HEADLINES
US drones track Gaza ceasefire live
HRW urges UNRWA aid entry into Gaza
Hamas forms Cairo governing committee

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. Here is the latest hourly update on the changing security and diplomatic landscape in the Middle East and nearby regions, with context for international audiences.

The United States has begun flying surveillance drones over the Gaza Strip to monitor ceasefire compliance, with Israel’s consent. The missions form part of a broader effort to track ground activity and verify that both sides are honoring the agreement brokered earlier this month by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The surveillance is connected to a civil-military coordination center established in southern Israel by US Central Command, which is designed to monitor the ceasefire in real time and to help coordinate humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance. Officials emphasize that the goal is to reduce misperceptions and keep the ceasefire on track, even as ground realities in Gaza remain fragile and the broader exchange of hostages and remains can complicate the process. Israel has not disclosed the drone locations, and US officials have cautioned that the situation remains fluid, with ups and downs as both sides adjust to the terms of the accord.

The ceasefire arrangement continues to face strain from new episodes of violence and disputes over the exchange of bodies, underscoring how delicate the situation remains. In Washington, and among close allies, there is renewed emphasis on monitoring mechanisms and on urgent humanitarian access to Gaza. The US has sought to balance security concerns with international calls to facilitate relief, aid, and reconstruction. In this vein, the US civil-military coordination center is described as a hub for real-time monitoring and for coordinating the flow of humanitarian and security support into Gaza, even as questions linger about transparency and trust between the principal parties.

Human rights and aid access remain prominent points of discussion. Human Rights Watch has urged Israel’s allies to press Israel to allow immediate entry of UNRWA resources and humanitarian aid without bureaucratic obstacles, highlighting the need to ensure assistance reaches civilians in Gaza who have faced immense hardship. The humanitarian question remains central to the ceasefire’s viability; without reliable access to aid and services, pressure to uphold the truce could erode on the ground.

In the West Bank, settlers have carried out property damage in and around the village of al-Muqir, north-east of Ramallah, in a development that keeps tensions high in the broader regional picture. Such incidents, while separate from Gaza, contribute to a climate of volatility that complicates diplomacy and the calculus of regional security. Observers note that the humanitarian and safety needs of Palestinians in the West Bank continue to demand sustained international attention alongside efforts to manage the Gaza situation.

Hamas’s stance as the ceasefire enters its second week continues to be a focal point for mediators. In Cairo, Palestinian factions formed a temporary governing committee, signaling an attempt to present a unified front even as Western mediators urge inclusion of all major groups in the political process. Hamas has framed its participation in discussions as part of a broader strategy to influence mediation and to avoid being drawn into a broader regional conflict, while still signaling its intent to reassert operational influence in Gaza should the ceasefire prove brittle. The dynamics between Hamas, regional mediators, and international powers remain a central axis of the current diplomacy.

Looking eastward, a major regional development could reshape the security and economic landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean. In Northern Cyprus, the 2025 election produced a decisive victory for opposition leader Erhan Erhürman, who has signaled a renewed openness to renewed peace negotiations with the Greek Cypriots under a UN-brokered framework. Analysts say the result could alter regional balance and influence Israel’s energy diplomacy in the East Mediterranean. If negotiations resume and move toward a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation as proposed under UN parameters, the political space for collaboration on shared energy projects—such as cross-border gas exploration and electricity interconnections among Israel, Cyprus, and Greece—could widen. Turkey’s role remains a key variable, given its strategic interests and its influence over the Turkish Cypriot leadership in the north. A settlement would likely require careful balancing of Turkish security guarantees with Greek Cypriot sovereignty and EU member-state concerns. For Israel, any movement toward a more stable Cypriot narrative could facilitate regional energy cooperation and reduce friction over maritime and energy rights in the wider Eastern Mediterranean.

In the broader international sphere, US and allied diplomacy continues to emphasize the importance of accountability, humanitarian access, and security assistance that supports civilian protection while preserving Israel’s security needs. Domestic political dynamics in the United States—where lawmakers and communities are watching developments closely—underscore the ongoing priority given to Israel’s security and to efforts to prevent a relapse into broader violence. Across Israeli and Jewish communities worldwide, observers are watching for signs that the ceasefire can withstand renewed strains and that humanitarian relief can reach those in need without becoming politicized or delayed.

In sum, the current moment in Gaza continues to be defined by a careful balance: monitoring and verification through new US-led mechanisms, ongoing humanitarian concerns, and a diplomatic horizon that includes potential new opportunities for regional cooperation if negotiations advance in Cyprus and related channels. The coming days will test whether the ceasefire can hold under pressure and whether the regional environment can move toward greater stability, cooperation, and resilience for civilians on all sides. This has been your hourly briefing on the evolving situation.

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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