★ISRAEL

1. Hamas Returns Four Deceased Hostages, Israel Strikes Gaza, Closes Rafah

Hamas returned only four of 28 Israeli hostage bodies, citing unknown burial sites, Israeli-controlled areas, and Gaza destruction, prompting Israeli strikes on Khan Younis and eastern Gaza that killed four Palestinians, including one in Al-Fakhari, and northwest Rafah during drone activity. An international committee is assisting recovery, but Israeli officials view delays as ceasefire violations and have decided to keep the Rafah crossing closed until all hostages’ remains are returned.

2. Hamas Executes Rivals, Clashes With Clans; Over 50 Dead Reported

Hours after releasing Israeli hostages under a ceasefire deal, Hamas security forces executed at least eight individuals accused of collaborating with Israel or participating in rival clan activity. Executions were conducted publicly and filmed by crowds, while Hamas deployed fighters citywide to enforce control and targeted suspected traitors. Reports say more than 50 members of opposing groups to Hamas have been killed since Monday.

3. Reports of Historic Indonesian Presidential Visit to Israel Denied by Jakarta

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was reportedly planning the first-ever visit by a sitting Indonesian leader to Israel, mediated secretly by the U.S., following earlier talks on normalizing relations and OECD support. Subianto previously expressed support for Israel’s security and a two-state solution. However, Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry denied the trip, leaving the potential visit uncertain.

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★AFRICA

4. Boulos Emphasizes U.S. Strategic Interest Resolving Ethiopia-Egypt Conflict

Masad Boulos, U.S. Advisor to President Trump, stressed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is strategic for U.S. interests, calling it a “reality” and emphasizing peaceful, technical solutions; Washington seeks an agreed-upon framework among Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, with Trump possibly facilitating talks between Presidents Abiy Ahmed and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Ethiopia asserts sovereign water rights and transparency, while Egypt and Sudan accuse Ethiopia of flooding downstream areas, prompting states of emergency. The U.S. underscores dialogue over unilateral measures, framing the dispute as technical rather than political, affecting all Nile Basin nations. Boulos is emerging as a significant figure in Arab media, frequently featured on Al Hadath, Al Arabiya, and Al Jazeera. 

5. Algeria Signs $5.4 Billion Oil and Gas Deal with Saudi Midad Energy

Algeria’s state-owned Sonatrach signed a $5.4 billion, 30-year production-sharing contract with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy to explore and develop oil and gas in the Illizi Basin, near In Amenas. The deal, fully funded by Midad, includes a seven-year exploration period and could yield nearly 993 million barrels of oil equivalent, including 125 billion cubic meters of gas, strengthening Algeria’s energy exports and infrastructure modernization.

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★IRAN

6. Iran, Hamas Eye Sudan to Rebuild Influence, Reroute Arms

Iran has increased involvement in Sudan, supplying drones and military support to the Sudanese Armed Forces amid civil war, while using the country’s Red Sea access to bolster Hamas and regional operations; Tehran leverages Sudan’s instability to rebuild influence and rearm, though Sudan’s recognition of Israel limits gains, and analysts note Iran’s calculated efforts exploit chaos without full strategic freedom, as support to Hamas and arms transit continues despite regional constraints.

7. Iran Rejects Trump Peace Call, Declines Sharm el-Sheikh Summit Invitation

Iran dismissed President Trump’s peace call, citing U.S. June strikes on nuclear sites that killed over 1,000 civilians; Supreme Leader Khamenei stated, “The Iranian nation stands firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace,” accusing Trump of lying about peace and enabling massacres, while Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran could not engage with officials “who have attacked the Iranian people and continue sanctions”; Tehran declined the Sharm el-Sheikh summit invitation, supports Gaza ceasefire and Palestinian self-determination, but views U.S.-led talks as politically one-sided and lacking legitimacy.

8. Russia Rejects Snapback, Expands Legal Arms Trade With Iran

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed that Moscow faces no limits on military or technical cooperation with Iran, supplying Tehran with arms legally under bilateral agreements, despite UN sanctions reimposed via the “snapback” mechanism. Lavrov criticized the snapback process as a “trap” and “utterly outrageous,” accusing the West of abusing international law. However, Iranian officials have criticized Russia’s limited support during the recent 12-day Iran–Israel conflict, alleging Russian disclosure of air defense positions to Israel. Iran is now seeking deeper military ties with Russia and China.

9. MI5 Warns UK MPs of Espionage Threats from Iran, Russia, China

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum has warned UK Members of Parliament (MPs) that spies from Iran, Russia, and China are targeting them to influence policy, gather intelligence, and undermine democracy. The warning, issued on October 13, 2025, highlights tactics such as blackmail, phishing, and cultivating personal relationships. McCallum emphasized that such foreign interference erodes the foundations of UK sovereignty and national security. The advisory follows the collapse of a legal case against two British men accused of spying for China, due to insufficient evidence. MI5 urged MPs to remain vigilant against covert approaches and suspicious activities.

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★SYRIA

10. Turkiye Extends Military Operations Depth, Modifies Adana-Syria Agreement

Turkiye signed a military cooperation deal allowing Turkish forces to operate up to 30 kilometers inside Syrian territory, extending the original 5-kilometer depth under the 1998 Adana Agreement. 

11. Russia: Syria Interested in Maintaining Two Military Bases

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Syria seeks to retain Russia’s naval and air bases on its territory. Moscow is negotiating with Damascus on preserving and updating the bases’ roles, which could include serving as logistical hubs for humanitarian aid to Africa, in addition to their strategic military functions in the region.

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★TURKIYE

12. Erdoğan Ultimatum Blocks Netanyahu Attendance at Gaza Peace Summit

President Erdoğan reportedly prevented Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from attending the Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza summit by threatening to return to Ankara, backed by Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, and key Arab League states, prompting Netanyahu’s invitation to be rescinded despite U.S. encouragement, after Turkiye informed Egypt and Washington of objections and regional leaders pressured withdrawal, allowing the summit to convene with Erdoğan, Qatar, Egypt, and Arab League states addressing Gaza’s humanitarian and de-escalation issues.

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★THE GULF

13. Arab Leaders Back U.S. Peace, Insist On Statehood Roadmap

Saudi Arabia backed the deal’s goals, reiterated support for a future Palestinian state, and signed the declaration while avoiding commitment to immediate statehood. The UAE welcomed the agreement and called for urgent humanitarian access, linking enduring peace to a two-state solution and warning Israel against annexation. Qatar, co-signer at the summit, highlighted its mediation role and called for sustained aid and credible steps toward Palestinian self-determination. Jordan warned the region faces disaster without a clear path to Palestinian statehood and demanded the process prevent displacement or annexation. Egypt praised the Trump-led peace as a “last chance” but stressed Palestinian dignity and the need for eventual independence. 

14. Kuwait Announces Largest Gas Discovery in Its History

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation announced the discovery of the offshore Jizza gas field, marking the country’s highest vertical well output from the Managish formation. Initial tests show production of over 29 million cubic feet of gas and 5,000 barrels of condensate per day, with low CO₂ and no H₂S or water. Estimated reserves exceed 1 trillion cubic feet of gas and 120 million barrels of condensate.

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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.