HEADLINES
Manchester detentions deepen Yom Kippur synagogue attack
Hamas accepts core terms ceasefire in reach
Netherlands upholds F-35 export ban to Israel

The time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the hourly update. We begin with a quiet note on the uneasy darkness that still shrouds the region and the far-reaching ripples of every decision made tonight.

Three more suspects have been detained in Manchester in connection with the Yom Kippur synagogue attack. Police say a man and two women, all aged between 18 and the mid-40s, were held in the wake of the deadly assault. Authorities and investigators continue to piece together the motive and network behind the attack. Reports tied to the case note that the attacker’s family has drawn attention in recent days, including a social media post attributed to the attacker’s father praising Hamas’s actions on October 7th. Officials stressed that the investigation is active and ongoing.

Across the Atlantic, the United States is positioning a path toward a broader diplomatic settlement in the region. President Donald Trump said publicly that the effort to achieve peace in the Middle East is “very close,” and he framed the moment as a chance to bring hostages home to their families. Trump applauded Hamas’s stated willingness to engage with parts of his plan, while signaling that further negotiations would be needed to finalize arrangements. He underscored that some hostages may not return alive, a reality that has weighed heavily on families and mediators alike.

On the ground in Gaza and in the corridor of negotiations, Hamas presented a formal response to the Trump plan. Hamas indicated it would accept several core elements: ending the war, Israel’s withdrawal, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and a sustained international aid and recovery effort, with Hamas opposing the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. Yet it also warned that implementation would require careful field conditions and negotiations, and it signaled that disarmament could not proceed until the occupation ended. A senior Hamas figure described the response as accepting the main terms in principle, while insisting that the process must be negotiated in full. The Israeli side, including Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, signaled readiness to move toward the first stage of the plan immediately, with statements noting that Israel stands prepared to implement the initial phase of a withdrawal and hostage releases in coordination with mediators and allies.

Mediators in the region, including Qatar and Egypt, welcomed Hamas’s response and the potential for a pathway to end the conflict. They stressed the importance of maintaining humanitarian access and ensuring the safety of civilians. The Hostage Family Forum added its voice in support of a ceasefire and a prompt, safe return of hostages, urging Israel to engage in rapid negotiations to bring all captives home. In parallel, a broader regional dynamic drew continued attention: Qatar and Egypt are coordinating with the United States to finalize the terms and timing of a ceasefire and hostage-exchange framework, in what officials described as a sustained regional effort to prevent a relapse into wider fighting.

In Europe, the Netherlands faced a key legal moment tied to its aid for Israel’s war effort in Gaza. The country’s Supreme Court ruled that the court had overstepped its brief in challenging the government’s policy, and the government announced it would maintain its ban on exporting F-35 parts to Israel for the time being. The government underscored its commitment to the F-35 program and to broader security considerations with Israel’s allies, while acknowledging the urgency of the Gaza crisis and the need to reach a ceasefire. The court ruling previously put a six-week window on reconsidering the policy, but today’s action maintained the status quo amid a catastrophic situation in Gaza and ongoing debate over international humanitarian law and arms transfers.

In other developments, entertainment and culture intersect with the region’s tense atmosphere. A Saudi state-sponsored comedy show that featured a host of international acts drew criticism from Human Rights Watch and other voices for what was described as limited space for dissent and free expression. The event’s organizers defended the format as a cultural exchange while acknowledging the concerns raised by critics.

Closer to home, US public figures remain in the spotlight. Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to over four years in prison on charges related to arranging travel for male escorts to participate in sexual performances involving drugs, a ruling that drew attention well beyond entertainment circles and into broader discussions of accountability and law.

Back in Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu pressed forward with coordination regarding Trump’s plan, and his office issued a statement indicating readiness for immediate implementation of the plan’s first stage, including hostage releases, while acknowledging the need to align with the United States on the broader framework. This comes as Israel’s security and diplomatic posture remains in a period of intense scrutiny, with officials emphasizing that any steps must preserve Israeli security interests and advance the goal of ending the conflict in Gaza while protecting its people.

International observers, mediators, and allied governments continue to weigh the possibilities: a ceasefire that would hold under a framework similar to the American plan, the role of an international stabilization presence, the disarmament questions that Hamas has pressed, and the delicate balance of delivering humanitarian aid while ensuring security. The tone from Washington, Doha, and Cairo remains one of cautious optimism, tempered by the realities on the ground and the complexity of finalizing any agreement amid competing national interests and constituencies.

As night falls, the central question remains: can the parties translate a series of commitments into a durable, enforceable ceasefire that ends the war, releases hostages, preserves civilian protection, and preserves security for Israeli citizens? The next 24 to 72 hours could prove decisive as mediators seek to finalize a phased withdrawal, a verified hostage exchange, and the conditions that would allow aid to reach Gaza’s civilians. In the meantime, families waiting for news, lawmakers debating sovereignty and security, and ordinary people in affected communities continue to bear the cost of a conflict that shows no sign of immediate resolution.

This hour, the news is that diplomacy remains active, yet the landscape remains volatile. Leaders in Washington, Doha, and Cairo are coordinating closely with Jerusalem, and European partners are watching closely as legal and political frameworks intertwine with urgent humanitarian needs. We will continue to monitor developments and bring you the latest, including any updates on hostage releases, ceasefire negotiations, and the evolving legal and ethical considerations surrounding arms exports and regional security. Stay with us for further reporting 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.

SOURCES
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<a href="https://www.jpost.com/internatio