4 IDF soldiers killed in Gaza fighting | Hezbollah rockets kill Israeli Arab, wound a dozen others

19:15 - 260 terror suspects arrested in Judea and Samaria this month

IDF, Shin Bet and police forces arrested some 260 terror suspects and confiscated around 50 weapons in counter-terror raids in Judea and Samaria this month, the IDF stated.

In joint operations, they also destroyed dozens of explosive charges, confiscated hundreds of thousands of shekels in terror funds and dozens of illegal vehicles.

כוחות צה״ל, שב״כ ומג״ב ממשיכים לפעול יומם ולילה לסיכול טרור ושמירה על תושבי הגזרה בפיקוד המרכז. במהלך החודש האחרון הכוחות עצרו כ-260 מבוקשים ברחבי יהודה ושומרון ובחטיבת הבקעה והעמקים והשמידו עשרות מטענים. בנוסף, הכוחות החרימו כ-50 נשקים>> pic.twitter.com/wLU5ljAymg

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 29, 2024

17:01 - Israeli soldier succumbs to wounds sustained in Lebanon fighting

IDF reservist Yedidia Bloch (32) succumbed to serious wounds he sustained in battle in southern Lebanon on Oct. 24, the Binyamin Regional Council announced today.

He is survived by his wife Sapir who is eight months pregnant, as well as his parents and seven siblings.

"All these days we prayed for dear Yedidia,"wrote the head of the regional council, Israel Gantz.

"He went into battle with devotion and lived a noble life and thus fought and died for the people of Israel and for its complete victory. We embrace his wife Sapir at this time, as well as his parents and siblings and ask to strengthen the community of Mevo Horon. Thanks to him the people of Israel will overcome and win."

16:42 - IDF says it investigates Palestinian claims of almost 100 killed in Gaza airstrike

The IDF is aware and investigating claims by Palestinians that almost 100 people were killed by an overnight strike in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, the military said.

“The IDF calls on the media to be careful with information published by Hamas, as has been proven in several previous events,” the IDF noted.

Gaza's Hamas-controlled Civil Defense agency claimed that a strike killed 93 people in a residential building in Beit Lahiya.

The IDF added it “acts in a targeted manner and makes efforts to avoid harming uninvolved [civilians.]”

13:44 - Four IDF soldiers killed in battle in northern Gaza

The IDF announced that four soldiers of the 888th Multidimensional Unit were killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.

They were named as Cpt. Yehonatan Joni Keren (22) from Moledet, Staff Sgt. Nisim Meytal (20) from Hadera, Staff Sgt. Aviv Gilboa (21) from Neve Tzuf, and Staff Sgt. Naor Haimov (22) from Rosh HaAyin.

Another officer was seriously wounded in the incident. The IDF hasn't yet released more information about how the soldiers died.

12:22 - Muhammad Naim identified as Israeli who died in Hezbollah attack in Ma'alot Tarshiha earlier

Muhammad Yasser Naim, a 22-year-old resident of Ma'alot is the victim of the Hezbollah rocket attack on the town earlier today, according to media reports.

In addition to Naim, 13 other people were lightly wounded by rocket impacts, among them three children.

Naim is the 32nd Israeli civilian to be killed by Hezbollah fire since the start of the war.

11:41 - Israeli Arab man arrested for swearing allegiance to ISIS, planning terror attacks

A resident of the northern Israeli town Umm al-Fahm was arrested for swearing allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group and planning to carry out terror attacks, the police and Shin Bet announced.

Abd al-Rahman Muhammad Ibrahim Mahajana (19) was arrested about three weeks ago. During the investigation, the police found explosives, along with documents noting explosives in his possession, as well as a will he had prepared about a year ago, in which he wrote he wanted to die as a martyr.

The investigation also revealed that he had sworn allegiance to ISIS, and had taken part in the Guardian of the Wall riots in May 2021.

11:07 - One killed, several people wounded in Hezbollah rocket barrage on Ma'alot Tarshiha

One person was killed and several more wounded in rocket explosions near Ma'alot Tarshiha, Magen David Adom rescue services said.

Around half an hour earlier, Hezbollah had launched a barrage of around 50 rockets at the area, triggering alarm sirens in Peki'in, Arab al-Aramsheh, Kfar Vradim, Yarka, and several other communities in the northern Galilee.

Residents reported several interceptions above the area but also said there were several impacts.

The terror group claimed responsibility for the attack shortly afterward.

🔴 Rocket Alert [10:38:00] - 90 Alerts 🔴:

• Confrontation Line — Peki'in HaHadasha (×3), Peki'in (×2), Zarit, Ein Yacov (×2), Eilon, Hila (×4), Goren (×2), Arab al-Aramshe, Maona (×8), Gornot HaGalil (×3), Kfar Vradim (×4), Abirim (×5), Goren Farm Guesthouse (×2), Shomera,… pic.twitter.com/xBojLraSap

— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) October 29, 2024

10:29 - Hezbollah announces new leader: Naim Qassem, long-time deputy to Hassan Nasrallah

The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah announced that Naim Qassem, the long-time deputy of former leader Hassan Nasrallah, will take over the leadership of the group.

"The Hezbollah Council agreed to elect His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem as Secretary-General of Hezbollah, as the bearer of the blessed banner in this march, asking the Almighty God for his favor in this noble task of leading Hezbollah and its Islamic resistance," the group said in a statement.

Despite being Nasrallah's deputy, Qassem was viewed as lacking in charisma and was not the designated successor to Nasrallah. Instead, Nasrallah's cousin Hashem Safi al-Din was slated to take over the group, but he was killed in an Israeli airstrike about a week after Nasrallah.

08:50 - Drone launched from Yemen crashes near Ashkelon, another drone shot down over Galilee

A drone launched by Houthi terrorists in Yemen exploded in an open area near the coastal city of Ashkelon this morning, the IDF stated.

The impact did not cause any casualties but started a small fire.

In addition, another drone was shot down over the Upper Galilee region earlier this morning.

An explosive-laden drone impacted an open area in Ashkelon a short while ago, the IDF says and footage shows.

The military does not yet detail where the drone was launched from.

There are no reports of injuries. https://t.co/6M4WkjBBOa pic.twitter.com/hKttXN7mgQ

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 29, 2024

07:09 - Drone siren triggered in northern city of Nahariya

Alarm sirens were activated in the coastal city of Nahariya, near the Lebanese border, after a hostile drone infiltrated Israel.

Footage on social media showed the drone crashing into a bridge near the local train station.

There were no reports of casualties or significant damage.

New footage shows the Hezbollah drone impact in Nahariya this morning.

The dashcam video shows the drone striking the cables of a pedestrian bridge at Nahariya's train station.

No injuries were caused in the attack, but shrapnel rained down on the area, causing slight damage… pic.twitter.com/IDqrMPihE9

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 29, 2024

06:30 - Report: Sources in Hamas claim 'openness to examining the Egyptian proposal for a [hostage] deal'

04:01 - UN Sec-Gen Guterres on legislation against UNRWA: "Very concerned, there is no alternative'

UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized the new legislation passed in the Knesset against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

In a statement, he said, "I am very concerned by the adoption of two laws by the Israeli Knesset concerning UNRWA, which, if implemented, would likely prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, under the mandate of the UN General Assembly. UNRWA is the primary means by which essential aid is provided to Palestinian refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory. There is no alternative to UNRWA." (Ynet)

03:25 - CIA Chief proposes deal for release of 8 hostages in exchange for dozens of terrorists and 28-day truce in Gaza

CIA Director Bill Burns presented a new proposal for a short-term ceasefire in discussions with Israeli and Qatar representatives, Axios reported.

The deal would see a 28-day truce, during which Hamas would release around eight hostages while the Israeli government would release dozens of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli prisons.

03:23 - Pentagon: U.S. Defense Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli DM Gallant about 'opportunities to ease regional tensions'

The Pentagon reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant where they discussed potential avenues to reduce tensions in the region.

The discussion focused on diplomatic and security measures that could contribute to greater stability amidst the current situation. (KAN 11)

01:23 - Following Knesset approval: Global condemnation of law banning UNRWA operations in Israel

After the Knesset passed a law prohibiting the operation of UNRWA in Israel, various international entities strongly condemned it.

Reactions from the global community included concerns about the potential humanitarian and diplomatic impact, especially on Palestinian refugee services. (KAN 11)