HEADLINES
Israel weighs West Bank local security role
Hamas may return bodies of hostages
Israel strikes Hezbollah sites across Lebanon

The time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Across the region, developments this hour underscore ongoing security concerns for Israel, shifting humanitarian logistics in Gaza, and global responses to the conflict’s wider spillover. In Israel and the occupied territories, the military is weighing changes to its footprint in the West Bank, with local security forces potentially taking on greater responsibility for settlements if a reduction proceeds. Israel has long argued that any reduction would need to be matched by strengthened local capacity and continued security coordination with national authorities to prevent violence and maintain stability.

In Washington, officials are considering a Gaza aid plan designed to replace the controversial emergency fund with a network of 12 to 16 humanitarian centers modeled after the IDF’s approach. The plan would rely on cooperation with international partners, including the Red Crescent and Samaritan’s Purse, and would require coordination between UN agencies and the US military as a framework for delivering aid in Gaza while addressing international concerns about aid governance and accountability.

Meanwhile, questions about security and espionage in the United States have been raised by prosecutors who allege a contractor sold US trade secrets to a Russian buyer for about $1.3 million, highlighting ongoing national security concerns linked to technology and intelligence sharing.

Across the region, the humanitarian and security picture remains intertwined with cross-border hostilities. Lebanese health authorities reported four fatalities in a series of Israeli airstrikes as part of operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The Israeli military said it struck a Hezbollah weapons depot in southern Lebanon and a training camp in the Beqaa Valley, as well as a Hezbollah site in the Hermel area in the northeast. The IDF said the strikes were part of operations against Hezbollah dignity and military capacity and to disrupt planned attacks against Israel.

In Gaza, discussions about hostages and subsequent negotiations continue to influence diplomacy. Israeli officials told visitors in Washington that Hamas can potentially return the bodies of at least ten of the thirteen hostages still held in Gaza, even as efforts persist to facilitate broader recoveries and the release of captives. This information comes as international actors seek to balance humanitarian access, military objectives, and prospects for release of hostages.

In other security and political developments, Pakistan moved to ban the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik party after deadly anti-Israel protests tied to Gaza dynamics, marking the party’s second ban in four years amid accusations of terrorism. This reflects a broader regional and international sensitivity to how Gaza-related events influence political movements and public security in the wider Muslim world.

Inside Israel, remarks by a far-left member of the Knesset drew attention to internal political discourse surrounding security leadership. Far Left MK Ofer Cassif criticized the new Shin Bet chief, Major-General (Reserve) David Zini, labeling him a “dangerous jihadist” who seeks “eternal war.” The exchange highlights the sharp political fault lines in Israel over national security policy and the handling of the ongoing conflict.

On the ground in the region, cross-border incidents continue to surface. A group described as Hamas terrorists breached the southern border and stole an IDF reservist’s all-terrain vehicle; owners later identified the vehicle in footage showing armed individuals in Gaza near a UN vehicle. Observers note such incidents underscore the persistent volatility at the border and the challenges of securing every corridor.

In domestic US policy developments linked to broader foreign affairs, the administration and lawmakers monitor the evolving international landscape as US and allied forces coordinate on Gaza-related humanitarian efforts, with attention to how such efforts interact with regional security dynamics and the protection of civilian populations.

There was other routine regional coverage of security alerts, including rocket sirens around Kibbutz Mefalsim that were later described by the IDF as the result of a false identification. In the political arena, New York City Mayor Eric Adams publicly endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a reflection on national security and coalition-building, linking domestic political debates to the broader discourse over security and alignment with Israel as a longstanding ally.

Finally, a separate incident in Tel Aviv involved a 31-year-old rider of a personal mobility device who sustained moderate injuries after being struck by a vehicle on their street. Medics transported the injured person to a local hospital for treatment.

These developments collectively illustrate a region where security considerations, humanitarian needs, and political rhetoric intersect, shaping decisions in capitals and on the ground as Israel, its partners, and its critics navigate a volatile and evolving landscape.

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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https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1244519