Over the past hour, between 9:31 PM and 10:31 PM UTC on October 19th, 2025, Israeli forces captured 122 individuals attempting to infiltrate from the Hebron region towards the interior of the country in the Lakish area, and shooting was reported from Israeli vehicles east of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. The captures were made by the Southern Police Force alongside security personnel of the Lachish Council, according to a report from the Lachish Council head, Boaz Shlomo. Palestinian sources reported the shooting incident east of Khan Yunis. Khodr Mahjaz, a former senior Hamas official, stated from Gaza that Hamas is "done as a political and military force in the Gaza, and it will cease to exist." Mahjaz accused Sinwar of dragging Gaza "down his deranged path" and asserted that "Nobody wants Hamas." Meanwhile, a Haaretz report highlighted the return of freed hostage Nimrod Cohen, who spent a year and a half in a cage. In another development, a message circulating on social media 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." The message stated al-Wahidi followed in the path of his father and two martyred brothers, and was martyred "in all his battles." 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. 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.
