Former senior Hamas official Khodr Mahjaz declared from Gaza between 10:01 PM and 11:01 PM UTC on October 19th, 2025, that Hamas is "done as a political and military force in the Gaza, and it will cease to exist," accusing Yahya Sinwar of "dragging Gaza down his deranged path." During this same period, Israeli forces detained 122 individuals attempting to infiltrate from the Hebron region towards the interior of the country in the Lakish area, as reported by the Lachish Council head, Boaz Shlomo. Palestinian sources reported shooting incidents east of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip during the reporting window. Concurrently, a social media message announced the martyrdom of Taj al-Din al-Wahidi, described as a "master of the fighters of the West Jabalia Camp Battalion" and a "hero of the Dawn of the Flood attack," who followed the path of his father and two martyred brothers. In a separate development, a derby match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel was called off due to safety concerns, as police did not deem it safe. Amidst these events, special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had departed Miami earlier on October 19th, 2025, en route to Israel to address ongoing tensions and encourage advancement to "phase two" of the Gaza peace plan. Mahjaz's statement, circulating on social media, asserted that "Nobody wants Hamas." This follows previous reports of heightened tensions in Gaza, including an incident in Rafah that led to the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and subsequent Israeli airstrikes and closure of Gaza crossings, which were later reopened. The IDF had previously announced reinforcing the Gaza ceasefire following alleged violations by Hamas. A Haaretz report highlighted the return of freed hostage Nimrod Cohen, who spent a year and a half in captivity. The article noted that Cohen returned "smiling" despite his ordeal, with his captors showing him "no mercy."
