Israel Brief: Monday, October 13
Freedom returned, hatred remains. Vigilance is the price of peace.
Shalom, friends.
Israel breathed today. Twenty living hostages returned. Families held them; the country watched and wept. U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting, speaking in the Knesset and basking in a historic role. I respect the moment and the help. I also refuse fantasy. The war is not “over.” A chapter closed. Israel still faces enemies who plan openly for the death of Israel and all Jews — work toward it while cameras are currently tracking ceremonies.
Read this briefing with two tracks in mind. First, the mechanics and morality of the exchange: amended prisoner lists, IDF deterrence across Judea and Samaria, and the human ledger of return and loss. Second, the map that actually matters now: armed clans now fighting Hamas are not friends of Israel. Many preach less while they reload. Indoctrination runs deep; “Palestinian” society, fed by parts of the Arab world, has taught generations to hate Jews and to sanctify our erasure. Do not confuse their feud with Hamas for a bid for peace. The road ahead is long. Israel carries Hatikvah — hope — and keeps its eyes open. We are turning a page, and we are staying wary.
The War Today
Gov’t approves amendments for soon-to-be released terrorist in urgent telephone vote
Israeli ministers held an emergency phone vote to amend the list of prisoners slated for release in the first phase of the hostage deal, swapping out several Fatah-linked and Hamas-linked detainees and removing seven minors. The revisions reduce the total number to 1,718 prisoners, even as Hamas accused Israel of “changing the lists” and warned that Netanyahu could resume fighting without external pressure. The exchange process remains closely monitored by Egypt, Qatar, and the ICRC amid ongoing implementation disputes. Read more →
‘We are watching you’: IDF posters blanket West Bank before Palestinian prisoner release
Ahead of the first prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire deal, the IDF distributed Arabic-language warning posters across Judea and Samaria, cautioning residents against rallies or public displays of support for terrorist groups. The messages signaled Israel’s zero-tolerance policy for incitement during the sensitive release process, as U.S. President Trump arrived in Israel to address the Knesset. Read more →
Palestinian cop who joined lynching of 2 Israeli reservists to go free in Gaza deal
Raed Sheikh, a former “Palestinian” police officer convicted for the 2000 Ramallah police-station lynching of IDF reservists Vadim Norzhich and Yossi Avrahami, is slated for release under the ceasefire–hostage exchange and will be deported abroad. The move comes as Israel prepares to free 250 life-term prisoners alongside larger releases, while bereaved families decry the decision and Hamas pushes to add senior terror leaders to the lists. Read more →
Hamas official: Israel altered prisoner lists, warns Netanyahu will renew war
Hamas political bureau member Ghazi Hamad accused Israel of changing prisoner lists under the ceasefire-for-hostages deal and warned that Prime Minister Netanyahu might “return to aggression” in Gaza if not restrained by outside pressure. Speaking from Cairo, Hamad said Hamas was working with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to ensure the agreement proceeds “as stated,” even as disputes over prisoner names continued. The next phase of the deal is expected to include the release of 20 Israeli hostages and over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners. Read more →
Gaza militia commander tells ynet: ‘Hamas is weak — it’s only a matter of time until it falls’
A Gaza militia leader says that Hamas’ grip on power is collapsing amid growing clan resistance and internal chaos. Hossam al-Astal, commander of the al-Majida militia in Khan Younis, said his forces now control parts of the city with Israeli coordination and vowed to “topple Hamas fighters for good.” Local militias aligned against Hamas are expanding control across Gaza as the terror group faces mounting rebellion from armed clans and dwindling resources. Read more →
Inside Israel’s Heart
There are days when Israel’s story cannot be divided between war and peace, or politics and prayer. Today is one of them. The hostages are home. Not all of them, not yet in the way we hoped—but home. The families who held vigils, the country that stopped breathing every time a list was read, finally saw faces instead of numbers.
This section runs longer than usual. It’s not about headlines or political positioning. It’s about the people who endured captivity, those still waiting, and those we can only bury in words.
All 20 living hostages back in Israel, 2 years after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack
All 20 surviving hostages returned to Israel under the US-brokered ceasefire deal, with scenes of reunions in Hostages Square and at Re’im. Hamas skipped release ceremonies but allowed phone calls with families while masked gunmen hovered on screen, a jarring coda to 738 days of captivity; bodies of murdered captives are due to follow. Read more →
Who are the 20 living Israeli hostages released under Trump’s Gaza deal? – explainer
Twenty Israeli hostages were released earlier this morning under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The Jerusalem Post profiles each captive — from Nova Festival survivors to kibbutz families — tracing their abductions on October 7, 2023, and the faint signals of life that kept hope alive. The article captures both the personal cost of the war and the human stakes behind the first phase of the Trump-brokered hostage deal. Read more →
‘We forgot we have a prime minister’: Mother of hostage thanks Netanyahu
Ruchama Bohbot, mother of hostage Elkana Bohbot, publicly thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu for his efforts to secure the hostages’ release, saying Israelis had “forgotten” to appreciate his role. Her comments, made as the first phase of the ceasefire deal begins, contrasted with boos that greeted Netanyahu’s name at Hostages Square the night before. Her son, kidnapped at the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, is among those expected to be freed under the Red Cross-supervised exchange. Read more →
Thousands of Israelis play piano to honor hostage Alon Ohel
Israelis flooded social media with piano performances after Alon Ohel’s mother called for a nationwide musical tribute to the gifted pianist, now expected to be freed under the hostage deal. Top artists joined the effort, turning Hostages Square and living rooms across the country into a concert of solidarity as concern over Ohel’s health persists. Read more →
Who is German-Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski, one of the heroes of Nova? – explainer
Rom Braslavski, a 21-year-old German-Israeli medic and security guard, was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival after trying to fight off Hamas terrorists with stones to protect others. Testimonies describe him rescuing wounded civilians even while injured himself; later videos showed him emaciated, abused, and near starvation in Islamic Jihad captivity. His courage at Re’im and his suffering in Gaza have made him one of the enduring symbols of Israel’s hostage ordeal. Read more →
Yossi Sharabi, 53: Surfer and soccer fan who ‘was all heart’
Kibbutz Be’eri resident Yossi Sharabi was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and later killed in captivity—apparently during an IDF strike on a nearby building where he was held with other hostages. A father of three and a devoted community member, Yossi’s story embodies the courage and tragedy of Be’eri’s residents, many of whom were murdered or abducted that day. Read more →
Tal Haimi, 41: Engineer and dad had ‘a smile that inspired confidence’
Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak’s Tal Haimi fell on October 7 while fighting Hamas as part of the local rapid response team; terrorists kidnapped his body to Gaza, leaving his family to mourn without a burial. The profile traces his life from Paratroopers service to engineering work and a home built with his wife, Ela, as the kibbutz lost six defenders that day. Read more →
Eitan Levy, 53: Cab driver and doting dad was ‘very family oriented’
Hamas murdered Bat Yam resident Eitan Levy on October 7 and dragged his body into Gaza; months later authorities confirmed his death, leaving his family to sit shivah (seven-day mourning) without a funeral. The profile traces his life of steady work and close family ties, and the cruelty of a body held hostage. Read more →
Uriel Baruch, 35: Father of two was a ‘man of joy and happiness’
Jerusalem’s Uriel Baruch was murdered while fleeing the Nova festival on October 7; Hamas took his body to Gaza, leaving his family to sit shivah without a funeral. The profile traces his life from Kfar Saba to Ramat Shlomo, his love of music and family, and the loss borne by his wife and two young sons. Read more →
The hostages who walked back into Israel this week crossed more than a border. They crossed the line between nightmare and daylight, between two years of war and whatever comes next. Their return does not end anything. It begins something harder: rebuilding the human heart of a people who have learned too much about endurance.
Tomorrow, as we step into Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, we close the book on one year of sorrow and open another in faith. The names here—living and gone—are part of that scroll now. We read them aloud because we must. And because, after everything, we still believe in return.
Israel and the World
Netanyahu won’t attend ‘Peace Summit’ due to Simchat Torah holiday
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled plans to attend the Trump- and Sissi-led “Peace Summit” in Sharm el-Sheikh after objections from ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, who said the trip would desecrate Simchat Torah. The summit aims to mark the official end of the Gaza war and discuss postwar stabilization. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s president—whose country has no formal ties with Israel—is expected to visit Jerusalem, signaling a potential diplomatic thaw. Read more →
18 cops injured in clashes with anti-Israel rioters in Swiss capital
An unauthorized “pro-Palestinian” rally in Bern drew roughly 5,000 black-clad rioters who attacked police with rocks, bottles, fireworks, and even construction gear, injuring 18 officers and causing millions in damage. Authorities detained over 500 people as water cannons and tear gas cleared streets littered with smashed shopfronts and torched police vehicles. Read more →
Thousands turn out for London Palestine march despite ceasefire agreement
Despite the newly brokered Israel–Hamas ceasefire, tens of thousands marched through central London under the banner of the “Palestine Coalition,” chanting calls for “intifada” and “death to the IDF.” Police made at least 14 arrests amid a sea of “Free Palestine” and “Stop Arming Israel” placards. The march reflects Britain’s ongoing polarization over Israel and growing tolerance for explicitly violent rhetoric in public demonstrations. Read more →
Briefly Noted
Times of Israel: Alongside joy, for terror victims and their families, deal evokes fear and betrayal — families of victims welcome hostage releases while warning that freeing convicted terrorists risks future attacks; the article revisits the Shalit swap and Sinwar’s 2011 release. Read more →
JNS: Israel’s Foreign Ministry released a handwritten memo by slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar proving the Oct. 7 massacre was premeditated and choreographed, ordering terrorists to film the atrocities to terrorize Israelis and incite global jihad. Read more →
Globes: INSS’s Gallia Lindenstrauss says post-war Turkey may restore trade and flights with Israel while still sheltering Hamas operatives and pushing to keep Hamas in Gaza’s political setup—posing long-term risks even as Ankara eyes a role in reconstruction. Read more →
Jewish Chronicle: U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee mocked Labour claims that the UK “played a key role” in brokering the Gaza ceasefire, saying credit belongs entirely to Trump’s team as Prime Minister Keir Starmer heads to Egypt for the peace summit. Read more →
Jerusalem Post: Over 300 “pro-Palestinian” activists were arrested after blocking train lines at the Port of Rotterdam, disrupting freight movement and endangering hazardous cargo, as organizers vowed to spread the campaign across European ports. Read more →
Israel National News: Israelis expressed outrage after footage surfaced of a new restaurant in Gaza named “Nova,” desecrating the memory of the 378 murdered civilians at the music festival on October 7, while celebrating Hamas. Read more →
Times of Israel: The ANU Museum’s traveling “October 7” art exhibit opened in Armenia, extending Israel’s cultural diplomacy through works created in response to the Hamas attacks. Read more →
Times of Israel: A Dutch retiree uncovered a Nazi-looted painting hanging in an Argentine home after tracing his late father’s wartime diaries—leading to the arrest of a Nazi official’s daughter and reviving efforts to recover stolen Jewish art. Read more →
Developments to Watch
U.S.–IDF command huddle – IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured Gaza with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, then ran a joint panel on multi-front security to keep the ceasefire process tight while preserving Israeli operational control.
Gaza lines held ready – Southern Command keeps the 99th Division and 401st Brigade forward in northern Gaza to crush any immediate threats to border communities in the western Negev while the ceasefire architecture takes hold.
Hostage convoy swarm threat – The IDF warned Hamas it will disperse large “Palestinian” mobs with airpower and, if needed, ground forces if crowds threaten Red Cross transfers of freed hostages. LIKELY TO ESCALATE
Iran invited to Sinai summit – Cairo invited Iran’s president to Monday’s peace event in Sharm el-Sheikh, signaling a reshaped diplomatic stage even as Hamas reportedly skips the ceremony.
Hezbollah weighs response – An Arab source says Hezbollah is debating retaliation after Israel destroyed hundreds of heavy engineering vehicles; with Beirut failing to advance disarmament, Jerusalem’s message is blunt: no disarmament, no reconstruction. LIKELY TO ESCALATE
Egypt border smuggling foiled – IDF troops stopped a ramming attempt during a smuggling interdiction inside Israeli territory near the Egyptian frontier, killing one suspect and arresting another.
Hamas imposes gag order – Hamas “Resistance Security” threatened Gazans with harsh punishment for publishing Shadow Unit routes or exchange details, a coercive move to shield hostage transfers from exposure.
Violent prisoner dropped – A prisoner slated for release attacked a female guard at Ketziot; after Police Commissioner Yaakobi and Minister Ben-Gvir intervened, he was pulled from the list.
Eli Cohen remains rumor – A Saudi outlet claims the long-sought remains of Mossad legend Eli Cohen may soon be returned from Syria, a potential closure to a defining chapter of Israeli memory.
National AI staff launched – Brig. Gen. (res.) Erez Eskal will head a new Prime Minister’s Office AI team to drive strategy, regulation, and R&D and to bolster Israel’s global standing.
Qatari negotiators killed – Four members of Qatar’s hostage-talks team died in a car crash in Sharm el-Sheikh, with two more in intensive care, a sudden blow to a key mediation channel.
FBI foils Florida plot – U.S. agents arrested two immigrants who allegedly planned attacks on Jewish institutions, a sober reminder that Israel’s war fuels threats far beyond the region.
Here is the bottom line. Israel brought its people home. That is sacred work. Israel also released terrorists—who, to be clear, will go back to their evil plottings. That is a cost a serious nation counts and then prepares for. Hamas calls the lull a victory and vows future slaughter. Iran tests the edges. European capitals host marches that chant for our erasure. The job now is vigilance without hysteria, courage without bravado, unity without silence.
Watch three things as we step into Yom Tov: whether Gaza’s anti-Hamas militias consolidate ground, whether Cairo’s UN track tries to insert foreign troops that would shackle Israeli freedom of action, and whether the information war abroad hardens or breaks.
I’ll be back after Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Until then, stay steady, stay proud, and stay loud where it counts. Speak clearly. Support the families. Refuse the lie that Jewish burial is a footnote. Remember the names. Celebrate the living. We do this together.
— Uri Zehavi, Editor of Israel Brief
P.S. If this brief speaks to you, you’ll get the full argument in my new book, Holiday From History: The West’s Delusion of Peace and the Return of War. It names what too many dodge: why the “end of history” myth collapsed, how the West forgot vigilance, and why Israel is the frontline test of whether free nations still believe in themselves. It’s clear, unsentimental, and rooted in Jewish memory and classical liberal values. Available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle. Read a chapter, argue with me in the margins (or email me), then hand it to someone who thinks slogans are analysis.
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