Red Cross teams check on Hamas’s search for captives’ bodies in Khan Younis


_{Red Cross workers check the site where members of Hamas work on searching for bodies of Israeli captives in an area in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip}

One more Israeli captive’s body to be handed over: Hamas

The armed wing of Hamas, Qassam Brigades has recovered an Israeli captive’s body in Gaza, the Palestinian group says.

Qassam Brigades will hand it over today at 11pm local time (20:00 GMT), the statement published on Telegram said, without elaborating on where the body was retrieved.

Israel confirms receiving coffin of dead captive

The Israeli military says the coffin of one more dead captive has crossed the border between Gaza and Israel “a short while ago”.

The body is on its way to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine, where identification procedures will be carried out, the statement published by the army on Telegram said.

Palestinians struggle to identify bodies of relatives returned to Gaza

_{Authorities in Gaza say many of the bodies bear signs of torture, making them difficult to identify}

_{Ghada Musbeh, left, looks at a computer screen while attempting to identify her missing husband among the bodies returned to Gaza, in Khan Younis on October 16}


More than 280 Palestinian bodies recovered from rubble: Gaza’s civil defence

Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the rescue agency, says about 10,000 Palestinians are believed to be buried under the destruction of Israel’s two-year bombardment.

“Civil Defence teams are working around the clock in extremely difficult conditions, but they are in dire need of advanced and heavy equipment to accomplish their tasks,” Basal said in a statement shared on Telegram.

He said the agency receives dozens of appeals each day from Palestinian families asking for the bodies of their loved-ones to be recovered from the rubble.

“We have submitted to all international organisations lists of our urgent needs and the technical requirements necessary for the recovery operations,” he added.

UNRWA calls for shelter supplies to be allowed into Gaza

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says it has enough shelter supplies for 1.3 million people in Gaza, but they are being blocked from entering the enclave.

“UNRWA has what’s needed – sitting just a few hours’ drive away – and has the teams and infrastructure to distribute it,” the agency said on X.

As we’ve been reporting, many of the tens of thousands of Palestinians who returned to northern Gaza when the ceasefire took hold have found their homes and neighbourhoods completely destroyed by the Israeli bombardment.

The UN’s humanitarian chief said last week that the global body hopes to bring thousands of tents into Gaza to help displaced families and those who do not have adequate shelter. Tom Fletcher said it was particularly important to scale up the response before the upcoming rainy season.

The UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing last week also called for Israel to allow the urgent entry of tents and mobile homes to help Palestinians across the territory.

“Even immediate relief and aid to the people of Gaza is not possible unless Israel stops controlling all the entry points. That is essential,” Balakrishnan Rajagopal told Al Jazeera.

I guess those 87K shelter tents Qatar sent aren't getting in either.

Civil Defence condemns Israeli attack on civilian car east of Gaza City as ‘massacre’

Palestinian Civil Defence spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, says a “new massacre” has been committed by Israel in the Zeitoun neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.

In a statement, Basal said Israeli forces had targeted a car carrying 11 members of the Shaaban family, including seven children and two women, after they advanced east of the city and crossed the yellow line where Israeli forces are stationed.

“They could have been warned or dealt with in a way that would not have led to death, but what happened confirms that the occupation remains bloodthirsty and determined to commit crimes against innocent civilians,” Basal said.

It is not clear whether all of the passengers were killed.

‘UN died in Gaza’ as it failed to stop children dying of starvation: UN expert

Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, says “the UN died in Gaza” when two Palestinian children – two-month-old Mahmoud Fattouh and Yazan al-Kafarneh, 10 – died of starvation in February and March last year.

Speaking during a UN General Assembly committee hearing in New York City, Fakhri said, “These were the first children to have reportedly been killed by malnutrition, dehydration and hunger during Israel’s recent starvation campaign in Gaza,”

“When a parent is helplessly holding their starving child in their arms, looking into their child’s eyes, who is dying from hunger, it indicates an entire society is under attack, and that famine is taking hold. Every time any child dies from hunger, dehydration and malnutrition, the world slips more into the abyss,” the UN expert said.

“You have listened to Israel announce its genocidal intentions, and witnessed Israel’s genocidal actions against the Palestinian people in Gaza. You have witnessed Israel conduct the fastest starvation campaign in modern history. Even with this current ceasefire, Israel’s starvation campaign continues. Israel’s genocide, occupation and Nakba in Palestine has not ended,” Fakhri added.

He called on the General Assembly to pass a resolution recommending UN peacekeepers accompany humanitarian convoys into Gaza. “If peacekeepers are not used to stop starvation and genocide, then what else are we doing here?”

_{Palestinians walk among destroyed buildings in Gaza City, October 16, 2025}

The UN died in Gaza, along with international law, IHL, ICJ, Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute (ICC) and humanity in general. Everything our grandfathers and grandmothers fought for in WW2 has been undone by the Neo-Zionist movement.

Or rather the facade of Western morality has been lifted. Gaza has shown to the world what a large part of the world already knew. All those institutions were all just there to maintain Western supremacy over the rest of the world.

Is there enough international political will to probe war crimes in Gaza?

Two years of Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 children. For now, the bombing campaign has largely halted. But the Israeli military’s actions in the past 24 months were livestreamed, documented, and archived in unprecedented detail.

In September, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry found that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. And this week, South Africa stated the ceasefire will not affect its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

But the ICJ lacks the resources to carry out arrests unless UN member countries decide to act.

So, will Israel be held accountable, or will impunity become the new norm?

More than 1,000 Palestinians killed in West Bank since Gaza war began: UN

The UN’s human rights office is reporting that at least 1,001 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers in the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023.

Approximately one in five of those killed – 213 in total – have been children, the UN found.

“Today marks another tragic milestone,” the human rights office said on X.

As we’ve been reporting, the Israeli military has unleashed a wave of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank in the shadow of the war on Gaza. Yesterday, a Palestinian boy was shot dead by Israeli forces near Hebron.

Israeli forces tear gas Palestinians in West Bank’s al-Khader town

Israeli forces have stormed and fired tear gas bombs at Palestinians in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, according to the Wafa news agency.

Israeli forces also took up positions in the areas of al-Bawaba, al-Nashash, al-Yamama, al-Balou, Jerusalem-Hebron Street, and al-Balboul neighbourhood.

Netanyahu’s office claims Nobel Peace Prize winner expressed support for Israel’s actions in Gaza

The Israeli prime minister’s office says Venezuelan opposition activist Maria Corina Machado – who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week – told Netanyahu today “that she greatly appreciates his decisions and resolute actions in the course of the war, and Israel’s achievements”.

“She also praised the agreement for the release of the hostages in Gaza,” Netanyahu’s office said in a readout of the call between the pair.

“Ms. Machado added that she appreciates the relentless struggle against the Iranian axis of evil, which is active not only against Israel, but also against the people of Venezuela,” it added.

The Nobel committee has been criticised for awarding this year’s Peace Prize to Machado, with critics noting her support for Netanyahu’s Likud Party and a decision to address a far-right “Patriots for Europe” conference earlier this year.

“The Nobel Peace Prize should go to individuals who have shown moral consistency by bravely advocating justice for all people, not to politicians who demand democracy in their own nation while supporting racism, bigotry and fascism abroad,” the US-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement last week.

UK bending over backwards for Maccabi Tel Aviv's racist hooligans, wtf

UK government working with police for possible resources for Maccabi Tel Aviv match

The British government says it is working with police and examining possible additional resources so fans of the Israeli football team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, can attend a match in Birmingham next month.

“The Government is working with policing and other partners to do everything in our power to ensure this game can safely go ahead, with all fans present,” a spokesperson for the government said in a statement.

“We are exploring what additional resources and support are required so all fans can attend.”

English football team Aston Villa said travelling Maccabi fans would be barred from attending the match on November 6 after West Midlands Police said it was concerned about public safety from potential protesters.

The UK is such an embarrassment now, I feel sorry for my friends living there. With Germany I sort of get it, the shame of the holocaust weighs heavy. (But never again doesn't mean support someone else doing it again) However the UK is simply doubling down on the disasters they caused in the ME. 

EU must suspend Israel trade agreement: Amnesty chief

Agnes Callamard, the head of Amnesty International, has stressed that pressure on Israel is still necessary because the ceasefire in Gaza “doesn’t mean the end of genocide, unlawful occupation or apartheid”.

In a lengthy social media post ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers next week, Callamard called on the bloc to suspend its participation in a trade deal with Israel, known formally as the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

She said a vote on whether to suspend trade benefits as prescribed under the agreement was due to be held at the meeting in Luxembourg on October 20, but “since the ceasefire, this point was dropped from the agenda”.

“The EU [and] its member states’ must keep pressure on Israel. Revoking these proposals would betray victims of genocide and apartheid. It would reward Israel’s unlawful occupation, [and] embolden perpetrators of international crimes,” Callamard said.

“The EU-Israel Agreement must be suspended.”

Main events on October 17th

• The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, recovered the remains of a captive’s body in Gaza and handed it over to Israel via the Red Cross.
• Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, said about 10,000 Palestinians are believed to be buried under the rubble after Israel’s intense war on the enclave.
• Basal announced Israel targeted a car which had 11 people from the same family inside in the Zeitoun neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.
• The Israeli military said it identified “several terrorists” exiting a tunnel shaft in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis area who were approaching soldiers.
• The military also said its forces targeted southern Lebanon’s Kherbet Selem area and killed “a terrorist who took part in Hezbollah’s attempts to reestablish its military capabilities”.
• The UN’s human rights office reported that Israeli troops and settlers have killed at least 1,001 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 7, 2023.
• Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said his government was “working diligently to ensure that the agreement reached between Hamas and Israel is permanent and paves the way for lasting peace”.
• US President Donald Trump said he expects an expansion of the Abraham Accords soon and hopes Saudi Arabia will join the pact that normalises relations with Israel.

‘You Will Not Silence Me’: Watch Mehdi’s Defiant Speech on Gaza

This week at the National Press Club in Washington, DC — our editor-in-chief Mehdi Hasan accepted the Arab Center’s Award for Commitment to Media Excellence and Journalistic Integrity.

In his speech, Mehdi addressed the genocide in Gaza, including America’s complicity, and debunked Trump’s Gaza peace plan. He also shared what keeps him hopeful, while dedicating the award to the Palestinian journalists murdered by Israel for reporting the truth.

Aaron Mate & Mnar Adley: How Israel Took Over U.S. Politics and Media

Award-winning investigative journalist Aaron Mate (The Grayzone, Useful Idiots) delivers a searing indictment of the U.S. political-media complex—and how it has been captured by pro-Israel interests.

Responding to Mnar Adley’s question about Kamala Harris boasting that she and Biden “brought peace to Gaza,” Aaron lays bare the truth: How both Democrats and Republicans prioritize Israel over democracy itself, even at the cost of losing elections. Why Kamala Harris refused to break from Biden on Gaza, despite polls showing massive Democratic base revolt.

How pro-Israel billionaires now own the media: Larry Ellison (TikTok), Jeff Bezos (WaPo), Elon Musk (X), and the Adelsons (who openly directed Trump’s Middle East policy) The absurd appointment of Barry Weiss—a pro-Israel activist with zero journalism experience—as head of CBS News.

How the “Russia hoax” distracted from real foreign influence: Trump’s own admission that he served Israeli oligarchs like Sheldon Adelson. And why trust in U.S. media has collapsed—not because of “fake news,” but because the press is the propaganda arm of empire. This is not conspiracy. It’s all on the record. And Aaron Mate connects the dots with clarity, precision, and moral urgency.

Brave act by BBC presenter as he challenges guest on Maccabi Tel Aviv controversy

In a remarkable development, three ministries from the UK government have devoted their last 24 hours not to force the police in Birmingham to reverse their decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. This was after PM Keir Starmer expressed his anger on the news of banning fans from Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Rick Edwards led by example as he showcased the true spirit of journalism by challenging his guest who unsuccessfully tried to give a dangerous spin to what is an operational decision by the West Midlands police. Rifat Jawaid has scathing observations for British politicians namely Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.

Starmer Attacks Ban On Israeli Football Hooligans

Keir Starmer has leapt to the defence of Israeli football hooligans, condemning a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending an upcoming Europa League game against Aston Villa.

It’s Bisan, And Israel Is Blowing Up Its Own Tanks To Destroy Gaza

“They removed everything from existence. There is only dust and no rubble.” After months of relentless bombing, a fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza.

Video journalist Bisan Owda returns to Gaza’s north for the first time in months, documenting the destruction and meeting families making their return, hoping to rebuild their homes from dust and rubble. What she captures isn’t just destruction — it’s the pain of returning and the strength of people trying to start over again.

Israel kills 11 Palestinian family members in Gaza’s deadliest truce breach

Israeli forces have killed 11 members of a Palestinian family in Gaza, the deadliest single violation of the fragile ceasefire since it took effect eight days ago.

The attack happened on Friday evening when a tank shell was fired by Israeli forces at a civilian vehicle carrying the Abu Shaaban family in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to Gaza’s civil defence.

Seven children and three women were among those killed when the Israeli military fired on the vehicle as the family attempted to reach their home to inspect it, Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said in a statement.

“They could have been warned or dealt with differently,” Basal said, adding that “what happened confirms that the occupation is still thirsty for blood, and insists on committing crimes against innocent civilians.”

Most Palestinians do not know where the “yellow line” is because they do not have access to the internet, they do not have phones, and this is why this happened to this family.

The 11-member Abu Shaban family was going back to their house after being displaced multiple times, and as they were going to settle in their house, they were killed. Among those who have been killed from the family are 10-year-old, six-year-old, five-year-old, and eight-year-old Palestinian children.

Israeli forces have been very strict about the yellow line, and they have attacked several Palestinians since the beginning of the ceasefire. At least 28 Palestinians have been killed, and all of these have been Palestinians who reached or went through the yellow line.

Now there was another attack on another Palestinian in Khan Younis. He was on a motorcycle when the Israeli drones targeted him.

Nine bodies recovered from Gaza City

Gaza’s Civil Defence has reported recovering the bodies of nine people following an Israeli bombardment targeting displaced people in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City yesterday.

The bodies of the other two people killed in the attack, which killed 11 in total, were recovered yesterday, as we reported.

Israel has killed 28 people since the ceasefire went into effect, many of them for allegedly crossing the so-called “yellow line”, demarcating areas of Israeli army control.

‘No real oversight of how Israeli forces conduct themselves in Gaza’

The killing of the 11-member family in Gaza indicates just how precarious the ceasefire is, says Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu).

“It highlights that Israel is still prepared to use all force necessary if it so chooses. It also shows this issue of the yellow line … it’s a kill line. It’s one [that if a] Palestinian crosses, you’re going to be executed,” Doyle said.

“If you believe the Israeli version of this, that this was an attack mounted via an attack tunnel, then quite surely, the Israeli authorities will have some evidence of this, that there will be footage of it, that there will be some way of trying to demonstrate that they have acted appropriately. I rather fear that that’s not going to be the case,” he added.

Meanwhile, there is no real oversight of how Israeli forces conduct themselves in Gaza, he said.

“So if a tank does open fire, there’s no real sign or evidence that the commander, the local commander who does that, is ever held to account, or that there is a proper investigation. So these incidents will continue.”

No markings of ‘yellow line’ actually on ground

What’s concerning right now is that whatever the Israeli military is referring to as a withdrawal line, an agreed-upon line, does not exist on the ground. There are no marks, no signs to show.

Displaced families are trying to get to their homes, inspect them, salvage whatever is left under piles of rubble, and get back to their displacement site.

The only sign that is available, aggressively, is the fire coming from the heavy machineguns from the stationed tanks and the armoured vehicles right behind the imaginary yellow line created by the Israeli military. So as soon as people get closer to that line or try to move a little bit inside to their neighbourhood, they’re being shot at either by the machineguns or the heavy artillery or drones that hover at a dangerously low level in that area.

This constantly feeds into a permanent sense of displacement among Palestinians.

Meanwhile, in Gaza City, in one of the reports that we did on the ground, we literally had to check once, twice and three times to make sure that we are in the right place, because it’s unrecognisable, including three of the mid-size hospitals that served hundreds of thousands of families in the central part of Gaza City.