HEADLINES
Phase One Gaza Deal Near Hostages Release
Israel Preps For Returning Gaza Hostages
Spain Imposes Arms Embargo On Israel

The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the three o’clock news update. There is a cautious sense of momentum around indirect talks in Egypt aimed at ending the Gaza War, even as gaps remain that could stall a final agreement. The negotiating framework centers on a Phase One deal that would see the release of living hostages in Gaza and a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces, with discussions also touching on the broader questions of prisoner exchanges and the shape of any disengagement. There is optimism among some Israeli officials and mediators that a formal accord could be declared within the next twenty four to thirty six hours, though others warn that the distance between the Trump peace plan and the demands of Hamas remains. In the most recent reporting, the United States has signaled support for the path laid out in the Trump plan, with Kushner and Steve Witkoff joining mediators in Egypt as negotiations intensify. At the same time, senior Israeli figures say the final terms must be precise and that there will be no concessions on securing the return of hostages and ensuring security on the ground.

Preparations in Israel reflect the seriousness of the moment. At the Re’im military base near the Gaza border, officers are readying for the possible arrival and reception of hostages being released as part of the deal. Inside the country, hospitals across the nation are standing by to treat those who may be returned, including facilities that have previously managed complex cases from past exchanges. In parallel, security and defense planners are reviewing procedures to ensure orderly reunions for families and to manage post-release medical and psychological care.

On the security front, Israeli forces report continuing efforts to prevent violence outside the usual fronts. In recent days, Hamas operatives have attempted to mount assaults against Israeli positions along the southern outskirts of Gaza City, with several gunmen killed in confrontations and air force action. The military says there are still active efforts among Hamas teams to threaten installations and seize soldiers to influence negotiations. The Israeli authorities say they are prepared to respond decisively to any attempt to disrupt or derail a potential ceasefire.

Beyond Gaza, regional dynamics remain central to the path forward. In a broader international context, Spain’s parliament has approved a law imposing an arms embargo on Israel, a step taken in response to the Gaza conflict that constrains Madrid’s weapons trade with Jerusalem. The effect, critics say, is to pressure Israel at a moment when international attention is focused on the prospects for a durable ceasefire. Separately, in the United States, California has enacted a new antisemitism law designed to confront hate in all its forms, a measure Governor Gavin Newsom calls a necessary action to protect communities and uphold democratic values at home.

In the broader region, there is growing attention to the role of external actors in shaping the conflict’s trajectory. Turkey continues to engage as a mediator, leveraging its long-standing ties to Hamas to push for a swift resolution and to support the mediation effort in Egypt. Turkish officials have indicated that there is interest in a rapid conclusion to the talks and in shaping the terms of any eventual ceasefire in a manner compatible with broader regional stability. Israel’s leadership has noted that while Turkey can play a constructive role, it will be necessary to ensure that any agreement preserves Israel’s security requirements and does not compromise the ability to prevent future attacks.

There is also continued reporting on American policy and rhetoric around the talks. The White House says President Donald Trump does not plan to travel to the Middle East in the near term to supervise or oversee the signing of any agreement, a detail that underscores a hands-off posture for Washington while still emphasizing influence through diplomacy and allied coordination. In parallel, discussions around the terms of the peace process continue, with some observers noting that the last-minute shifts in the Trump plan or Hamas’s demands could affect the timing or even the viability of any deal. In addition, regional media sources report that the status of hostages and the terms of any potential prisoner releases could be pivotal, and negotiators are reportedly pressing for written guarantees of ceasefire commitments to accompany the ceasefire framework.

There are related security challenges that frame the negotiation’s urgency. Israeli authorities say they have intercepted or disrupted smuggling efforts believed to originate from Iran and directed toward latent or active cells in Judea and Samaria, signaling ongoing efforts to widen violence if broader negotiations fail. The seizure of sizable illicit arms shipments underscores the persistent risk of escalation tied to Iran’s influence in the region and the potential for violence to spill beyond the immediate Gaza context. These developments reinforce the view in Jerusalem that any pause in fighting must be matched by a credible plan to curb Iranian proxies and to ensure that peaceful terms are secure enough to withstand external pressures.

On multiple fronts, observers note a sense that the best path to stability lies in a disciplined, enforceable ceasefire linked to structured steps: verified hostage releases, a clearly defined security withdrawal or reconfiguration, and robust international monitoring to ensure compliance. That course, if pursued with resolve, could reduce civilian suffering, allow humanitarian aid to flow more freely, and create space for political accommodations that some officials believe could eventually lead to a broader regional balance.

Looking ahead, signals from all sides suggest a moment of heightened sensitivity. The parties are watching for concrete actions that correspond to words spoken in Cairo and Sharm el Sheikh, with mediators seeking a reliable sequence of steps that can be verified and sustained. The views and aims of outside actors—principally the United States, Turkey, and European partners—will continue to influence the tempo and scope of any agreement, as will the demands of Hamas and the security considerations expressed by Israel.

In summary, the situation remains fragile but focused on a potential pathway to ceasefire and hostage resolution in Gaza, framed by intense mediation and international attention. The next 24 to 36 hours could prove decisive, as negotiators weigh written guarantees, security arrangements, and the sequence of hostage releases against the backdrop of broader regional tensions and external pressures. This is a developing story with real consequences for civilians on both sides, and we will continue to monitor events 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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