HEADLINES
Tel Arad Calendar Reveals Ancient Timekeeping
Hostages Return Amid Gaza War's Ongoing Toll
Kafer Kana Shooting Leaves 22-Year-Old Critical

The time is now 1:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the hourly news update. Here is the latest, presented in a steady, factual manner for an international audience.

In archaeology from the southern border of the former Kingdom of Judah, researchers have reexamined a collection of about one hundred inscribed pottery fragments from Tel Arad. They find evidence that Iron Age soldiers tracked time with a calendar system that would have divided a 360‑day year into twelve thirty‑day months and, within those months, a six‑day cycle for provisioning. The inscriptions, dating to the early sixth century BCE, reference months and days and even a regnal year, suggesting a structured administrative routine at a small outpost of twenty to thirty soldiers and multiple scribes. Experts emphasize that the lunar phase was used to mark the beginning and end of months, while days were counted from dawn to dusk in provisioning cycles. While this calendar framework may have supported practical administration, scholars caution that it did not replace the broader luni‑solar calendar used for religious and civil life. The find adds to a growing discussion about numeracy and timekeeping in ancient Judea and how calendars shaped military and state operations thousands of years ago. In the wider scholarly picture, some specialists propose a 360‑day administrative year that was used alongside other calendar systems, while others urge caution, noting fragmentary texts and the need for further corroboration.

Turning to the present-day conflict, the Gaza war and hostage crisis occupy the center of international attention. On day seven hundred thirty‑nine of the campaign, a group of hostages has returned home, and families of those still held express a mix of relief, gratitude, and ongoing anxiety. One freed captive described the experience as a test of endurance under harsh conditions, while relatives spoke of the long road back to daily life and the enduring hope that all remaining captives will be released. Government officials have highlighted ongoing support services for released captives and their families, including psychological and financial assistance, as part of the response to the human toll of captivity. In parallel, political figures have commented on the diplomacy surrounding the release. A prominent former president expressed that diplomacy can yield difficult, carefully timed results, while acknowledging that many relatives would have preferred an earlier outcome. Across the Atlantic, debate continues over the tone and implications of American commentary on the conflict. A prominent American official suggested that the use of the term genocide deserves careful consideration in context, illustrating how US rhetoric and policy are balancing solidarity with Israel’s security needs and concern for civilian welfare. The broader policy stance remains anchored in support for Israel’s security while encouraging humanitarian access and civilian protection, with ongoing diplomacy aimed at securing the return of all hostages and reducing civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip.

Regional security developments also include a criminal shooting in an Israeli town. A 22‑year‑old man was critically wounded in a street shooting in the Arab town of Kafer Kana near Nazareth. Police have opened a criminal investigation and are pursuing suspected assailants. At this early stage, authorities have not disclosed motives or identities, and officials emphasize that the incident appears to be criminal in nature rather than tied to the ongoing conflict. As investigators work to establish the circumstances, the episode underscores the multifaceted security concerns within Israeli society and the ongoing need for public safety and orderly conduct in communities across the country.

On the diplomatic front, observers note that American discourse around Israel continues to reflect a spectrum of views while reaffirming long‑standing security cooperation. In public remarks captured during a recent travel period, a former American president highlighted the importance of timely, principled diplomacy and the realities of political timelines in securing deals related to hostages and security arrangements. Though such statements generate debate at home, they sit against a backdrop of ongoing US efforts to support Israel’s right to defend itself while pressing for the protection of civilians and humanitarian access in Gaza. The broader international community remains engaged in urging safe passage for civilians, reliable aid deliveries, and a political horizon that could reduce violence and lead to a durable settlement.

Looking ahead, the hostage releases and security situation will continue to be a focal point for regional and international observers. Humanitarian planning for Gaza, including aid flows and civilian protections, remains essential as negotiations proceed. In Israel, the focus continues to be on security and stability for its citizens, while communities across the country monitor developments with vigilance and resilience. In the historical sense, the Tel Arad discoveries offer a reminder of how civilizations have long managed time and resources under pressure, connecting ancient administrative practice to today’s ongoing search for stable peace and security in the region.

This concludes the hourly update. Stay with us for continuing coverage 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
https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-did-biblical-judeans-track-time-trove-of-6th-century-bce-inscriptions-offers-clues/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1241345
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1241344
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-870385
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-870386
https://www.timesofisrael.com/freed-hostages-dad-of-course-we-wanted-him-back-earlier-but-govt-also-has-security-concerns/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1241343
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-870384
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1241341