HEADLINES
US brokered Sharm ceasefire enables hostage releases
Trump promises 28 bodies and hostages returned
Elei Zahav infiltration triggers West Bank alerts

The time is now 8:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. Here is the hourly update on developments in Israel, Gaza, and the wider Middle East.

A US-brokered ceasefire announced in Sharm el-Sheikh is the framework guiding a pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas, with an accompanying plan for hostage releases and humanitarian relief. Israeli security officials describe the agreement as calibrated to sustain security while enabling aid to flow and civilians to be protected. The deal contemplates the release of a substantial number of Gazan detainees, though Israel has signaled it will not release individuals connected to the October 7 attacks that killed and wounded hundreds, and insists on screening to limit the release of operatives. Hamas and allied Palestinian factions have pressed for the freedom of high-profile leaders, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, a demand Israel has repeatedly resisted. The parties involved say they remain in contact through mediators as negotiations continue over who among Gaza’s prison population will be freed and under what conditions.

In Washington, President Donald Trump has reiterated optimism about the ceasefire’s durability and the hostage process. He stated that the hostages could be back by Monday and that some 28 bodies would be returned alongside living captives. He said he would travel to Egypt for a meeting with regional leaders and then address the Israeli Knesset upon returning. Trump described the agreement as a “great deal for Israel, but a great deal for everybody,” signaling a US view that peace through a focused and forceful settlement is achievable with the current framework and leadership. While Trump’s posture underscores a willingness to press for a strong, unified path to ending the war, officials caution that the road ahead remains fragile and depends on the respective parties abiding by their commitments.

Turning to the ground, authorities issued alerts after a suspected terrorist infiltration in Elei Zahav, a settlement in the northern West Bank, with residents instructed to shelter in protected areas as security agencies investigate the incident. The episode comes amid a broader uptick in tensions in the West Bank since Gaza’s war escalated and as Israel tightens security in vulnerable communities.

In the West Bank city of Beita, a clash between Israeli settlers and Palestinian olive harvesters and activists left dozens injured, including a number of journalists. An AFP photographer was injured during the incident, which the agency called an outrageous attack and condemned as part of an increasingly dangerous environment for reporters in the area. Palestinian authorities reported dozens of injuries in Beita and nearby villages, highlighting the persistent volatility that accompanies the broader conflict.

Humanitarian and reconstruction logistics continue to be discussed in parallel with security matters. Mediators have indicated that additional humanitarian aid and essential supplies—gas and other fuels among them—would begin to enter Gaza within the next 24 hours, and that steps are being taken to resume power supply to the enclave. The Rafah crossing is expected to reopen to civilians in both directions in the middle of the coming week, a development that would ease movement and aid distribution in Gaza as part of the broader ceasefire framework.

Palestinian factions have reiterated their position against any external guardianship over Gaza, stressing that governance remains an internal Palestinian matter even as they welcome regional and international participation in reconstruction. The parties say they remain committed to the hostage-release framework while maintaining sovereignty over Gaza.

Analysts caution that while the current framework signals a potential turning point, durable peace will require more than a pause in fighting. It will demand sustained political will from all sides, credible enforcement of commitments, and a path to address immediate humanitarian needs alongside long-term security and political considerations. The United States, under President Trump’s stated approach of peace through strength and strengthened cooperation with Israel, has signaled its intent to support a credible process that can reduce violence and create space for broader regional diplomacy.

As the situation evolves, residents and observers should expect continuous updates on ceasefire compliance, hostage releases, humanitarian deliveries, and the security environment in both Israel and the West Bank. The hour demands vigilance, clarity, and steadiness as all parties navigate a moment that could influence the trajectory of the conflict for months to come. This is the latest information available 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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