Skip next section International team to locate hostages’ bodies in Gaza: reports
10/17/2025October 17, 2025
International team to locate hostages’ bodies in Gaza: reports
An international team of military experts will enter the in a bid to locate the bodies of hostages, reports in Israel say.
According to Israel’s Channel 13, the team includes members from the US, Turkey, Qatar and Egypt, and will work with intelligence given to it by Israel regarding the potential location of the bodies.
As part of , the Palestinian militant group has committed to returning all the hostages it holds, both living and deceased.
While the on Monday, Hamas has only returned the bodies of nine of the 28 remaining hostages, with the group claiming it needs time to locate the bodies due to the destruction in Gaza.
Israel has accused Hamas of moving too slow in returning the bodies.
https://p.dw.com/p/529d9
Skip next section German FM in Turkey for Gaza, Syria talks
10/17/2025October 17, 2025
German FM in Turkey for Gaza, Syria talks
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is in on Friday for talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, as well as other Turkish government representatives
The discussions are set to cover a wide range of issues, including the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and supporting progress on the next steps of the .
“There is great potential for cooperation in foreign policy” between Turkey and Germany, a Foreign Ministry statement seen by DW said.
“In the Middle East conflict, Turkey contributed to the historic ceasefire in Gaza through its role as mediator. As one of the supporters of the peace plan — and as a state that we expect to continue to exert pressure on Hamas — Turkey has a responsible role to play,” it added.
https://p.dw.com/p/529ZT
Skip next section Still no date for Rafah crossing opening
10/17/2025October 17, 2025
Still no date for Rafah crossing opening
Israel said on Thursday that it was preparing to reopen the with Egypt, but has set no date for the reopening.
Speaking to reporters in Naples, Italy, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he “hoped” the crossing would be opened as soon as Sunday.
Israel has previously said the would only permit people to enter and exit the Gaza Strip, and would not allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Once Rafah is reopened, humanitarian aid will be rerouted and continue to cross into Gaza following security checks at the Kerem Shalom crossing to the southeast, said a spokesman for COGAT, the Israeli Defense Ministry agency tasked with providing logistical assistance to Palestinian territories.
https://p.dw.com/p/529ey
Skip next section Israeli fans banned from away game in the UK
10/17/2025October 17, 2025
Israeli fans banned from away game in the UK
The West Midlands police have banned supporters of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their club’s Europa League away game at Birmingham-based club Aston Villa, citing security concerns.
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https://p.dw.com/p/529f0
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage
10/17/2025October 17, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Our coverage of the Middle East this Friday starts off with Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, visiting Turkey.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry has said the Gaza ceasefire deal will take center stage.
Elsewhere, reports in Israel suggest an international team of military personnel will start operating in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to find the bodies of deceased hostages.
Stay here for all the latest news involving the Middle East.
https://p.dw.com/p/529QA
The post Middle East: German FM in Turkey with Gaza in focus appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
