### Under-reported news from Israel, Palestine, the Middle East and North Africa: October 17, 2025 *These weekly roundups are, and will always be, free. No paywalls. If you find them useful, you can buy me a cup of coffee [here](https://paypal.me/ridaaburass?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US). Thanks!* [Subscribe](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct2B1Mm-SuaoJe5WkVn1HW1CSYkWnrXgLlOeg2JLLSEnqz2g/viewform?usp=header) to get these roundups (and just these roundups) by email. No spam. **TL;DR**: An unstable ceasefire takes effect in Gaza: Hamas was unable to locate and return the remaining hostages' bodies; Israel restricted aid from entering, and killed several Palestinians across the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers - backed by soldiers - escalated their disruption to the annual Palestinian olive harvest, stealing crops, cutting down trees, and attacking olive-pickers on a daily basis. Within Israel, gun violence claimed more victims among the '48 Palestinian community. Not much to report on within Israel's Jewish majority, except for living hostages' release from Gaza, which was well-covered by international media outlets. Iraq and Algeria expand their oil infrastructures. --- ##### Gaza: - 2025-10-13 - The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's deadly "aid-distribution" sites close; [UN-led aid deliveries resume](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ghf-aid-sites-shut-down-un-led-aid-deliveries-enter-gaza). - 2025-10-14 - [Israeli forces killed at least seven Palestinians across the Gaza Strip today](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-violates-ceasefire-terms-shelling-several-areas-gaza), in violation of the ceasefire agreement. - 2025-10-14 - Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey [sign Gaza ceasefire declaration](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2618762/middle-east) with Trump. Though leaders made strongly-worded commitments, the ceasefire's durability will ultimately depend on Trump's willingness to apply long-term pressure on Israel. - 2025-10-14 - First cracks are showing in the ceasefire deal already: [Israel is keeping the Rafah crossing closed](https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-10-14/ty-article/.premium/red-cross-returning-israeli-hostages-bodies-will-take-time-some-may-never-be-found/00000199-e285-d8a7-afdd-f7bd3d7f0000), limiting aid into Gaza, after Hamas failed to deliver the remaining hostages' bodies. - 2025-10-14 - Reports of [clashes between Hamas and loosely-organized militias](https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2025-10-14/ty-article/.premium/00000199-e1db-da09-a1bb-f3fb80820000) (which are likely Israel-backed) in Gaza. Videos circulate online of public executions of supposed collaborators with Israel in Gaza. #hebrew - 2025-10-15 - [More Palestinians were killed in Gaza today](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163407), including [two who were killed in an Israeli drone strike](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163400), in spite of the ceasefire agreement. - 2025-10-16 - [At least four people were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza](https://aje.io/8qjln5?update=4039577) over the past 24 hours, despite the ceasefire. An additional 22 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble today. Israel has killed at least 23 people since the the ceasefire started. - 2025-10-17 - Israeli forces targeted a car carrying displaced people, [killing several Palestinians](civilians in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City). - 2025-10-17 - France, Britain and the United States [are working to finalize a UN Security Council resolution](https://www.newarab.com/news/us-europe-draft-un-plan-gaza-force-after-trump-warning) in the coming days that would lay the foundation for a future international force in Gaza. ---- ##### West Bank, inc. East Jerusalem: - 2025-10-13 - Today, the day of the detainee-hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, [Israeli forces detained](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163295) 14 individuals in the West Bank town of Deir Istiya. - 2025-10-13 - [Israeli forces raided the home of a Palestinian prisoner](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163324) who was released as part of the exchange today, assaulting his brother, causing fractures and bruises to his nose and foot. - 2025-10-13 - Israeli settlers [continue to attack](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163317) Palestinian olive-harvesters. - 2025-10-14 - [Israeli settlers destroy dozens of olive trees overnight](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163351) near the Jordan Valley. October marks the start of the olive harvest in Palestine, a culturally significant occasion. - 2025-10-14 - [Israeli military forces raided a Palestinian school in Bethlehem](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163348), threatening teachers. - 2025-10-14 - [Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian vehicle](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163343) near Ramallah. - 2025-10-14 - Israeli forces [stormed several neighborhoods](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163342) in the cities of Ramallah and al-Bireh today, raiding homes. - 2025-10-15 - [Israeli soldiers and settlers attacked Palestinian farmers](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163393) while harvesting olive trees. - 2025-10-15 - Israeli forces [raided several neighborhoods](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163391) in the cities of Ramallah and al-Bireh, including the homes of recently-released prisoners. - 2025-10-15 - Israeli soldiers [beat a 57-year old Palestinian man to death](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/reports-palestinian-beaten-to-death-by-israeli-forces-near-ramallah-in-west-bank-idf-yet-to-comment/) in the town of al-Ram. - 2025-10-15 - [Israeli settlers assaulted and injured](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163406) a 41-year old Palestinian man near Hebron. - 2025-10-15 - [Israel expropriates 25 dunams](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163405) (approx. 6 acres) of privately-owned Palestinian land near the city of Qalqilya. - 2025-10-15 - [Israeli settlers destroyed several olive trees](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163401) near Bethlehem. - 2025-10-15 - Al-Jazeera [published an important report](https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/10/15/israeli-arson-bulldozers-and-forced-labour-in-the-west-banks-tulkarem) on the worsening conditions within the West Bank, including rampant settler violence, displacement, and military crackdowns. - 2025-10-16 - Israeli settlers and military forces [attacked Palestinian olive pickers](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163418) near Jenin. - 2025-10-16 - Israeli settlers [assaulted Palestinian olive pickers](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163415) in Bethlehem and Nablus. - 2025-10-16 - [Israeli forces shot and injured](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163414) a Palestinian man near Jerusalem. In recent months, Israeli forces have escalated their targeting of Palestinians near the separation wall in al-Ram, killing dozens. - 2025-10-16 - [Israeli forces detained a 14 year old boy](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163411) near Hebron. - 2025-10-17 - [Israeli forces Israeli forces raided](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163435) Nablus and Tulkarem, arrested four Palestinians. - 2025-10-17 - [Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive-pickers](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163448) in the the towns of Aqraba, south of Nablus, and Farkha, south of Salfit. - 2025-10-17 - [Israeli forces attack journalists and international activists](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163447) during olive harvest in Ramin, near Tulkarm. - 2025-10-17 - [Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and olive pickers](https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/163442) and forced them to leave their lands in the town of Silwad, east of Ramallah. ---- ##### '48 Palestinians: - 2025-10-12 - 16-year old Palestinian [was sentenced](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/10/12/%D8%A3%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AD%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A5%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D9%82-%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%89-16-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%A9-3-%D8%A3%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1) to three months [administrative detention](https://www.btselem.org/administrative_detention). #arabic - 2025-10-14 - [Two Palestinians were killed](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/10/09/%D8%A5%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88) in crime-related incidents within the '48 Palestinian community, bringing the total number of victims this year to 201. #arabic - Gun violence is allowed to run rampant among the '48 Palestinian community. [This is a systemic problem](https://abrahaminitiatives.org/victims-of-violence-and-crime-in-arab-society-in-2024/), the result of decades of neglect, lack of investment in Israel's Palestinian communities. Crimes are rarely solved; perpetrators are rarely brought to justice. - 2025-10-15 - [Two Palestinians were killed](https://www.arab48.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%A9/2025/10/15/3-%D8%A5%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%86-) in an organized crime-related incident near the city of Ramle, bringing the total number of Palestinian citizens who fell victim to gun violence this year to 204. #arabic - 2025-10-17 - [Two brothers were killed](https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9/2025/10/17/%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A5%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%86) in an organized crime-related incident in the north. This year is turning into one of the deadliest for Palestinians within Israel. #arabic --- ##### MENA + geopolitical: - 2025-10-13 - World leaders, including British PM, German chancellor, king of Jordan, and others, [gather in Egypt](https://globalnews.ca/news/11476030/world-leaders-gather-egypt-gaza-summit-for-peace/) for summit on future of Gaza governance. - 2025-10-13 - [Iraq begins work on a large, offshore oil pipeline](https://www.iraqinews.com/iraq/iraq-starts-constructing-giant-oil-pipeline/), which will increase its export capacities by approximately 2 million barrels per day. - 2025-10-13 - [Interesting analysis on New Lines Magazine](https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/stalled-reconciliation-leaves-hamas-alawites-in-limbo/) about stalled reconciliation efforts in Hama province, as displaced Alawite and Sunni communities try to rebuild their shared villages. #analysis - 2025-10-13 - Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas company Sonatrach [announced the signing of a production-sharing contract](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/sonatrach-signs-5-4-billion-oil-and-gas-deal-with-saudi-arabias-midad-energy/) worth nearly $5.4 billion with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy. Midad Energy will fully finance the project, allocating approximately $288 million for exploration activities. - 2025-10-13 - CrimethInc, an anarchist news outlet, [publishes an informative interview](https://he.crimethinc.com/2025/10/13/morocco-the-gen-z-212-uprising-an-interview) about the growing Gen Z 212 movement in Morocco. - 2025-10-15 - Turkish-Cypriot president [rejects the idea of forming a federation with Greek Cyprus](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-cypriot-president-rejects-federation-debate-days-before-election-214703), insisting on a two-state solution for the divided island, instead. North Cyprus is not recognized by the international community. - 2025-10-15 - Middle East Eye [publishes a valuable piece](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-and-emirati-rulers-sharm-el-sheikh-no-show-reveals-tensions-egypt-over-gaza) analyzing the absence of Saudi Arabia and the UAE from the Sharm el-Sheikh summit on Gaza. - 2025-10-15 - [A drone strike hit Khartoum](https://www.newarab.com/news/drone-attack-strikes-sudanese-capital-khartoum), breaking the relative calm in the Sudanese capital since the army regained control of it earlier this year. - 2025-10-15 - An Iraqi parliamentary candidate, a member of the Sunni-Muslim *Sovereignty Alliance*, [was killed near Baghdad](https://www.newarab.com/news/iraqi-parliamentary-candidate-killed-near-baghdad). Parliamentary elections are scheduled for November 11, this year. - 2025-10-16 - [Tunisians stage large demonstrations](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/tunisia-thousands-protest-gabes-against-chemical-plant-pollution) in the south, after a chemical plant poisoned dozens. The demonstrators were violently repressed by police forces. - 2025-10-17 - Israel continues to violate its ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, [carrying out an airstrike](https://aje.io/q8tde2?update=4041504) on Lebanese territory. - 2025-10-17 - Moroccan authorities [sentenced a local official to one year in prison](https://en.hespress.com/123418-court-sentences-local-official-to-one-year-in-prison-over-genz-protest-involvement.html) for participating in the country's Gen Z protests. --- Sign up [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct2B1Mm-SuaoJe5WkVn1HW1CSYkWnrXgLlOeg2JLLSEnqz2g/viewform?usp=header) to get an email notification when the weekly roundup is posted.