HEADLINES
Israel to Deport Sumud Flotilla Activists Europe
Gaza hospital for children closed amid operations
West Bank bulldozers push new settlement routes

The time is now 5:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. It is 5:00 a.m. local time, and here is your hourly update on the region and related developments.

Israel has announced it will deport to Europe a group of pro-Palestinian activists intercepted from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which has been attempting to reach Gaza with aid shipments. The flotilla, comprising about 45 vessels, began its voyage last month and drew international attention, including participation by prominent figures such as Greta Thunberg. Israel says the flotilla violated its maritime blockade and will proceed with deportations in an orderly process at a port in Europe. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire in the eyes of the United Nations, with famine warnings underscoring the urgent need for relief and safe passage for civilians.

In Gaza, a mother describes the emotional and medical crisis gripping the city as she fights to save her two-year-old daughter. Nancy Abu Matroud, who has already lost three children in the conflict, is seeking shelter and continued medical care for her young daughter Etra, who is undergoing cancer treatment. The hospital that served Gaza’s children has been shut down amid renewed Israeli operations, leaving families scrambling for options as time runs short for critical treatment.

West Bank developments add to the broader security and political calculus. Near Ramallah, bulldozers have moved in to reshape the landscape as Israeli authorities pushed ahead with construction and land changes that facilitate new settlement routes. The move comes as President Donald Trump has floated a plan to end the Gaza war and suggested a possible pathway to a Palestinian state, a proposal that has drawn strong reactions from communities on the ground and regional observers alike.

Foreign ministry officials note that members of the flotilla are en route to the port of Ashdod, where they are expected to begin deportation procedures to their home countries. The Israeli government emphasizes that these steps are taken in the context of enforcing the blockade and ensuring security, while critics warn of humanitarian consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire.

On the international stage, competition for leading roles at major global institutions continues. An Egyptian former minister is among the favorites to head the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, with a Congolese rival signaling that the outcome remains uncertain ahead of the general assembly’s decision next week in Uzbekistan. The outcome at UNESCO could influence cultural and educational diplomacy amid broader regional and global tensions.

That is your updated picture as of 5:00 a.m. local time: a complicated mix of security enforcement, humanitarian crisis, land use and settlement policy in the West Bank, and ongoing international diplomatic maneuvering that will shape the coming days.

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.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/2025/10/israel-deport-intercepted-gaza-flotilla-activists_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
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/2025/10/gaza-mother-clings-her-sick-daughter-after-losing-twin-babies-midst-war_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
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/2025/10/israeli-bulldozers-west-bank-carve-hopes-palestinian-state_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237921
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/2025/10/egyptian-congolese-contenders-vie-unesco-top-job_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__