★ISRAEL

1. Trump Gaza Plan Update: Hamas Accepts Complete Disarmament Framework

Technical teams convened in Sharm el-Sheikh Monday morning clarifying Trump’s 20-point Gaza framework while chief negotiator Ron Dermer remained absent despite initial announcements. Hamas source claims gathering deceased hostage bodies. International bodies began weapons inventory procedures Monday as Hamas accepted Trump’s complete disarmament framework despite fears of confronting political opponents and Gaza tribal factions. Hamas maintains a limited arsenal of locally-made rockets, light weapons, and explosive devices while negotiating surrender terms. The group’s strategic underground tunnel network, which Israel claims exceeds 700 kilometers, represents the primary dismantlement target under international supervision. 

Trump pressures swift first phase completion this week, warning “massive bloodshed will follow” without resolution. White House confirms U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are participating in “technical talks” discussing hostage and prisoner exchange lists, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating teams are ensuring “perfect environment” for releases. Despite ongoing indirect negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh on a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange, Israel intensified airstrikes, hitting Shuja’iyya and other areas. PM Netanyahu, facing pressure from far-right coalition members and U.S. insistence to accept the Gaza plan, cited Lebanon as a model, warning that operations could continue after an initial withdrawal to prevent premature return of displaced residents. Separately, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced participation readiness despite warning of “dangerous proposal dimensions”. 

2. Israel Reports Mass Gaza Displacement As Casualty Count Rises

Israeli Defense Ministry confirms 1,152 security personnel killed since October 7, with 42% under age 21 serving mandatory military duty. IDF reports approximately 900,000 Palestinians evacuated Gaza City since mid-August following ground invasion beginning September 16, leaving 100,000-200,000 remaining. The evacuation surge accelerated from initial 70,000 to current levels as Israeli operations intensified in Gaza’s largest urban center.

3. Israeli Army’s Haredi Brigade to Join Gaza Combat for First Time

For the first time, the Israeli Haredi brigade “Hashmonaim” is set to engage in combat in northern Gaza. After seven months of infantry training, including urban and night fighting, sniping, and raids, soldiers carried Torah scrolls into the Gaza envelope areas before maneuvers. The brigade combines religious study with military service, allowing Haredi soldiers to serve while maintaining their faith and identity.

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★IRAN

4. Russia Iran Defense Partnership Creates Regional Air Shield

Leaked Rostec documents reveal Iran purchasing 48 Su-35 fighters in a $6.5 billion deal, marking unprecedented military cooperation following October 2 strategic partnership activation. Iran accepted Moscow’s air defense proposal, inviting Iraq to join multilateral negotiations with Russia, China and North Korea for advanced systems. Iranian Defense Ministry confirms acquiring modernized MiG-29 fighters plus Su-35 components while seeking S-400 air defense integration. The partnership includes comprehensive electronic warfare capabilities through Khibiny-M pods and advanced radar systems targeting Israeli air operations over regional airspace. Tehran and Baghdad concluded joint measures necessary after the 12-day Israel conflict exposed air defense failures, requiring immediate multilayer protection against simultaneous multi-pronged attacks.

5. China Uses Secret “Oil-for-Infrastructure” Channel with Iran

Western officials reveal China bypasses U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil through a covert system: Tehran ships crude to China, while state-backed Chinese firms build infrastructure projects in Iran. Key actors include Sinosure, China’s export credit insurer, and the hidden financial entity Chuxin, which channels payments to contractors. This mechanism strengthens Sino-Iranian economic ties and sustains Iran’s oil revenue during sanctions.

6. Iran Freezes Nuclear Cooperation Deal with IAEA During Tensions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the suspension of the Cairo agreement to resume cooperation with the IAEA after the reactivation of “snapback” sanctions, emphasizing diplomacy as the only solution to the nuclear crisis. He criticized the European trio for failing to pressure Tehran, while Netanyahu claimed Israel knows the locations of Iran’s enriched uranium.

7. Iran’s Parliament Removes Four Zeros from Currency to Tackle Inflation

Iran’s parliament approved a law to cut four zeros from the national currency, replacing the rial with the toman, where 1 toman equals 10,000 rials. The measure aims to simplify transactions and restore confidence in the local currency during chronic inflation, though experts warn it requires deeper economic reforms to stabilize exchange rates and ensure lasting impact.

8. Nineteen Major Dams in Iran Near Drying Up During Severe Water Shortage

Nineteen of Iran’s main dams are nearing depletion, with three already dry, according to the Iranian Water Resources Management Company. After five consecutive drought years, only 35% of reservoirs are filled, and water inflows have halved from last year, threatening drinking water, agriculture, and industry nationwide.

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★IRAQ

9. Iraq Partners with Russia on Peaceful Nuclear Energy Projects

Iraq signed memorandums with Russia to explore peaceful nuclear energy, planning to add 11,000 MW to its grid. The government will build new power plants using dual-fuel and advanced cycles, upgrade transmission and smart distribution, and expand solar, wind, and waste-to-energy projects, offering investment opportunities to local and global companies while enhancing efficiency and digital payment systems.

10. Iraq Hits Record Electricity Output, Expands Solar Projects

Iraq raised electricity production to over 28,000 MW for the first time, says Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel, citing network upgrades and congestion relief. The ministry is diversifying energy with solar projects in Basra, Karbala, and Babylon, and signing contracts for local-fuel power plants totaling 48,000 MW to strengthen the country’s energy security.

11. Iraq Receives Over One Million Barrels from Kurdistan for Export

Iraq has received more than one million barrels of oil from the Kurdistan region, resuming exports via the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline to Ceyhan port after a two-year halt. The federal government now manages the export process, targeting European and American markets. The move boosts Iraq’s budget and strengthens cooperation with Kurdish authorities under a technical, sustainable agreement.

12. Iraq Enforces Election Spending Limits To Block Foreign Funding

Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission announced strict enforcement of campaign spending regulations ahead of parliamentary elections on November 11, barring all foreign funding, public-sector donations, or state-bank contributions. Each candidate’s spending cap is set at 250 dinars per eligible voter, with political alliances allowed proportional totals. Candidates must appoint certified accountants and submit financial reports within 15 and 30 days after voting. Violations may result in fines, disqualification, or annulled results. Security chief Lt. Gen. Qais al-Muhammadawi ordered nationwide coordination between intelligence and security forces to prevent interference and ensure stability during voting. Meanwhile, over one million campaign posters appeared across Iraq, and monitors recorded 301 early campaign violations, including misuse of government property and pre-campaign advertising. The commission confirmed 7,768 approved candidates and 21.4 million eligible voters.

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★TURKIYE

13. Türkiye’s CHP Launches Major Internal Purge During Factional Tensions

Türkiye’s main opposition CHP, under Özgür Özel, is replacing nearly 300 district chairs and potentially 25 provincial leaders to consolidate power, sidelining supporters of former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The party advances its congress calendar despite low voter turnout, ongoing corruption probes, and a lawsuit challenging the November 2023 intraparty election, aiming to reshape delegates and minimize internal dissent.

14. Erdogan’s Opposition Meetings Fuel Speculation on New Presidential Term

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with opposition leaders, excluding the main CHP party, sparking debate over potential early elections or constitutional changes to enable another presidential run. While his party seeks support from other opposition factions to secure the 360 parliamentary votes needed, opposition leaders insist the meetings reflect dialogue, not alliance, During Turkey’s complex political maneuvering.

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★SYRIA

15. Syrian Forces Clash With SDF As Routes Closed

Syrian government troops and Syrian Democratic Forces exchanged heavy gunfire and rocket fire near Deir Hafer, eastern Aleppo, on October 5, prompting the closure of main roads linking Raqqa and Aleppo and river crossings in Deir ez-Zor, halting movement between rival territories. The SDF reported drone and artillery strikes, while Syria’s Defense Ministry denied offensive action, citing “maximum restraint.”

16. Electoral Colleges Choose Lawmakers As President To Appoint Remainder

Approximately 6,000 members of regional electoral colleges participated in Syria’s indirect parliamentary selection process on October 5, choosing candidates from pre-approved lists to fill 140 seats of the new 210-member People’s Assembly. The process involved electoral college members rather than direct popular voting, with authorities citing unreliable census data following years of conflict and displacement of millions. Over 1,500 candidates competed for seats, with only 14% being women, while interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will directly appoint the remaining 70 lawmakers. The selection excluded Kurdish-held northeast regions and Druze-majority Sweida province, leaving 32 seats empty due to security concerns and areas outside Damascus control. Women secured just six seats out of 140 elected positions in Syria’s first post-Assad parliamentary vote, representing 4.3% of winners despite comprising 14% of the 1,578 candidates. Electoral Committee Chairman Muhammad Taha al-Ahmad acknowledged that only 3% of votes went to women candidates and stated President Ahmed al-Sharaa will address this disparity when appointing the remaining 70 seats. Meanwhile, A senior Kurdish official from the Autonomous Administration in northeast Syria criticized the country’s parliamentary elections, stating that the elected members “do not represent the diverse political will of Syrian society.” 

17. Syria and Jordan Seize One Million Drugs in Joint Border Operation

Syrian and Jordanian anti-narcotics authorities foiled seven smuggling attempts, confiscating around one million pills and arresting several suspects. The joint operations involved intelligence sharing and coordinated field actions, dismantling organized trafficking networks. Officials emphasized that combating drug smuggling is both a security and humanitarian responsibility, with continued bilateral cooperation planned to protect communities.

18. Syria Resumes Maritime Route with Italy After Years of Sanctions

A ship carrying vehicles and heavy equipment arrived at Latakia port, marking the reopening of the Syria-Italy maritime route after more than seven years of suspension due to sanctions. Officials highlighted the move as boosting trade, logistics, and port activity, with expectations of increased ship arrivals and strengthened economic cooperation between the two countries.

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★YEMEN

19. Houthi Leader Claims 228 Attacks on Ships in Two Years

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi claimed responsibility for 228 attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the past two years, framing them as support for Palestinians. Last week alone, 18 attacks targeted Israeli and international ships. The EU and Yemen’s government condemned the assaults, warning they endanger global trade and regional security.

20. Yemen Government Seizes Drone and Surveillance Equipment on Smuggling Boat

Yemen’s joint security forces, led by Brig. Gen. Hamdi Shukri, intercepted a smuggling boat off Lahj’s Al-Mudharabah and Ras Al-Arah coast carrying high-tech drone and surveillance gear linked to Iran-backed Houthi militias. Three smugglers were arrested. The confiscated items included high-resolution cameras, remote controls, GPS units, batteries, and carbon fibers, aimed at enhancing Houthi drone capabilities during rising Red Sea attacks.

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★ Disclaimer: The Early Phoenix is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.