HEADLINES
Ceasefire framework advances in Gaza talks
66% Israelis back ending Gaza war
Babies in incubators amid Gaza assault

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

Good afternoon. This is your hourly update on the Gaza war and the broader regional picture, with the noise of diplomacy, diplomacy’s risks, and the frontline realities, all in clear terms.

A fragile, uneasy pause persists as Israel and Hamas face pressure from multiple directions. In Washington, discussions around a comprehensive framework to end the Gaza war have moved forward in recent days, with a White House briefing underscoring a plan that couples a ceasefire and hostage releases with a staged Israeli withdrawal and a broad reconstruction effort for Gaza. Israel’s prime minister and US advisers have described progress and remaining gaps as they seek a path that preserves Israel’s security while addressing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. At the same time, a key regional player has weighed in with a claim about leverage. Qatar reportedly says it can persuade Hamas to disarm as part of a broader deal, a claim that surfaces amid intense US-led efforts to reconcile security needs with political and humanitarian realities.

On the Israeli political front, there is a steady drumbeat of domestic debates about how to proceed. A recent poll shows 66 percent of Israelis think it is time to end the Gaza war and prioritize the hostage situation, a shift from last year’s figures, reflecting public pressure for resolution and accountability of leaders as the conflict continues to exact a heavy toll. Within the coalition and among opposition voices, there are signs of strains as leaders weigh the implications of any withdrawal or disarmament terms, and as external mediators press for arrangements that could sustain long-term security guarantees. In parallel, discussions inside the security establishment, and among political figures, continue about ensuring a durable security perimeter and the conditions under which any withdrawal would occur.

In Gaza, the battlefield has witnessed heavy fighting, with international concern over the humanitarian situation growing louder. The United Nations and other aid groups have highlighted the risk to vulnerable populations, including infants and patients in hospitals facing intensified shelling and ground operations. UNICEF and other agencies have called for evacuation and safe corridors to spare civilians, including babies in incubators in Gaza City exposed to the intensifying assault. The human cost remains severe, complicating any political settlement and adding urgency to the negotiations underway in Washington and elsewhere.

Turning to the regional and international dimension, a number of actions and incidents illustrate how the Gaza war is interconnected with broader security and diplomacy. In Europe, Spain has blocked US military arms shipments to Israel via Spanish bases, citing sovereignty concerns under a long-standing defense pact, a move that underscores the delicate balance allied partners must strike as they coordinate arms, logistics, and political signals. In the sailing lanes and shipping lanes, Yemen’s Houthi movement has continued to threaten Red Sea and Gulf of Aden traffic, launching missiles and drones at vessels and drawing in regional and global players. Maritime authorities, including the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, have warned ships to exercise caution after reports of attacks on at least one vessel, with subsequent assessments indicating a projectile strike and a ship on fire off Yemen’s coast. The Houthis have long argued their targets include vessels connected to Israel and the broader war effort, while Western-driven security initiatives seek to deter escalation.

The broader regional theater remains unsettled as well. In the Gulf and beyond, there are persistent tensions tied to Iran’s regional posture and its proxies. Iranian authorities and allied actors frequently frame the conflict in strategic terms, stressing deterrence while adversaries press for deterrence and disarmament terms to be included in any ceasefire. Reports from various outlets have noted Iran’s asserted stance on how security interests must be safeguarded, even as the international community weighs accountability mechanisms, sanctions, and diplomatic channels. In a related vein, Japan announced renewed sanctions among international measures imposed in response to perceived Iran-related threats, targeting assets and individuals in the Iranian sphere. The broader effort to curb Iranian influence and the funding of proxy networks continues to be a defining backdrop for negotiations and on-the-ground operations.

There are also domestic political signals in the United States connected to the Gaza situation. A notable figure publicly urging a hard line on Israel’s security posture emphasized that Israel should be permitted to complete its mission and safeguard its people. In parallel, a US envoy has prepared what is described as a Plan B to move a Gaza process forward in the absence of agreement on the main framework: a declaration that accepts most elements of the broader plan while opening talks on the remaining points to spur hostage releases and ease tensions. The aim, as described by observers, is to create momentum without closing off the possibility of negotiations if disagreements persist on the timing of hostages’ return and the depth of disarmament.

On the hostage front, the negotiations remain central. The US plan’s articulation envisions the hostages, both alive and deceased, being secured upfront as a prerequisite to certain concessions, a provision that has drawn mixed reactions from Hamas and its mediators. Arab states and Western partners have called for no annexation and a genuine two-state pathway in any sustainable settlement, while Israel maintains its insistence on a credible security framework, including a measurable disarmament and continued perimeter control to prevent a relapse into large-scale violence.

Humanitarian concerns and international development questions remain intertwined with security calculations. In Gaza, aid deliveries and reconstruction plans are tied to real-time security on the ground, with the Palestinian authorities, Egypt, and regional partners signaling a role in governance and post-conflict reconstruction. The proposed multinational administration for Gaza’s reconstruction, involving major regional actors, is intended to channel aid effectively while setting conditions designed to prevent a relapse into conflict. Yet the specifics of enforcement and the pace of withdrawal remain points of contention, and the practical realities of reconstruction under occupation or control of various actors remain a central hurdle in the discussions.

Also noteworthy is the logistical and strategic dimension of the conflict’s footprint. A number of incidents have highlighted the fragility of regional security: a large-scale incident near the White House on the eve of a critical meeting, a scene illustrating high-stakes diplomacy in real time; and ongoing incidents at sea and in the air that remind observers of how intertwined military posture, diplomacy, and economic interests are in the region. The shipping disruptions in the Red Sea and the Gulf, the threat of further attacks by maritime proxies, and the corresponding security advisories for commercial vessels all underscore how the Gaza war continues to ripple through international commerce, security corridors, and alliance politics.

In parallel, domestic reports in Israel touch on governance and accountability questions amid wartime pressures. Investigations and legal proceedings involving figures tied to the country’s political and security establishments illustrate the enduring challenge of maintaining public trust and the rule of law during a period of extended crisis. These developments are not isolated from the security calculus; they shape the environment in which leaders must operate, recalibrate political calculations, and influence how negotiators in Washington and elsewhere approach the terms of any ceasefire and post-conflict arrangements.

With the clock ticking and talks intensifying, the core questions remain clear: Can a durable, enforceable ceasefire be paired with a credible path to disarm Hamas and guarantee long-term security for Israel? Will hostages be released in a manner that builds confidence while satisfying security needs? And how will regional actors and international partners balance humanitarian imperatives with strategic objectives in a volatile theater where every concession can generate new pressures?

The situation remains fluid, and the next developments—whether a breakthrough in the 21-point framework, a formal endorsement by major regional players, or new incidents at sea or on land—will shape the trajectory in the days ahead. We will continue to monitor closely and report back with updates, background, and crucial context to keep listeners informed about the evolving landscape of this conflict and the broader security dynamics shaping it.

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/israel-news/article-869004
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869001
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