HEADLINES
IDF Soldier Chalachew Demalash Killed in Gaza
Syria Forms New Authority as Hezbollah Falters
Red Sea Maritime Traffic Threatened by Houthis

The time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. This is the hour’s update on the war and the wider security picture, with implications across the region and beyond. In Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces identified the soldier killed in combat as Staff Sergeant Chalachew Shimon Demalash, a 21-year-old from Be’er Sheva serving with the Nahal Brigade. He was killed while on guard duty in Gaza City, and the terrorist who fired at his position fled. The IDF says 912 soldiers have been killed since the war began.

Across the wider confrontation with Iran and its networks, an uneasy ceasefire remains but the risk of renewed escalation persists as diplomatic and military channels continue to work. In Syria, reports describe the emergence of a new governing authority following the departure of Bashar al-Assad, a development that shifts the regional balance and adds new dynamics to Iran’s influence in the area. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has faced significant setbacks in recent engagements with Israeli forces, and Lebanese authorities are pressing to limit or expel the group’s influence as part of broader security concerns.

In Gaza, Hamas’s organizational and operational capacity has been reduced by ongoing Israeli actions, but the group remains capable of mounting threats and it still holds hostages in Gaza, creating a persistent humanitarian and strategic challenge for Israel and its partners. In Yemen, Houthi forces continue attacks that threaten maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with broader implications for global trade and regional security.

Internationally, momentum at the United Nations persists as discussions continue over Iran’s nuclear program and regional behavior. France’s president has underscored that an agreement remains possible, but only if Iran meets clearly defined conditions, highlighting the international insistence on verifiable action. Spain has said it will dispatch vessels to assist the Sumud flotilla, stressing adherence to international law and the safety of its citizens navigating Mediterranean routes.

In Washington, the administration aligned with Israel’s security aims while stressing the need for a balanced approach to regional threats, reaffirming a policy of engaging with partners to deter Iran and support stability in the region. Back home in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated the country’s determination to secure the return of all hostages and to defeat Hamas, while signaling readiness to pursue a broader peace agenda in the wake of the war. He departed for talks in the United States and the United Nations with a message centered on security, resilience, and strategic opportunity for advancing peace through strength.

In a separate development in the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris faced protests during a book tour in New York, where she spoke of Gaza and urged voices of dissent within the Democratic coalition, reflecting the domestic divisions surrounding the war and its humanitarian impact.

There was also a notable regional aviation development: a FlyDubai flight carrying Israeli passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Riyadh after a medical emergency, with Saudi authorities coordinating emergency care in line with international aviation norms, underscoring an unusual instance of practical cooperation as broader diplomatic ties continue to evolve in the region.

Across the country, weather observers note a recent spell of rain in northern areas, with measurable amounts reported in the western Galilee and upper Galilee, and forecasters caution that the showers, while brief, could intensify briefly in the coming hours along the northern and central coasts.

That is the hour’s update. We will continue to monitor the developments here and bring you further details as events unfold.

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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