Prime Minister's Office Announcement

The Prime Minister's Office, today (Sunday, 19 October 2025) [translated from Hebrew]:

Following the completion of the identification process by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the IDF Rabbinate, IDF representatives informed the family of hostage Sonthaya Oakkharasr, of blessed memory, that their loved one has been returned to Israel and his identification has been completed.

The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Oakkharasr family, the people of Thailand and all the families of the fallen hostages.

The Government and the entire establishment for the missing and the captives of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return all of our fallen hostages for proper burial in their country.

The Hamas terrorist organization is required to uphold its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the implementation of the agreement. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all of the fallen hostages, every last one of them.

May his memory be for a blessing."

IDF:

Earlier today, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops operating to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area, in southern Gaza, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

In response, the IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity.

These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly.

At Times Square, our message is clear:

Barely days into a ceasefire, Hamas turned its weapons on Palestinians to reassert control through fear & violence.

The world watches. The ceasefire must be upheld. Hamas must go. Gaza must be demilitarized.

Hamas is blatantly violating the ceasefire.
Hamas fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire at IDF soldiers who were in an Israeli-controlled area, according to the agreement, east of the yellow line.
We will not sit idle while our soldiers are attacked, and we will respond to these attacks forcefully.

🎥WATCH:

Several armed terrorists identified approaching IDF forces operating in the Beit Lahia area behind the yellow line, posing an immediate threat to the troops.

In accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the terrorists were struck after crossing the yellow line.

In response to Hamas’ blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement this morning, the IDF struck dozens of Hamas terror targets across Gaza.

The strikes targeted weapons storage facilities, firing posts, terrorist cells and additional Hamas terror infrastructure.

In addition, the IDF struck and dismantled ~6 km of underground terrorist infrastructure, used to advance attacks against Israel, using over 120 munitions.

We mourn the loss of two IDF soldiers from the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion, who fell in combat in southern Gaza:

🕯️ Major Yaniv Kula, 26, from Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut
🕯️ Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, from Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut

Our hearts are with their families and loved ones.

May their memory be a blessing. 🕯️

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"I congratulate President-elect Rodrigo Paz on his election as the new President of Bolivia. We extend our warm wishes to the Bolivian people for their democratic process and their choice for renewal.

Bolivia has a long history of friendship with Israel and the Jewish people.

We look forward to opening a new chapter in our bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in a wide range of fields for the benefit of both nations."

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"Just spoke with Thai FM Sihasak Phuangketkeow, following the release of dead Thai hostage Sonthaya Oakkharasri.

I briefed him on the return of Sonthaya's body on Saturday night.
I expressed our deepest condolences to the people of Thailand and his family.

Sonthaya was killed on Oct. 7th outside Kibbutz Be'eri and his body was taken hostage by Hamas.

I told my counterpart that Israel will grant all the assistance and benefits to Sonthaya's family, as to any Israeli victim of terror, as we did with the previous Thai victims.

I also emphasized Israel's ongoing efforts to return the remaining 16 dead hostages, including Thai citizen Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Regarding Hamas's violation of the ceasefire yesterday by attacking IDF soldiers, I said that Israel will respond forcefully to any violation.
We discussed bilateral relations, including the importance of Thai workers in Israel.

I invited my counterpart to soon visit Israel. 🇮🇱🇹🇭"

As millions across 🇮🇳 India light their diyas to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, 🇮🇱 Israel extends warm wishes for peace, renewal and hope.

May the lights of Diwali shine both on homes and on hearts.

From Jerusalem to Delhi and far beyond, may this festival of lights inspire us all to keep faith in a brighter tomorrow.

Wishing all our friends in India a blessed & peaceful Diwali.

🥇 Huge congratulations to 18-year-old Israeli judoka Izhak Ashpiz, who took gold at the Judo Grand Prix in Peru!

🥇 Another amazing victory for Israeli judoka Raz Hershko for winning gold in the +78 kg category at the Mexico Grand Prix: her second gold in just one week after also winning the Peru Grand Prix!

All of Israel is proud of you! 🇮🇱

📸: IJF

🟡 According to information provided by the Red Cross, a coffin of a deceased hostage has been transferred into its custody and is on the way to IDF troops in Gaza.

Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the hostages.

Despite the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to deceive the world, when a Palestinian terrorist murders an Israeli, the Palestinian Authority pays them.

Tzeela was gunned down by a Palestinian terrorist while driving to the hospital to give birth to Ravid. He didn't make it either.

A new civil lawsuit in the US by families of victims seeks plain and simple justice: hold the PA accountable. Stop Pay-For-Slay Now!

Sergeant Major Tal Haimi, 41, commander of Nir Yitzhak’s rapid response team, fell during combat defending the kibbutz during the Oct. 7 Massacre, and his body was taken into Gaza by Hamas. He leaves behind a wife, four children, a father, and a sister.
May his memory be a blessing.

Welcome to Israel, Vice President Vance! 🇮🇱🤝🇺🇸

Together, the 🇮🇱Promised Land & The 🇺🇸Land of the Free, can secure a better future, including the release of the remaining 15🎗hostages.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"My warmest congratulations to Takaichi Sanae on her historic election as Prime Minister of Japan. We look forward to further deepening the partnership between Japan and Israel across various fields and building a prosperous and secure future for both our nations. 🇮🇱🇯🇵"

EXPOSED:
Qatar's Al Jazeera gives Hamas a propaganda and psychological warfare platform.

Hamas operatives, from rocket launchers to hostage takers, work for Al Jazeera. Terror propaganda is not journalism.

Detailed report:

https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/documentary-evidence-of-hamas-al-jazeera-relations-and-cooperation/

As part of the ceasefire, Israel released 250 Palestinian terrorists serving life sentences.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) paid these same terrorists, many of them from Hamas, a collective $70 million.

This is what is called Pay-for-Slay. This policy must stop, it fuels terror.

"My Gaza, where I wish to live, exists between Israel and the yellow line. There, the war is over and change buzzes in the air. People have access to food, medicine and electricity. And other signs of normality are beginning to return, such as some children going back to school.

This is the Gaza that is waiting with anticipation to work with a new civil administration and an international protection force that will keep the peace as Israel withdraws":

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/10/21/gaza-hope-hamas-ceasefire-israel/