HEADLINES
Iran Nuclear Tension Pushes UNSC to Decide
Gaza Evacuations Reach 700000 Amid Hostage Talks
West Bank Crude Rocket Signals Ambush Risk

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the hourly news update. Tensions in the region remain unsettled as diplomacy seeks to steady a fragile ceasefire dynamic involving Israel and Iran. With Iran’s nuclear program at the center of international concern, the United Nations Security Council is set to revisit the dispute on Friday as China and Russia push a six month extension aimed at buying time for diplomacy. European powers have argued that Tehran has not fully cooperated, and new sanctions are slated to take effect at the end of the week. The broad aim across capitals is to curb escalation and prevent a wider confrontation that could redraw the regional balance of power.

In Gaza, the humanitarian picture continues to dominate the headlines as Israeli forces maintain pressure while attempting to limit civilian harm. Israeli authorities report that the evacuation of Gaza City has reached about seven hundred thousand civilians, with roughly three hundred thousand still in the area as fighting and displacement continue. The hostilities, and the effort to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, remain central to any long term resolution. In parallel, Washington says the United States will pursue peace through a plan that would address the security needs of Israel and the welfare of civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the return of hostages and a broader regional settlement.

On the ground in the broader conflict, observers note that Hamas’s ability to project power has been diminished since the beginning of the current war, even as the organization continues to hold hostages and to coordinate with its allies in Gaza. The hostage situation remains a key hinge point in negotiations and in the international push to end the fighting. Israel says its security forces will act to prevent terrorist activity and to protect civilians, while international mediators seek a mechanism for a durable ceasefire and a pathway to humanitarian relief.

In the broader regional arena, the United States is engaging with a wide circle of interlocutors. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump held discussions with leaders and officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan to map a way forward on Gaza and the wider Middle East. The president has said he had productive conversations about Gaza with the Israeli prime minister and, notably, asserted that Israel will not be allowed to annex the West Bank, signaling a clear stance in favor of keeping the Jordan River security framework intact while pursuing a negotiated outcome.

Across the Atlantic, President Emmanuel Macron of France has reiterated that Israel will not annex the West Bank, and he noted that there is shared understanding with the United States on avoiding unilateral moves that could imperil the Abraham Accords. Macron cautioned that should the Gaza situation persist, there could be consequences in Western policy toward Israel, including potential sanctions, and urged continued diplomatic engagement to secure a ceasefire and humanitarian relief.

In the United States’ discussions with partners and allies, there is continued emphasis on maintaining the military edge for Israel while pressing for a peace through strength approach. That stance is reflected in conversations around arms and defense cooperation, including talk of potential discussions with Turkey regarding defense equipment, with the Turkish president signaling openness to dialogue on security matters and to the possibility of easing restrictions on certain military sales if conditions on the ground allow.

In related security developments, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday that a crude rocket found in the West Bank is likely a hostile tactic intended to lure soldiers into an ambush as part of ongoing rocket-making activity in the area. The discovery underscores the persistent risk in the West Bank even as Israeli and Palestinian authorities work to manage the risk of renewed violence.

International humanitarian and reconstruction questions remain prominent. The head of the United Nations Palestinian relief agency underscored that the organization must be part of Gaza’s reconstruction, even as talks on a new peace framework move forward. The National Library of Israel has called on the public to contribute to Bearing Witness, an ongoing effort to document the October seventh era and its aftermath, highlighting the cultural and societal dimensions of the conflict even as fighting continues.

In the humanitarian corridor, the war’s toll continues to be felt inside Gaza and across the region. The focus remains on saving lives, restoring essential services, and opening a pathway for aid to reach those in need, while diplomacy attempts to translate ceasefire chatter into a durable, verifiable settlement that can withstand the pressures of a volatile regional landscape.

This update will continue to monitor the evolving dynamics: the status of the uneasy ceasefire with Iran, the shifting balance of Iran’s proxies and regional actors, the capacity of Hamas and the hostage situation in Gaza, the impact of Yemeni, Iraqi and Lebanese alignments, and the broader international response as United States, European partners and Middle Eastern allies navigate a path toward peace through strength. We’ll keep you posted on any new developments as they 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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