HEADLINES
- Ceasefire holds as hostage handover advances
- Gaza rebuilding costs rise to seventy billion
- Louisiana indicts Hamas operative over Oct 7

The time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is your hourly update on the Middle East, with emphasis on Israeli security concerns and the broader international dimensions shaping the crisis.

The ceasefire in Gaza remains in effect as negotiators press forward with the first phase of a 20-point plan intended to end the war. Mediators from the Red Cross reported the handover of a coffin containing an Israeli hostage’s remains to Israeli authorities for transfer to the mainland for identification and forensic processing. Hamas, for its part, said it had located another fallen hostage in Gaza, a claim that will be evaluated as the handover process continues. As of Friday evening, officials say 19 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, with the broader framework of the deal aiming to secure their return in stages alongside the release of Palestinian prisoners.

On the ground in Gaza, the humanitarian and security situation remains precarious. In the wake of the ceasefire, thousands of worshippers gathered for mass prayers at mosques damaged or partially intact across the Strip, underscoring a complex return to normal life in a landscape still defined by displacement and destruction. The Gaza health ministry, run by Hamas, has reported a toll well over 67,000 dead since the conflict began, a figure reflecting civilians and combatants within the Strip. Israeli officials dispute that count, placing the number of combatants killed at more than 22,000, with a substantial number of terrorists killed inside Israel. Officials caution that civilian-to-combatant ratios remain a central point of contention in assessments of the war’s impact.

Israel’s security posture remains tightly focused on the threat landscape and the ongoing effort to separate military targets from civilian areas. The Israeli military reports continuing operations against militants emerging from tunnels and other launch points along the Gaza border, consistent with the terms of the ceasefire and the need to prevent renewed hostilities. In parallel, internal security considerations remain high as senior Hamas figures who survived the war reassert influence behind the scenes. Analysts note that while violence has diminished in open combat zones, the organizational resilience of Hamas’s security and political machinery is designed to sustain control should hostilities resume. The day after the war’s principal fighting, questions persist about who will lead Gaza’s governance and how external forces might shape the postwar order.

In broader international diplomacy, Europe is intensifying its push to safeguard regional stability and the prospect of a Palestinian state. The European External Action Service is proposing new diplomatic channels to pressure Washington to ensure that any ceasefire framework does not undermine the viability of a Palestinian state led by the Palestinian Authority. Separately, reconstruction plans for Gaza remain a cornerstone of international consideration. The World Bank, in cooperation with the United Nations and the European Union, has been revising its cost estimates for Gaza’s rebuilding needs, with an interim figure rising to around 70 billion dollars after earlier projections exceeding 50 billion. Those figures underscore the scale of the challenge facing a postconflict environment, as international donors weigh conditions and governance requirements.

Within Israel, debate continues over how to frame the conflict’s name and legacy. A cabinet discussion is underway about renaming the Gaza war to “War of Revival,” a move critics say could be aimed at reframing accountability for the events of October 7 and shifting emphasis away from prewar warnings and intelligence failures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have championed the proposed title, while opposition figures argue that the priority should be addressing hostages and ensuring accountability for the war’s origins. The discussion comes amid public commentary from families and security historians who emphasize the need to confront responsibilities while continuing toward a durable ceasefire and a stable regional environment.

In political and security developments beyond Gaza, a notable case in the United States involves a Louisiana federal indictment charging Mahmoud Amin Yaqub al-Muhtadi with participation in the October 7 attacks and visa fraud. The indictment depicts him as part of a Gaza-based armed cell linked to Hamas, accused of organizing squads that infiltrated southern Israel on the day of the assault. The case illustrates how the broader conflict reverberates beyond the region, touching security measures and legal proceedings in the United States.

Turning to public opinion in the United States, a new Associated Press-NORC poll finds a nuanced picture of how Americans view the Gaza ceasefire and President Trump’s role in brokering the agreement. While a growing share of adults approves of Trump’s handling of the Gaza conflict, perceptions of his performance on domestic issues—such as the economy, health care, and immigration—remain mixed or negative for many. The poll captures a nation focused on both the international episode and pressing domestic concerns, including the ongoing government funding debate and the health and economic challenges facing voters.

Finally, the on-the-ground human dimension continues to resonate across the Gaza Strip. In Jerusalem, ordinary Israelis and Palestinians alike reflect on the fragile pace of normalization and the long road to recovery after the conflict’s most intense phase. Stories from families, medics, and frontline workers highlight the enduring trauma and the imperative of preserving humanitarian safeguards as negotiations proceed and a new governance framework begins to take shape.

We will continue to monitor the ceasefire’s durability, hostage exchanges and recoveries, international diplomacy on Palestinian statehood, and the evolving political landscape inside Israel as this story unfolds.

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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