Oct 29, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, stating that Israeli troops will remain in the enclave until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Addressing his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu declared that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" recently accepted by Hamas. He emphasized that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" and announced that operations to neutralize threats would persist. The rejection comes despite the Israeli military temporarily easing offensive actions under American diplomatic pressure.

The political rift highlights growing tension between Washington and Jerusalem ahead of Israel's national election on October 27, where Netanyahu faces competing demands from hardline coalition partners and international mediators.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Toledo after a high-speed AVE train struck a stationary Iryo convoy from behind near Urda. Official fatality counts vary across reports, ranging from at least 46 to 64 dead, with around 150 people injured.

The collision pushed two carriages down an embankment, forcing the complete closure of the high-speed line linking Madrid and Andalusia. Castilla-La Mancha Regional President Emiliano García-Page stated that authorities "esperamos más fallecidos" as emergency personnel continue working through the wreckage. The incident marks the second major crash on the corridor within nine months, following an accident in Adamuz. High-speed rail services remain suspended while safety investigations proceed.

Sources: Canarias7, El Mundo, La Vanguardia

Polish military analysts and think tanks are urging comprehensive institutional reforms to match Warsaw's record defense spending, which is projected to reach 200.1 billion zlotys, equivalent to 4.81 percent of GDP, by 2026.

Proposals from organizations such as Rozwój Plus and the Defence Institute stress that acquiring advanced hardware like F-35 aircraft, Abrams tanks, and HIMARS launchers will not guarantee deterrence without systemic changes. Key recommendations include overhauling command and control structures, modernizing mobilization protocols, improving personnel retention, and reforming the military procurement architecture. Experts emphasize that institutional effectiveness is critical to ensure the armed forces can withstand initial strikes and efficiently integrate new equipment into operational readiness.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

As Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure escalate, Kyiv municipal and national authorities are coordinating winter readiness measures. Government plans include building protective structures around critical facilities and preparing evacuation strategies for residents with reduced mobility. Meanwhile, municipal officials urged citizens to prepare individual stockpiles of food, water, and backup power.

However, critics and former officials express doubt regarding the capital's readiness. Former State Restoration Agency head Serhiy Sukhomlyn remarked that officials can only hope for "a warm winter and the inaccuracy of Russian strikes." Additionally, investigative reports indicate that key energy resilience projects suffered procurement delays, pushing completion dates to March 2027.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.

The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Iraq, ending more than two decades of armed presence in the country. U.S. President Donald Trump described the exit as "a great day for America," stating on social media that Iraq is now capable of managing its own national security.

The pullout completes a 2024 agreement negotiated during the Biden administration and carried out under Trump. Although analysts note Iraq is substantially more stable today than during the previous 2011 drawdown, media reports highlight ongoing concerns that the U.S. departure could embolden regional militant groups and expand Iranian influence.

Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Defense is evaluating its broader military footprint in the Middle East following recent Iranian strikes on American facilities in the Persian Gulf, potentially paving the way for further regional force restructuring.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info