the bodies of Israeli hostages and sustaining the campaign against Hamas. He stressed that the Israel Defense Forces are committed to fulfilling their moral and professional duty with courage and determination. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths. Although a ceasefire brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump began on October 10, the issue of returning the bodies of deceased hostages continues to hinder lasting peace.

Hamas, the Palestinian nationalist group, said it would disarm only if Israeli occupation ends and a sovereign Palestinian state is established. Senior spokesman Khalil al-Hayya said decisions about the movement’s weapons are tied to the presence of Israeli occupation and aggression. AFP reported Israel has demanded Hamas disarm as part of ending the two-year war, and the United States has made progress on a twenty-point plan conditional on surrendering arms. Al-Hayya said that if occupation ends, weapons could be transferred to a state authority, though he did not name one. Hamas also signalled it will not resume direct governance of Gaza after the conflict and rejected Western calls for fighters to disarm immediately. The group insists fighters would surrender arms only after an independent Palestinian state is formed and be integrated into its military. Separately, Hamas agreed to hand administration to a proposed technocratic committee but refused to relinquish weapons.

More than 20 pro-Ukraine nations have pledged to phase out Russian oil and gas from global markets to curb funding for President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts. Following the “Coalition of the Willing” summit in London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said allies are working to “cut off financing for Russia’s war machine.” The UK and US recently sanctioned Russia’s two biggest oil companies, while the EU targeted its LNG exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that mounting pressure is the only way to stop the war, though no new missile supply deal was announced. U.S. President Donald Trump has declined to send Tomahawk missiles for now, while Putin warned of a “devastating” response if Russian territory is attacked. The EU will continue financial aid for Ukraine but has yet to decide on using €140 billion in frozen Russian assets.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised Qatar for its crucial role in implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement and promoting peace in the Middle East. During a meeting aboard Air Force One in Doha on Saturday, en route to the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Trump met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Trump highlighted the “incredible progress” made together over the past year toward establishing regional peace, thanking Qatar for its leadership. He hinted that Qatari forces could participate in ensuring a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. The Qatari Emir later posted on X that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss peace plans, the Gaza truce progress, and bilateral strategic cooperation. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that forming a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza might require UN or international authorization.

Kirill Dmitriev, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has announced that Moscow is “very close” to reaching a diplomatic settlement with Washington and Kyiv to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking to CNN after arriving in Washington for meetings with U.S. officials, Dmitriev confirmed that a planned meeting between Putin and President Donald Trump has not been canceled and will take place at a later date. He emphasized that discussions continue despite new U.S. sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. European diplomats indicate that the EU is preparing a new ceasefire proposal consistent with previous frameworks, keeping the U.S. as the main mediator. Dmitriev also highlighted that Ukrainian President Zelensky’s acknowledgment of frontline realities could help build a bridge between the conflicting parties. He warned that sanctions might inadvertently raise gasoline prices in the U.S.

In the span of a single week, Russian forces have taken control of ten new settlements across Ukraine’s Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia provinces, according to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 24. The ministry reported that during the same period, Russian troops destroyed 22 depots containing Ukrainian weapons and military equipment. Ukrainian forces attempted several airstrikes targeting Russian positions but were reportedly repelled, resulting in the loss of one Su-27 fighter jet, four cruise missiles, 18 guided aviation bombs, 15 HIMARS rockets, and 1,441 drones. Over the past three years, Russia has occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson provinces, covering about 10% of Ukraine’s territory. Ukraine continues efforts to reclaim these regions, with no immediate sign of the conflict ending.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed responsibility for killing Abbas Hassan Karki, Hezbollah’s southern front logistics chief, in a drone strike near the town of Toul in southern Lebanon on October 24. According to the IDF, Karki had led efforts to rebuild Hezbollah’s combat capabilities, assisted in reconstructing damaged infrastructure, and oversaw weapons transfers and storage in the region. The IDF described his actions as a violation of the understanding between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health confirmed that two people were killed and two injured in the strike but did not comment on Israel’s claim regarding Karki. The attack comes amid ongoing tensions, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November 2024, following a conflict that killed over 4,000 people, injured 17,000+, and displaced roughly 1.4 million Lebanese.

Two weeks after the ceasefire in Gaza, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that hunger and malnutrition remain at catastrophic levels. The agency said that Israeli restrictions are preventing sufficient humanitarian aid, including food, from reaching the besieged population. The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) revealed it can deliver only 750 tons of food daily—far below its 2,000-ton goal—due to limited entry points. A UN report noted that a quarter of Gaza’s population, including 11,500 pregnant women, faces hunger, while 70% of newborns are premature or underweight. Aid groups, including Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council, accused Israel of indiscriminately blocking relief shipments. Local NGOs report rising food prices and shortages of nutritious items like seeds and olives. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the situation remains dire as aid entering Gaza is far below what’s needed.

A day after the scheduled Putin–Trump summit was postponed, Russia carried out a large-scale nuclear exercise involving intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of striking the United States. The Kremlin released footage of military chief General Valery Gerasimov briefing President Vladimir Putin on the drill. The move comes as tensions over the Ukraine war remain high and NATO conducts its own nuclear deterrence drills. While the White House confirmed there are currently no plans for a Putin–Trump meeting, both sides stressed the need for serious preparation. Reports suggest Russia has told Washington that full control of Ukraine’s Donbas region is a condition for peace — rejecting Trump’s ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine exchanged heavy missile strikes overnight, causing deaths and power outages. European defense stocks rose after the meeting delay, while Ukraine urged allies for more energy aid ahead of winter to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Ukraine carried out a major missile strike on Russia’s Bryansk Chemical Plant on October 22, using British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian military officials described the operation as a “successful strike,” claiming the attack penetrated Russian air defenses and targeted a key facility in Russia’s military-industrial complex. The plant reportedly produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components, which are allegedly used by Russian forces in attacks on Ukrainian territory. Russia has not yet issued an official response. Kyiv maintains that targeting facilities critical to Moscow’s war machinery is necessary to weaken Russia’s offensive capabilities. The strike coincides with European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announcing plans to intensify pressure on Russia’s economy and defense industry until President Vladimir Putin agrees to peace negotiations. Early Wednesday, Russia launched another air raid on Kyiv, highlighting the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 and continues to involve territorial disputes including Crimea.

Israeli air and ground assaults continue in Gaza, intensifying concerns about the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. The Palestinian Civil Defense reported four people killed in two separate incidents in the Al-Shifa area, while Israeli forces claim they targeted militants crossing the designated “yellow line.” Residents say widespread destruction makes the line nearly impossible to identify. Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. At least 42 people, including children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on October 19, which Israel calls retaliation for the killing of two soldiers by Hamas, a claim the group denies. Humanitarian aid delivery faces delays due to multiple checkpoints, despite Israel announcing a partial resumption of the ceasefire. U.S. envoys, including Steve Whitlock and Jared Kushner, have met with Israeli officials, while Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to visit. Discussions on Hamas disarmament and Gaza administration reforms remain contentious.

Russia launched massive missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s northern regions on Monday, severely damaging energy infrastructure and causing widespread power outages. Several areas in Chernihiv province, which receives electricity from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, were left without power after energy facilities were hit. It remains unclear whether the Chernobyl plant itself was targeted. In nearby Slavutych, about 45 kilometers from Chernobyl, parts of the city lost electricity, though emergency systems kept water supplies running. Local authorities and emergency crews are working to restore power. Reuters could not independently verify the attacks, and Moscow has made no comment. The strikes come amid escalating assaults on Ukraine’s energy sector, while Ukraine has responded with drone attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities. Over a million people across Ukraine have faced blackouts this month due to repeated Russian attacks.

Israeli forces launched new airstrikes and opened fire in Gaza despite an ongoing ceasefire, killing several Palestinians and sparking fears that the fragile truce could collapse. According to Al Jazeera, four civilians were killed in the Al-Shaaf area of Gaza City when they returned to inspect their destroyed homes. The Israeli army claimed they fired on militants who had crossed a boundary known as the “yellow line,” established under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on October 10. Since then, Gaza authorities report at least 97 Palestinians killed, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement. Last Sunday, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed 42 people, including children. Hamas denied Israeli claims of attacks near Rafah and accused Israel of seeking excuses to restart the conflict. Despite threats to block humanitarian aid, Israel later confirmed it would maintain the truce. The UN said aid deliveries to Gaza have resumed.

Although a ceasefire officially took effect in Gaza last Friday, Israeli attacks have persisted, resulting in at least 97 Palestinian deaths and over 230 injuries, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office and Al Jazeera. The office reported that Israel has violated the truce agreement 80 times since it began. Israel claims its recent strikes were in retaliation for alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas, but Hamas has denied the accusations. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire remains in effect and that Washington is ensuring the situation stays calm. French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks urging immediate humanitarian relief for Palestinians and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Both leaders emphasized working together toward a two-state solution. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 68,000 Palestinians and injured more than 170,000.

Following intense airstrikes across the Gaza Strip that left at least 45 Palestinians dead, Israel has announced the reinstatement of a ceasefire. According to the Times of Israel, Israeli forces launched heavy attacks throughout Sunday (October 19) after claiming that two soldiers were killed and three seriously wounded in a Hamas assault near Rafah. Hamas, however, denied any involvement in the incident. Despite that, Israeli forces continued bombings in several parts of Gaza. Later in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared that the ceasefire was being re-enforced based on “political-level instructions” following a series of operations in Gaza. Meanwhile, Gaza’s media office reported that since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israeli forces have violated it at least 80 times, killing 97 Palestinians and injuring over 230. Gaza’s Health Ministry states that since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed 68,159 Palestinians and injured 170,203 others.