The Red Cross is en route to a meeting point in southern Gaza to receive coffins of individuals described as "space abductees," the IDF announced via X at approximately 7:31 PM UTC on October 18th, 2025. The IDF has requested sensitivity and adherence to official identification procedures for the families of the abductees. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on "The Patriots" program, aired around 7:31 PM UTC, that the Gaza war will officially conclude upon the return of all hostage bodies and the disarmament and demilitarization of Hamas, a stance also reported by AFP around the same time. Further context on the conflict's end was provided by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who stated in an interview that the war will conclude after phase two of a truce is completed, contingent on Hamas's disarmament. This aligns with previous statements made by Netanyahu on October 18th, 2025, regarding the conditions for ending the conflict. The Prime Minister also revealed that Iran had intended to deploy two airborne divisions to support Nasrallah, according to C14 News. In a related development, the United Arab Emirates has purchased land in Israel for the construction of a permanent embassy, KAN, Israel's public broadcaster, reported on Saturday, October 18th, 2025. This comes as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly conditioning their financial support for Gaza's reconstruction on the disarmament of Hamas, according to earlier reports from X users @kaisos1987 and @AyalaHasson on "NewShabbat."
