Morning Brief: Trump Warns Russia on Tomahawk Missiles, Hamas Releases First Hostages, Chinese Ships Ram Philippine Vessel

Good morning — here’s your Monday, October 13, 2025, world brief. Trump warns Russia he may send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine as Moscow pounds the power grid. The US government shutdown stretches into its third week with layoffs looming. In Gaza, Hamas releases hostages as Trump lands in Israel for a peace summit, and the UN takes over aid operations. Afghanistan and Pakistan clash along the border, and Chinese ships ram a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea.

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Trump Warns Russia He May Send Ukraine Tomahawk Missiles if War Isn’t Settled Soon

President Donald Trump warned Sunday that he may authorize the delivery of US Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine if Russia fails to move toward ending its war, signaling a possible escalation in US support for Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump said he discussed the idea with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the Tomahawk “an incredible, very offensive weapon” that Russia “does not need.”

The comments came after Russian strikes hit Ukraine’s power grid overnight.

NOW – Trump says he might speak to Putin “I might say, look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them tomahawks.” pic.twitter.com/dkVTgjtUhB

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 12, 2025

Moscow’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the potential transfer of Tomahawks was “of extreme concern.”

Zelenskyy called his latest conversation with Trump “very productive” and said Ukraine is “working on” securing approval for the missiles.

The warning marks a tougher stance from Trump, who recently said Ukraine could reclaim all territory lost to Russia, a shift from his earlier calls for compromise.

Vance Warns of ‘Painful’ Federal Layoffs as Shutdown Enters 12th Day with No Deal in Sight

Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that the Trump administration plans deeper cuts to the federal workforce the longer the government shutdown continues, warning that the reductions “will be painful.”

The shutdown, now in its 12th day, has already furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers, with the Office of Management and Budget confirming that more than 4,000 employees will soon be fired.

Vance said the administration is prioritizing military pay and food assistance for low-income Americans, but unions have filed lawsuits calling the firings illegal and excessive.

.@VP on layoffs due to the Democrat Shutdown: “The longer this goes on, the deeper the cuts are going to be — and to be clear, some of these cuts are going to be painful… We’re trying to do the best that we can with the shutdown situation that Chuck Schumer has left us.” pic.twitter.com/CqseN9ws6c

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 12, 2025

The shutdown began after Democrats rejected a Republican funding bill that omitted extensions for Affordable Care Act health subsidies. Both sides remain deadlocked, with no negotiations underway. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of staging a partisan fight, while Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Republicans are refusing to compromise despite controlling both chambers of Congress and the presidency.

Russia Pounds Ukraine’s Power Grid as Moscow Warns US Over Possible Tomahawk Missile Aid

Russia launched new overnight strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, wounding two energy workers and damaging infrastructure across several regions, as Moscow warned of “extreme concern” over potential US plans to send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv.

The Kremlin said the possible transfer of Tomahawks would sharply escalate tensions, while Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko downplayed the likelihood of immediate delivery.

❗️At night, kamikaze drones of the SBU and SOF of Ukraine hit an oil terminal and a number of electrical substations in temporarily occupied Crimea

Among them:

▪️ Feodosia Marine Oil Terminal — drones hit at least five tanks. A large-scale fire is recorded on the territory of… pic.twitter.com/ioGbywjs59

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) October 13, 2025

Ukraine’s Air Force reported downing 103 of 118 Russian drones, while Russia claimed to have intercepted 32 Ukrainian drones over its territory.

Ceasefire Deal Shuts Down Controversial Gaza Aid Network as UN Prepares to Resume Relief Efforts

Food distribution sites operated by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) are being closed under the terms of the ceasefire deal, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

Witnesses said at least three sites in Rafah and central Gaza were abandoned, with residents dismantling structures after Israeli troops withdrew from parts of the area.

The closures follow widespread criticism that GHF’s system forced Palestinians to risk their lives to reach aid sites near Israeli military positions, where hundreds were reportedly killed by gunfire as troops tried to control crowds.

The United Nations, which had opposed GHF’s creation, is now preparing to take over food and aid delivery, with 170,000 metric tons of supplies ready to enter Gaza. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said initial shipments, including cooking gas, began Sunday and are expected to ramp up to 600 trucks daily.

VIDEO | Civilians dismantle the US and Israeli-led Gaza ‘Humanitarian’ Foundation (GHF) distribution center in Netzarim, central Gaza.

GHF sites functioned as death traps that weaponized aid to humiliate Palestinians and slaughter thousands of hungry aid seekers. pic.twitter.com/WRrGDutwqw

— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) October 12, 2025

US officials said future funding for GHF remains uncertain, though it could play a role if UN efforts fail to meet demand.

GHF, created in May to replace UN operations, said the shutdowns are temporary and described them as “tactical changes.”

Hamas Releases First Hostages Under US-Brokered Ceasefire as Trump Arrives in Region

Hamas released seven hostages Monday under a US-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The hostages, handed to the Red Cross, are the first of 20 living captives to be exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Families across Israel celebrated as news of the release broke, while Palestinians awaited the return of prisoners, some serving life sentences.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel to meet with freed hostages’ families and will later co-chair a regional peace summit in Egypt.

The ceasefire, which follows months of international pressure, allows for increased humanitarian aid into Gaza, where most of the population remains displaced and much of the territory lies in ruins.

#LIVE Hamas has begun handing over the Israeli captives in Gaza to the Red Crosshttps://t.co/ndjZmfqzod

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 13, 2025

Major questions remain over Gaza’s future governance, Hamas’s disarmament, and Israel’s military withdrawal.

The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, has since left more than 67,000 Palestinians dead and 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza health officials.

World Leaders Gather in Egypt for ‘Summit for Peace’ to Cement Gaza Ceasefire

President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi co-chaired a “Summit for Peace” on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh aimed at solidifying the ceasefire that ended two years of war between Israel and Hamas and outlining Gaza’s postwar future.

Leaders from the United Nations, European Union, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, and Turkey attended, though Israel and Hamas did not.

The meeting coincided with Hamas’s planned release of the remaining 20 Israeli hostages and Israel’s freeing of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The summit seeks to prevent renewed fighting and advance Trump’s regional peace plan, which calls for disarming Hamas, rebuilding Gaza, and creating a new Palestinian security force.

Egypt, which opposed earlier proposals to depopulate Gaza, will lead reconstruction efforts estimated at $53 billion.

📍Donald Trump lands in Tel Aviv, Israel

🇺🇸 The US president is set to meet with the families of Israeli hostages and address the Israeli parliament

➡️ The president will depart for Egypt at 1100GMT to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Gaza https://t.co/2zvjYRu8v9 pic.twitter.com/gSiIazO4C1

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 13, 2025

World leaders are expected to issue a joint statement of support but not resolve key issues such as Gaza’s governance, Israel’s troop presence, or long-term funding.

Afghanistan, Pakistan Clash Along Border

Afghanistan said Sunday that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and captured 25 army posts in overnight border operations, calling the strikes retaliation for repeated violations of its territory.

Pakistan’s military confirmed clashes but reported 23 troops killed and said it had seized 19 Afghan positions in response.

Both sides accused the other of aggression as fighting closed major crossings at Torkham and Chaman, halting trade and refugee movements.

‼️‼️⚔️Intense shooting and clashes have erupted along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.

The Taliban struck several positions held by Pakistani border guards, forcing Pakistani forces to retreat from certain sections of the frontier.

See the latest updates with us: @visionergeo pic.twitter.com/HsPMonA0tl

— Visioner (@visionergeo) October 11, 2025

The Taliban government said it would continue to defend Afghan territory if Pakistan attacks again, while Islamabad claimed to have destroyed several Afghan outposts and “neutralized” more than 200 Taliban fighters.

Regional powers including Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged restraint, warning the confrontation could destabilize the region already strained by Pakistan’s fight with insurgents and its rivalry with India.

Chinese Ships Ram Philippine Vessel, Fire Water Cannons Near Disputed South China Sea Island

Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons and rammed a Philippine government vessel anchored off Thitu Island on Sunday, slightly damaging the ship in the latest South China Sea confrontation, Philippine officials said.

No injuries were reported among the Filipino crew of the BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV-3003), part of a fisheries support fleet.

The Philippines has accused China of “deliberately” ramming a Philippine government vessel and causing minor damage near an island in a disputed area of the South China Sea https://t.co/dlsUyaqBeM pic.twitter.com/JPSQtNXK8A

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 12, 2025

Two other Philippine vessels were also hit with water cannons during the incident about 1.6 nautical miles from Thitu, which is occupied by the Philippines but claimed by China.

Beijing accused Manila of illegally entering Chinese waters near Sandy Cay and said its forces acted “in accordance with the law.”

The Philippines condemned the “bullying tactics” and vowed not to yield territory, while the United States denounced China’s “aggressive actions” and reaffirmed its defense commitment to Manila.

The clash marks another escalation in the disputed Spratly Islands, where China has built fortified artificial islands despite a 2016 international ruling rejecting its expansive claims.

Sources: News Agencies