HEADLINES
Iran enriches to 60% amid tense diplomacy
9,000 Israelis sign Palestinian state petition
Lebanon Nabatieh drone strike escalates tensions

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. This is the 9:00 AM update.

Tensions and diplomacy dominate the region as Iran’s nuclear program and the Palestinian question shape the agenda. In Vienna and New York circles, Tehran has pressed a “fair and balanced” proposal to the European powers and to the IAEA aimed at averting the snapback of UN sanctions, while arguing that Europe’s moves are politically biased. The IAEA continues to flag that Iran enriches uranium to around 60 percent, well above the 3.67 percent cap set by the 2015 agreement. European powers have hinted at a potential delay of the snapback for up to six months if Iran restores full cooperation with inspectors and returns to negotiations with the United States. The United States signaled a willingness to engage but cautioned that verifiable steps by Iran remain essential. In recent days, Israel and the United States coordinated some strikes against Iranian targets, underscoring the fragile ceasefire and the broader contest over Iran’s regional influence.

On the Palestinian front, domestic debate within Israel intensifies as a growing petition draws public attention. Roughly 9,000 Israelis have signed a petition calling for recognition of a Palestinian state ahead of a United Nations gathering co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. Supporters say recognition could advance a two-state path and reflect a desire for peace, pointing to bereaved families and a public mood shifting away from perpetual conflict. Opponents warn that recognition could empower Hamas if not paired with strict conditions. The petition emphasizes that any step toward statehood would require Hamas to be disarmed and hostages to be released, a message that has drawn sharp international and domestic response.

In the battlefield theater surrounding Israel, security operations continue to shape daily life. In the West Bank, Israeli forces, joined by Shin Bet and border police, conducted arrests connected with a terror cell suspected of planning rocket launches toward Israel. In southern Lebanon, reports indicate a drone strike near Nabatieh outside a government hospital, though details remain developing. Across Gaza, Israeli forces say they are degrading militant capabilities as part of ongoing operations that aim to prevent attacks, destroy weapon networks, and protect civilian lives.

France and Europe also feature in today’s headlines. Paris confirms the arrest of a key suspect connected to the 1982 antisemitic attack on a Jewish restaurant in the city, as France moves forward with steps toward recognizing a Palestinian state. In Britain, authorities announced additional sanctions targeting Russian entities and individuals as part of a broader effort to respond to Moscow’s actions on the international stage.

In the broader international arena, a rare phone conversation took place between the leaders of the United States and China, focusing on trade tensions and questions surrounding major technology platforms, including regulation and potential deals. Turkey and Egypt announced a joint naval drill after a 13-year gap, signaling continued coordination in regional security matters.

Humanitarian concerns and related reporting also surface. Reports circulated that UNICEF trucks carrying baby formula were intercepted near the UNICEF compound in Gaza, highlighting ongoing access challenges for aid deliveries. In other developments, a British couple detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan were released after mediation by Qatar and are en route to Doha, marking a rare diplomatic success in a difficult region.

Domestically, security and defense planning in Israel continue to align with the need to prepare for evolving threats. Military briefings emphasize the importance of the Air Force’s leadership and readiness to confront potential future challenges, including the broader regional balance of power and the need to deter attacks across multiple theaters.

As the day unfolds, observers will watch how these threads interact: Iran’s negotiations and its expectations of European partners; the Palestinian state recognition debate and its potential political repercussions in Israel and abroad; ongoing security operations in the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon; and the shifting posture of regional actors from Ankara to Paris to London. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as events warrant.

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.

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