Evening Brief: Quiet Supersonic Jet Launches in Landmark Test, Israel Returns 30 Palestinian Bodies, Russian Troops Surge in Donetsk Region

Speaking at the Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain, Gabbard said US strategy now prioritizes ceasefires, counterterrorism cooperation, and stability over efforts to impose democratic systems abroad. Gabbard cited the US-brokered ceasefire ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the conclusion of Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran following American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites as examples of the new approach. She said past interventions had cost trillions of dollars and resulted in countless lives lost, while also creating new threats. WATCH: @DNIGabbard‘s full opening-night address at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain pic.twitter.com/i0ch4o4j0T — Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) October 31, 2025 Acknowledging that the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile and that Iran’s nuclear activity continues to pose risks, Gabbard said President Trump remains committed to this pragmatic course.   Hegseth Vows to Defend Indo-Pacific Interests, Signs 10-Year Security Pact With India US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday he told Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun that Washington will “stoutly defend” its interests in the Indo-Pacific, while also deepening defense cooperation with India through a new 10-year security framework. Hegseth described his meeting with Dong on the sidelines of the ASEAN defense summit in Kuala Lumpur as “good and constructive,” emphasizing US concerns over China’s activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and toward US allies in the region. Today, I met with China’s Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus. It was a good and constructive meeting. I highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and emphasized U.S.… pic.twitter.com/CcipIBWb4b — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 31, 2025 China’s Defense Ministry reaffirmed its stance that Taiwan’s reunification is an “unstoppable historical trend” and urged Washington to avoid confrontation. The talks marked another step in efforts to manage tensions despite ongoing disputes over Taiwan and freedom of navigation. During the summit, Hegseth and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh signed an agreement to expand military and technological cooperation, which both sides called vital for maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” The pact comes amid trade tensions following President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs on Indian goods. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sign a landmark 10-year defense framework pact in Kuala Lumpur, heralded by Hegseth as a “significant step” for regional stability—enhancing military coordination, tech cooperation, and information sharing… pic.twitter.com/Z1iXp9tLEa — Hindustan Times (@htTweets) October 31, 2025 Hegseth also met with Malaysian and Philippine defense officials, reaffirming US support for maritime security amid rising friction with China. Meanwhile, regional leaders voiced concern about Trump’s announcement that the US may resume nuclear weapons testing, with ASEAN officials calling for global restraint to avoid escalating risks.   Russia Masses 170,000 Troops in Donetsk as Ukraine Strikes Back at Oil Targets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that about 170,000 Russian troops have concentrated in the eastern Donetsk region in an intensified assault to capture the city of Pokrovsk. He described the situation as “difficult” but denied claims that the city is fully surrounded, saying Ukrainian forces are countering Russian units that infiltrated the area. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to preserve manpower as Ukraine faces troop shortages against a larger Russian army. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed battlefield gains and highlighted Russia’s advancing nuclear arsenal while resisting US calls for peace talks. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its campaign of long-range drone and missile strikes on Russian infrastructure. Security Service chief Vasyl Maliuk said Ukraine has hit over 160 Russian oil facilities this year, disrupting refining operations and destroying about half of Russia’s Pantsir air defense systems. 2/ Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 30, 2025: https://t.co/5Z5IsW2QUx pic.twitter.com/zyGtMwrWNT — Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 31, 2025 On the humanitarian front, United Nations officials reported rising civilian casualties and worsening conditions as Russia’s repeated strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid raise fears of a winter crisis. Civilian casualties have increased by 30 percent in 2025 compared to last year, while humanitarian funding has dropped sharply, prompting warnings that the conflict risks becoming a prolonged war.   Ukraine’s Secret Drone Program Targets Russian Refineries in Expanding Cross-Border Strikes Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign against Russia, launching frequent strikes on refineries, fuel depots, and logistics hubs deep inside Russian territory. Operating from hidden rural bases, Ukrainian forces assemble and deploy homemade drones that now reach targets up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away. The strikes, coordinated by the Security Service of Ukraine, have hit 16 major refineries and caused temporary fuel shortages, with Kyiv claiming Russia has lost about 20 percent of its gasoline supply. While most damaged refineries have resumed operations, analysts say the attacks have stretched Russia’s air defenses and forced costly logistical adjustments. REFINERY KILLER: Ukraine’s FP-1 ground-launched long-range drone is used to strike High value Russian targets at ranges up to 1600 kilometers. It will be visiting tonight. pic.twitter.com/c035YB7zRD — Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | (@ChuckPfarrer) October 28, 2025 The drones, many built from inexpensive domestic components like the Liutyi model, reflect Ukraine’s low-cost, high-impact approach to warfare. Western experts describe the campaign as a strategic shift that brings the war onto Russian soil and weakens its military capacity through sustained pressure on supply chains. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates the strikes have reduced Russia’s refining output by roughly 500,000 barrels a day, prompting fuel rationing in some regions. Russia’s refinery system is breaking down. Ilsky refinery halted operations—not for “maintenance,” but because sanctions and strikes have made repairs impossible. 16 of 38 refineries are damaged. Output down 500,000 barrels/day. Moscow now imports fuel from Belarus. 🏭… pic.twitter.com/X61C9p1k6V — Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) October 30, 2025 Ukraine’s independent production and control of its drone arsenal allow it to strike without external approval, marking a significant evolution in both range and autonomy in the conflict.   Israel Returns 30 Palestinian Bodies as Hamas Hands Over Two Hostage Remains Amid Fragile Ceasefire Israel on Friday returned the bodies of 30 Palestinians to Gaza health authorities, completing an exchange after Hamas handed over the remains of two Israeli hostages. The transfer, conducted with Red Cross mediation, marks limited progress under the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire despite Israeli strikes this week that killed more than 100 people following the death of an Israeli soldier. ⭕️ BREAKING: The Red Cross says it has transferred three more Israeli bodies from Hamas to Israel this evening. The remains were taken for forensic identification in Israel, Times of Israel reports. It remains unclear whether the remains belong to any of the 11 Israeli soldiers… pic.twitter.com/ENbAGZS0HC — Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) October 31, 2025 Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israel has returned 225 bodies so far, though only 75 have been identified. Officials said many of the remains were burned or decomposed, complicating identification efforts. Israel maintains that the returned bodies belong to combatants, a claim that has not been independently verified. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the remains of hostages Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper had been received. 🟡IDF representatives informed the families of Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch that they have been returned for burial. According to the information and intelligence available to the IDF: • Amiram Cooper was abducted alive from his house in Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists. It is… pic.twitter.com/G4PwJkAoL6 — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 30, 2025 Hamas has now returned 17 hostages’ remains under the ceasefire deal, with 11 more expected. Tensions remain high, with Israel warning Hamas to withdraw fighters from certain zones or face renewed strikes. Meanwhile, a United Nations assessment found 81 percent of Gaza’s buildings destroyed or damaged since the war began, and violence continues in the West Bank, where Israeli troops shot and killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy overnight in Silwad.   Israel’s Top Military Prosecutor Quits After Admitting to Leaking Video of Detainee Abuse Israel’s Military Advocate General Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned Friday after admitting she leaked a video showing soldiers assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military detention facility in southern Israel. Her admission, published in excerpts of a resignation letter circulated by Israeli media, sparked outrage among right-wing politicians who accused her of betraying the state. Tomer-Yerushalmi said she leaked the footage to counter claims that the military prioritized Palestinian detainees over Israeli soldiers, emphasizing that “there are actions which must never be taken even against the vilest of detainees.” Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned her actions and confirmed she would not be reinstated, adding that investigations into the leak would continue. IDF’s chief lawyer resigns after admitting ‘authorizing’ leak of video showing torture of Palestinian prisoners Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi steps down following investigation into leak of footage of infamous Sde Teiman prison where Palestinian detainee was sexually tortured last year pic.twitter.com/4jqWAvYToh — RT (@RT_com) October 31, 2025 The incident has reignited scrutiny of Israel’s handling of Palestinian detainees during the Gaza war. Rights groups have repeatedly accused the military of abuse at Sde Teiman, where detainees are often held without charge in harsh conditions, reporting beatings and lack of food.   Lebanon’s President Demands Mutual Talks as Israeli Strikes Intensify in South Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that any negotiations with Israel to halt its ongoing strikes on southern Lebanon must be mutual, following a meeting in Beirut with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The visit came amid escalating Israeli air and ground operations that have continued despite a US-brokered ceasefire nearly a year ago. Israeli forces carried out multiple strikes across southern Lebanon on Friday, killing at least two people, according to state media. A day earlier, Israeli troops raided a municipal building in the border village of Blida, killing a local employee. Lebanon condemned the raid as a violation of sovereignty, while Israel said its forces were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has accused Israel of responding to its offer to negotiate by intensifying air attacks, the latest of which killed a man in southern Lebanon https://t.co/ZcidCZS53J pic.twitter.com/ZzDtN0o7kj — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 31, 2025 Aoun said Lebanon is ready for negotiations once Israel shows equal commitment, adding that the Lebanese army will increase its southern deployment to 10,000 troops and continue working with UN peacekeepers to enforce the ceasefire. Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem voiced support for Aoun’s stance, while Germany’s Wadephul called Israel’s continued attacks “unacceptable” and urged both sides to respect the ceasefire terms.   Pakistan Eases Tensions With Afghanistan, Backs Ceasefire but Demands Action on Militants Pakistan said Friday it does not seek further escalation with Afghanistan after deadly border clashes this month but expects the Taliban government to act against militants operating from Afghan territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi’s remarks followed an agreement between the two countries to maintain a ceasefire reached after weeklong negotiations in Qatar and Turkey. The border violence earlier in October killed dozens, including soldiers and civilians, after Pakistan launched airstrikes on what it said were Pakistani Taliban hideouts inside Afghanistan. Kabul claimed the strikes killed civilians and retaliated, saying it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, though Pakistan confirmed 23 deaths. Andrabi praised Qatar and Turkey for mediating talks and said both sides would meet again in Istanbul on November 6 to finalize ceasefire implementation mechanisms. After days of negotiations in Istanbul, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to maintain the ceasefire. They have also agreed to establish a joint monitoring and verification mechanism to ensure peace along the border. Kamran Yousef has more from Islamabad pic.twitter.com/Jz1IARzGuJ — TRT World (@trtworld) October 31, 2025 Despite the truce, trade crossings remain closed due to security concerns, leaving trucks and refugees stranded. Pakistan has allowed limited refugee returns through the Chaman crossing, while Afghan officials said the Torkham crossing would reopen Saturday for refugees only. The tensions come amid Pakistan’s crackdown on illegal immigrants, with over a million Afghans deported since 2023.   Sources: News Agencies