Gaza News Highlights, 28 September 2025: IDF troops enter Gaza's Al-Shati camp amid risk of accidentally harming hostages

Israeli military forces have entered Gaza's Al-Shati refugee camp for the third time since the current conflict started, according to a report in Haaretz. The operation in the densely populated urban area of Gaza City is complicated by the significant risk to Israeli hostages who may be held in the vicinity. Troops are reportedly operating with the awareness that hostages could emerge from buildings or tunnels during combat and be accidentally hit in the crossfire.

Israel's military chief has reportedly warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior leaders that the current military operation in Gaza City lacks a clear political endgame, as per a report in The Times of Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that a secret memo was delivered to the political leadership, which included the warning from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi to Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Israel Katz. The communication underscores concerns within the military about the absence of a long-term strategy for the governance of Gaza after the conclusion of major combat operations, fueling public frustration, particularly among the families of soldiers.

US Vice President JD Vance has stated that President Donald Trump's position is for Gaza and the West Bank to be controlled by the people who live there, as per a report in Israel National News. Vance also expressed optimism that a deal could be reached to bring an end to the ongoing war.

Israeli authorities have formally charged activists campaigning for a hostage release deal with arson over an alleged plan to create a 'ring of fire' around the Prime Minister's residence, as per a report in Haaretz. The charges represent a significant legal escalation in response to ongoing anti-government protests, which are largely fueled by public frustration over the handling of the war in Gaza and the protracted crisis involving hostages held by Hamas.

During a live broadcast from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, a Palestinian father was seen frantically searching for his child, Al Jazeera says in a report. The incident occurred while reporter Ibrahim al-Khalili was on air from the medical facility, capturing the moment the man rushed through the hospital amidst ongoing events in the region.

The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has reached 66,005, with 168,162 wounded, Gaza's Health Ministry reported on Sunday, as per a report in AP. The ministry noted that 79 of the deceased were brought to hospitals within the past 24 hours. The report comes as Israel's military continues its offensive in the Gaza Strip, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington for a planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud condemned Israel's military operations in Gaza and what was described as an attack on Qatar, Al Jazeera said in a report. The statement from the Saudi official was delivered on the global diplomatic stage, articulating the kingdom's position on the ongoing conflict and related regional tensions.

Prisoners in the UK, jailed since last year while awaiting trial for alleged offenses connected to the protest group Palestine Action, say they have faced stricter conditions since the group was officially proscribed, according to a report in The Guardian. The individuals report being banned from wearing the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian identity, and being removed from certain prison jobs. These prisoners were charged before Palestine Action was banned and do not face specific charges under the Terrorism Act, although the Crown Prosecution Service has stated their cases have a "terrorism connection."

An Israeli cycling team was removed from the Giro dell'Emilia race in Italy due to threats of pro-Palestinian protests concerning the war in Gaza, according to a report in Haaretz. The decision by race organizers follows a similar recent incident where protests abruptly ended the team's participation in the finale of Spain's Vuelta race. The removal was reportedly prompted by security concerns over planned demonstrations against Israel's military actions in Gaza.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew is expected to make a rare visit to Cairo for high-level talks with Egyptian officials, as per a report in The New York Times. The discussions are reportedly set to focus on the ongoing war in Gaza and managing the significant tensions that have emerged between Israel and Egypt. A primary point of contention to be addressed is the situation at the Rafah border crossing, which has impacted humanitarian aid flow and raised security concerns for both nations.

Two Israeli soldiers sustained moderate injuries in separate operational accidents in the Gaza Strip, according to a report in Israel National News. The incidents were not a result of direct combat, and the soldiers' injuries are described as moderate, meaning they are not life-threatening but require medical treatment. The events occurred amid ongoing Israeli military ground operations throughout various parts of Gaza.

Arab leaders at the United Nations have strongly condemned the situation in Gaza, labeling it a "genocide" and renewing calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state, according to a report in The Times of Israel. Egypt's foreign minister warned that the Middle East is at a "point of implosion," while Saudi Arabia's representative criticized the international community for what was described as inaction over the past two years of war.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet security agency conducted a joint operation that killed a Hamas member whom they said was responsible for the death of Commander Arnon Zamora, as per a report in Israel National News. Zamora, an officer in the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, was killed on June 8, 2024, during an Israeli operation in Nuseirat that resulted in the rescue of four hostages. The recent strike targeted the Hamas operative as part of ongoing Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.