Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-22 at 00:09
Update: 2025-09-22
Description
HEADLINES
Iran fires new ICBM as standoff escalates
Syria's al-Sharaa attends UN first since 1967
France pushes UN-led Gaza force disarm Hamas
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
The region remains in a state of fragile equilibrium as the hour progresses. Iran’s posture this week underscores the persistence of a high-stakes standoff with Israel, even as diplomatic maneuvers unfold elsewhere. Iran reportedly test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile, with accompanying public diplomacy such as a foreign minister’s appearance at the United Nations, signaling defiance amid ongoing regional tensions. In Washington, allied diplomacy continues to grapple with how to steer the conflict away from broader confrontation, even as Tehran presses its regional influence.
In a development that colors the wider conflict, Syria’s leadership landscape continues to shift in the shadow of decades of conflict. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in New York to attend United Nations General Assembly meetings, marking the first time a Syrian president has participated in UN proceedings since 1967. Sharaa’s appearance reflects the ongoing reassembly of Syria’s regional alignments and the way Damascus seeks to leverage international forums to gain legitimacy after years of war.
On the diplomatic front in Europe and the Middle East, France has advanced a bold proposal to create an international stabilization force for Gaza aimed at gradually disarming Hamas after the fighting ends. A draft obtained by The Times of Israel envisions a UN-mandated or regionally led mission with a mandate to deter violence, support the transfer of internal security responsibilities to a Palestinian Authority, and facilitate humanitarian access. The plan names Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as preferred participants, and underscores the possibility of deployment before a formal end to the war, conditioned on a ceasefire. Paris is seeking to align Arab partners with a pathway toward a two-state solution, while pushing for a framework that could be endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Israel’s concerns about sovereignty and the role of a Palestinian security force remain a central hurdle, with Paris signaling that Israel would be consulted in the process.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian question remains unsettled in political and public life. Hamas welcomed recent moves toward Palestinian state recognition by some governments, calling the step a deserved outcome of its struggle and arguing that it could push Western countries to re-evaluate their approach to Israel. In Gaza, the military front remains active on the ground as the IDF intensifies operations in the city core. The group has released statements signaling a willingness to assert its authority, including the reported execution of three men alleged to have spied for Israel in Gaza City, an act met with mixed international reaction. The fate of hostages and other civilians captured during the fighting continues to loom over every tactical development, with authorities warning that the humanitarian situation remains precarious.
In parallel, new voices within Gaza have emerged. A deputy head of the Abu Shabab anti-Hamas resistance faction circulated a message on social media offering Rosh Hashanah wishes to Jewish communities, illustrating the growing complexity of local alignments and the ongoing pressure from anti-Hamas currents within Gaza itself. The broader regional picture also includes the ongoing political and security consequences of Palestinian state recognition moves abroad, which Israeli officials say could provoke a range of responses inside and outside the West Bank and Gaza.
Looking beyond Gaza, the war’s regional footprint continues to draw in external players and to test traditional alignments. A draft French plan emphasizes a two-phased approach: an initial stabilization mission aimed at immediate protection of civilians and disarmament of Hamas, followed by a longer-term capacity-building phase for a future Palestinian state. The plan calls for a multinational force to operate under UN principles, with Gulf states funding through a dedicated trust fund. Paris argues that such a mission would require careful coordination with Israel and would ultimately aim to prevent a wider civil conflict, though its feasibility depends on broad international consensus and US backing.
On the American side, the United States remains closely involved in regional diplomacy. Reports describe Washington’s enduring emphasis on security for Israel and a cautious approach to any path that could undermine Israel’s safety or alter the security calculus in Gaza and the surrounding area. In related threads, attention has focused on how US policy interacts with regional diplomacy, including tentative signals from the administration about peace through strength and the tight alignment with Israel in shaping any multilateral stabilization efforts.
Domestic developments in Israel continue to unfold at a rapid pace. A major public gathering marked the eve of Rosh Hashanah at the Western Wall, drawing tens of thousands to the site as part of the Slichot prayers, with large crowds and extended attendance across this period. Separately, authorities reported an incident in Ness Ziona in which a 21-year-old was wounded in a violent encounter, prompting urgent medical response and transport to a hospital. These domestic events occur against the backdrop of ongoing security concerns and a political environment shaped by Israel’s security posture and its relationships with neighbors and international partners.
In the broader geopolitical frame, other stories from the region and beyond touch on the shifting sands of diplomacy. North Korea’s leadership signaled a potential path back to dialogue with the United States if Washington drops its insistence on complete denuclearization, reflecting a familiar pattern of opportunistic diplomacy and the enduring echo of past encounters with former US President Donald Trump. In Afghanistan, reports indicate that the Taliban rejected a US demand to return the Bagram Air Base, citing Afghanistan’s sovereignty under the Doha Agreement, a reminder of the fragility of security arrangements in that theater. And in the domestic US political sphere, President Trump’s diplomacy and rhetoric continue to shape—indirectly—the way foreign policy decisions are framed in allied capitals, with regional allies watching closely for how a change in administration might affect long-standing security partnerships.
As the hour passes, observers remain wary of a rapid shift in the calculus governing Israel, its neighbors, and the broader Middle East. The region’s future will hinge on the balance between hard security measures and vulnerable, yet potentially consequential, diplomatic openings. The world watches as missiles, diplomatic missions, and battlefield advances all press forward, and as the Palestinian question and Gaza’s fate intertwine with broader regional ambitions and external powers’ strategic interests. This is a moment that demands steady reporting, careful verification, and clear-eyed analysis about what steps might lead toward lasting stability or, alternatively, renewed confrontation.
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/american-politics/article-868319
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868317
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-868314
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-868310
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1235166
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1235164
https://www.timesofisrael.com/french-proposal-envisions-multi-national-force-tasked-with-gradually-disarming-hamas/
https://www.jpost.com/influencers-25/article-868308
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/sharaa-become-first-syrian-leader-attend-un-meetings-1967_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
<a href="https://www.maariv.co.il
Iran fires new ICBM as standoff escalates
Syria's al-Sharaa attends UN first since 1967
France pushes UN-led Gaza force disarm Hamas
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
The region remains in a state of fragile equilibrium as the hour progresses. Iran’s posture this week underscores the persistence of a high-stakes standoff with Israel, even as diplomatic maneuvers unfold elsewhere. Iran reportedly test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile, with accompanying public diplomacy such as a foreign minister’s appearance at the United Nations, signaling defiance amid ongoing regional tensions. In Washington, allied diplomacy continues to grapple with how to steer the conflict away from broader confrontation, even as Tehran presses its regional influence.
In a development that colors the wider conflict, Syria’s leadership landscape continues to shift in the shadow of decades of conflict. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in New York to attend United Nations General Assembly meetings, marking the first time a Syrian president has participated in UN proceedings since 1967. Sharaa’s appearance reflects the ongoing reassembly of Syria’s regional alignments and the way Damascus seeks to leverage international forums to gain legitimacy after years of war.
On the diplomatic front in Europe and the Middle East, France has advanced a bold proposal to create an international stabilization force for Gaza aimed at gradually disarming Hamas after the fighting ends. A draft obtained by The Times of Israel envisions a UN-mandated or regionally led mission with a mandate to deter violence, support the transfer of internal security responsibilities to a Palestinian Authority, and facilitate humanitarian access. The plan names Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as preferred participants, and underscores the possibility of deployment before a formal end to the war, conditioned on a ceasefire. Paris is seeking to align Arab partners with a pathway toward a two-state solution, while pushing for a framework that could be endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Israel’s concerns about sovereignty and the role of a Palestinian security force remain a central hurdle, with Paris signaling that Israel would be consulted in the process.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian question remains unsettled in political and public life. Hamas welcomed recent moves toward Palestinian state recognition by some governments, calling the step a deserved outcome of its struggle and arguing that it could push Western countries to re-evaluate their approach to Israel. In Gaza, the military front remains active on the ground as the IDF intensifies operations in the city core. The group has released statements signaling a willingness to assert its authority, including the reported execution of three men alleged to have spied for Israel in Gaza City, an act met with mixed international reaction. The fate of hostages and other civilians captured during the fighting continues to loom over every tactical development, with authorities warning that the humanitarian situation remains precarious.
In parallel, new voices within Gaza have emerged. A deputy head of the Abu Shabab anti-Hamas resistance faction circulated a message on social media offering Rosh Hashanah wishes to Jewish communities, illustrating the growing complexity of local alignments and the ongoing pressure from anti-Hamas currents within Gaza itself. The broader regional picture also includes the ongoing political and security consequences of Palestinian state recognition moves abroad, which Israeli officials say could provoke a range of responses inside and outside the West Bank and Gaza.
Looking beyond Gaza, the war’s regional footprint continues to draw in external players and to test traditional alignments. A draft French plan emphasizes a two-phased approach: an initial stabilization mission aimed at immediate protection of civilians and disarmament of Hamas, followed by a longer-term capacity-building phase for a future Palestinian state. The plan calls for a multinational force to operate under UN principles, with Gulf states funding through a dedicated trust fund. Paris argues that such a mission would require careful coordination with Israel and would ultimately aim to prevent a wider civil conflict, though its feasibility depends on broad international consensus and US backing.
On the American side, the United States remains closely involved in regional diplomacy. Reports describe Washington’s enduring emphasis on security for Israel and a cautious approach to any path that could undermine Israel’s safety or alter the security calculus in Gaza and the surrounding area. In related threads, attention has focused on how US policy interacts with regional diplomacy, including tentative signals from the administration about peace through strength and the tight alignment with Israel in shaping any multilateral stabilization efforts.
Domestic developments in Israel continue to unfold at a rapid pace. A major public gathering marked the eve of Rosh Hashanah at the Western Wall, drawing tens of thousands to the site as part of the Slichot prayers, with large crowds and extended attendance across this period. Separately, authorities reported an incident in Ness Ziona in which a 21-year-old was wounded in a violent encounter, prompting urgent medical response and transport to a hospital. These domestic events occur against the backdrop of ongoing security concerns and a political environment shaped by Israel’s security posture and its relationships with neighbors and international partners.
In the broader geopolitical frame, other stories from the region and beyond touch on the shifting sands of diplomacy. North Korea’s leadership signaled a potential path back to dialogue with the United States if Washington drops its insistence on complete denuclearization, reflecting a familiar pattern of opportunistic diplomacy and the enduring echo of past encounters with former US President Donald Trump. In Afghanistan, reports indicate that the Taliban rejected a US demand to return the Bagram Air Base, citing Afghanistan’s sovereignty under the Doha Agreement, a reminder of the fragility of security arrangements in that theater. And in the domestic US political sphere, President Trump’s diplomacy and rhetoric continue to shape—indirectly—the way foreign policy decisions are framed in allied capitals, with regional allies watching closely for how a change in administration might affect long-standing security partnerships.
As the hour passes, observers remain wary of a rapid shift in the calculus governing Israel, its neighbors, and the broader Middle East. The region’s future will hinge on the balance between hard security measures and vulnerable, yet potentially consequential, diplomatic openings. The world watches as missiles, diplomatic missions, and battlefield advances all press forward, and as the Palestinian question and Gaza’s fate intertwine with broader regional ambitions and external powers’ strategic interests. This is a moment that demands steady reporting, careful verification, and clear-eyed analysis about what steps might lead toward lasting stability or, alternatively, renewed confrontation.
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/american-politics/article-868319
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868317
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-868314
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-868310
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1235166
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1235164
https://www.timesofisrael.com/french-proposal-envisions-multi-national-force-tasked-with-gradually-disarming-hamas/
https://www.jpost.com/influencers-25/article-868308
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/sharaa-become-first-syrian-leader-attend-un-meetings-1967_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
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