HEADLINES
Emotional reunions greet Gaza hostage release
EU monitors return to Rafah crossing
Indonesia plans historic Israel visit this week

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. It is seven o'clock. Here is your hourly update on the evolving ceasefire and the broader regional picture.

The United States brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, announced in Sharm el-Sheikh, aims to end the war in Gaza and lay the groundwork for a broader peace framework. As part of the agreement, hostages held by Hamas are to be released in two stages, with mediators coordinating the transfer through the Red Cross and Israeli authorities. Early reports described the first group as released and moved to safety, with reunions unfolding in Israeli cities including a widely seen moment of Einav Tsangauker embracing her son Matan Angrest after 738 days in captivity. The second stage is expected to follow in coming hours, with further handovers and a continuing effort to recover the remaining hostages. Medical and security officials have said the returnees appear to be in good condition, though the moment is deeply emotional for families on both sides.

On the battlefield and in diplomacy, Israel continues to emphasize its security needs while embracing the opportunity for a durable peace forged through strength. The United States under President Donald Trump has been described as the architect of the deal, working closely with Israel, Qatar, Egypt and other partners to translate battlefield gains into a sustainable settlement. In Jerusalem and Washington, officials stress that preserving Israeli security and ensuring the capture and return of hostages remains the top priority as negotiations proceed.

International monitors are returning to Rafah. The European Union says its civilian monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing, suspended for years, will resume on Wednesday as part of the ceasefire framework. The mission, which includes police colleagues from Italy, Spain and France, is intended to provide a neutral, third‑party presence at the critical crossing point and to support governance efforts connected to the ceasefire and the Palestinian Authority’s reform process. European leaders, including the union’s top diplomat and the commission president, have described the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement as a potential turning point toward peace.

Beyond the Gaza border, the international conversation remains active. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is reportedly planning a visit to Israel this week, marking a historic first for the country and signaling growing regional engagement. Chinese officials say Beijing is watching the situation closely and has urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to protect Chinese nationals and investments amid the border clashes that have raised alarm in the region. Russian commentary cautions that while the plan touches on Gaza, broader questions such as the status of a Palestinian state require fuller detail before they can be judged.

Domestically, Israel faces a busy political calendar. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is juggling ongoing legal proceedings with high‑level diplomacy; his testimony in a criminal case is planned for Wednesday after a request to delay was granted as diplomatic duties escalated. The hostage family communities have pressed for transparency and accountability, with several statements highlighting that the struggle to bring every captive home remains at the center of public life. In a separate development, a series of videos and statements from families and government spokespeople have kept the public attuned to every stage of this momentous exchange, including the staging of ceremonies that accompany the homecoming of freed hostages.

As the ceasefire holds, observers are watching for both the tactical balance on the ground and the strategic shift in the region. Israel, while celebrating the immediate gains of the rescue operations, receives the broader endorsement from Washington for a peace‑through‑strength approach that seeks security for its citizens and stability for the wider Middle East. The war’s end looks within reach, but the commitments attached to it — including the return of hostages, the reintegration of Gaza, and the reform of Palestinian governance — will require careful, continued collaboration among the United States, regional partners and Israeli leadership.

We will continue to monitor developments and bring you updates as this story evolves.

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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