HEADLINES
Abbas Visa Denial Clouds Gaza UNGA Talks
NYC Mayoral Race Tests Police Diplomacy
Germany Eyes EU Israel Sanctions By Oct

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Tonight’s update begins with the widening footprint of the Gaza war as the United Nations General Assembly prepares to open in New York, where the future of the Palestinians and the Gaza strip is expected to dominate the conversations. More than 140 world leaders are expected to attend, and a conspicuous absence will be Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who will not be in New York after United States officials denied visas for him and his delegation. In the meantime, other world capitals weigh how to respond to the humanitarian and political dimensions of the conflict, including how to pressure Hamas and how to address Palestinian statehood aspirations in a way that preserves stability and regional security.

In New York, the domestic politics of security and diplomacy intersect with the Gaza crisis. A prominent mayoral race in New York has drawn attention to the intersection of American law enforcement and foreign policy, with discussions surrounding whether a New York City mayor could direct police actions in relation to foreign leaders and security operations. Separately, a threat case has touched the campaign trail as a man faces hate crime charges for threatening a mayoral candidate with violent language tied to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, highlighting ongoing fears about political violence in the United States.

Back in city and state politics, the city’s financial leadership looms large over how public funds are invested in a volatile global environment. Mark Levine, the Jewish candidate poised to become New York City’s next comptroller, argues that the office must maintain independent oversight and a diversified portfolio, including investments tied to Israel. Levine has defended Israel bonds as a sound financial element of a broadly diversified portfolio, even as rival candidates or political movements seek to reframe those investments. The interview underscores a recurring theme in New York politics: the balance between fiduciary duty to retirees and political debate over Israel policy. Levine emphasizes that the comptroller’s authority rests with a governance structure that requires judgment and accountability, and he notes that divesting from Israeli equities or bonds would depend on fiduciary considerations, legal constraints, and the work of the city’s asset management division. The discussion also touches on the broader issue of antisemitism and the responsibility of civic leadership to build coalitions across communities to counter hatred and hatred-driven policy choices.

In the realm of diplomacy and international policy, European leaders are positioning themselves in the unfolding Gaza crisis. Germany’s leadership signaled that a decision on backing European Union sanctions against Israel would come by the October European Council, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz noting that criticism of the Israeli government must remain possible, but cannot be allowed to foment anti-Jewish hatred. This stance appears alongside the European Commission’s push to suspend portions of Israel’s export trade arrangement as part of a broader set of measures, though the proposal has not yet secured unanimous support among member states. These developments illustrate the delicate balance European governments are trying to strike between pressuring Israel over Gaza operations and avoiding a drift toward isolating Israel on the world stage.

In the battlefield reports from Israel and Gaza, the conflict remains dangerously active. The war, in its ongoing phase, has produced casualties and a continuing hostage dimension that complicates any military and diplomatic calculus. The news organizations covering the war describe the toll at the front lines and in the broader region, including accounts of hostilities around Rafah and across Gaza, and the impact on civilians and families awaiting news about captives. The reporting also notes the day-by-day continuity of the conflict, marking 714 days since the start of the broader war in the region, and it highlights the ongoing hostage crisis that continues to dominate humanitarian discussions and peace efforts. In related coverage, a rally featuring a mother displaying her son’s urine from Gaza case underscores the visceral emotions driving hostage negotiations and the public demand for accountability and progress toward resolving the humanitarian crisis.

On the security front inside Israel, the toll of violence continues to be felt through the stories of fallen soldiers and the ongoing threats on multiple fronts. Reports detail the deaths of six Israel Defense Forces soldiers on Thursday, four in a bombing incident near Rafah and two in a separate attack at the Allenby Crossing. The individuals ranged from a young soldier celebrating a birthday to a newlywed officer and a father who had just left his son’s Brit milah, emphasizing the personal costs of the conflict and the human dimension behind the numbers. The coverage also reflects the broader sense of vigilance and the urgency of safeguarding civilians amid ongoing military operations and regional threats.

The diplomatic and public safety landscape is further complicated by provocative rhetoric and real-world threats that cross borders. In the United States, President Donald Trump has stated he would intervene if a New York City mayor attempted to order the police to detain or arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, characterizing such a move as inappropriate and a potential constitutional overreach. The remark illustrates how American domestic politics can intersect with high-stakes foreign policy decisions. Meanwhile, the security climate in the United States includes legal actions tied to threats against candidates, as prosecutors file charges against a person accused of using Islamophobic language and violent references to the Israeli military to threaten a New York City mayoral candidate.

In other developments, a dramatic incident involving international travel captured headlines. A United States president’s aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in England due to a hydraulic issue, with officials reporting that safety considerations guided the decision and that the president and the first lady subsequently proceeded by support helicopter to their next destination. The incident serves as a reminder of the fragility and unpredictability that can accompany high-profile international travel during times of global tension.

Lastly, a natural disaster outside the Middle East drew attention to global risks. A powerful earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka region, registering a magnitude of seven point eight and a depth of about ten kilometers, followed by a sequence of aftershocks reaching magnitudes as high as five point eight. Authorities reported no damage at the time, but the event underlined how distant seismic events can become part of a global news cycle in moments of regional conflict and political uncertainty.

In summary, the current moment presents a mosaic of security challenges, political maneuvering, and humanitarian concerns that span continents. From New York’s mayoral politics and the fiduciary duties of New York City’s next comptroller to the escalating crisis in Gaza and the nuanced European responses to Israel’s actions, the news today reflects a world grappling with how to pursue security, accountability, and peace in an environment of competing pressures and shifting alliances. The United States, under a framework described in some quarters as pursuing peace through strength in close alignment with Israel, remains attentive to both the need to deter aggression and the imperative to protect civilians and uphold international law, while international and domestic voices seek a path toward a sustainable resolution that can endure beyond the current cycle of violence.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868048
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-868047
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868046
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/gaza-palestinian-future-dominate-un-gathering_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
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