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Hostages Return, Trump Addresses Knesset in Jerusalem · Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

• 0:08
  Speaker 1: You're listening to Israel Today ongoing war report. I'm Noah Levi.
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  Speaker 1: Lebanese forces seized approximately 500 kilograms of explosives linked to
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  Speaker 1: Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley late last week. Initial reports
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  Speaker 1: suggest the discovery might have been accidental, occurring when the
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  Speaker 1: vehicle transporting the materials was involved in an accident. However,
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  Speaker 1: some officials and media have questioned this, noting the checkpoint
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  Speaker 1: is a permanent security post. There is speculation the shipment
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  Speaker 1: could have been intended for political assassinations or as a
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  Speaker 1: psychological message. With one lawmaker claiming the same type of explosives,
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  Speaker 1: were used in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime
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  Speaker 1: Minister Rafik Hariri. The Lebanese government has pledged full investigations
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  Speaker 1: into the incident. Separately, reports indicate Hezbollah has used an
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  Speaker 1: extended ceasefire period to enhance its military capabilities in southern Lebanon.
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  Speaker 1: This includes upgrading its FPV drones to carry heavier payloads
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  Speaker 1: and extend their operational range. In Yemen, the Iran-backed Houthi
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  Speaker 1: terrorist organisation has declared Saudi Aramco oil facilities legitimate targets,
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  Speaker 1: urging civilians and workers to evacuate. This declaration follows recent
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  Speaker 1: deadly Houthi attacks on Riyadh's international airport. The Houthis also
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  Speaker 1: issued a warning for a swift and painful response against
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  Speaker 1: the United States, and its regional interests if Washington joins
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  Speaker 1: Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen. Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly
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  Speaker 1: reinforcing its nuclear sites and preparing its population for a
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  Speaker 1: return to fighting. The country has issued warnings that it
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  Speaker 1: could target American warships and Saudi oil facilities as a
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  Speaker 1: means to deter renewed US strikes. October 13, 2025, marked
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  Speaker 1: a significant anniversary. The final 20 living hostages were returned
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  Speaker 1: from Gaza after more than two years in captivity. Many
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  Speaker 1: of the released individuals were suffering from severe medical conditions,
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  Speaker 1: including malnutrition and injuries, sustained during their ordeal. On the
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  Speaker 1: same day, US President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset
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  Speaker 1: in Jerusalem. His speech followed an announcement of a Gaza
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  Speaker 1: ceasefire and his own 20-point peace plan. President Trump stated,
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  Speaker 1: The hostages are back, it feels so good to say it.
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  Speaker 1: and added that Israel was entering a golden age. Also
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  Speaker 1: on that date, an 18-year-old resident of Umm el-Farm was
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  Speaker 1: indicted for allegedly planning a terrorist attack against IDF soldiers
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  Speaker 1: in Jerusalem's Old City and pledging allegiance to ISIS. The
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  Speaker 1: indictment followed a joint investigation by Israel police and the
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  Speaker 1: Shin Bet. In Israeli domestic politics, far-right minister Beit Salel
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  Speaker 1: Smotrich has reportedly contradicted IDF assessments regarding military burdens. Smotrich
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  Speaker 1: claims that approximately 50,000 reservists are willing to return to fight,
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  Speaker 1: pushing back against concerns that Haredi exemptions might be a
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  Speaker 1: significant issue. This highlights a notable political clash over military contributions.
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  Speaker 1: Also noteworthy are discussions within the ultra-Orthodox community, with a
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  Speaker 1: female professor running for the Knesset offering a critical view
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  Speaker 1: of the community's challenges and proposing reforms. For continuing coverage
• 3:19
  Speaker 1: of antisemitism around the world, Listen to Antisemitism, watch from
• 3:23
  Speaker 1: Clockwork Media. Find it at clockworkmedia.org slash watch. I'm Noah Levi,
• 3:28
  Speaker 1: thank you for listening to Israel Today ongoing war report.
• 3:31
  Speaker 1: Stay safe and informed. Follow Israel Today, ongoing war report
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• 3:38
  Speaker 1: Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies,
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  Speaker 1: so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view.