HEADLINES
Hamas Lets Red Cross Seek Hostage Remains
Mossad Names Iran's IRGC Plot Architect
Bills Move to Delay Netanyahu Trial

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. This is the ten o’clock news update.

European opposition movements are threatening Israel’s ability to resume hosting international soccer events, with several European football associations and member nations signaling they will not travel to Israel even as fighting has ended and organizers endeavor to restore regular competition. The episode underscores how security and political considerations continue to shape international sports and Israel’s standing on the world stage.

In Gaza, a rare development is unfolding as Hamas operatives are permitting Red Cross teams to operate in Israeli Defense Forces controlled areas to locate the remains of hostages. Searches are reportedly taking place in Rafah and Khan Younis, with Gaza City next in line. Hamas says it has identified the location of Hadar Goldin, while Israeli officials say some bodies may lie behind the Yellow Line, an area still subject to Israeli control. Egyptian search teams and Red Cross personnel are part of the operation, and the Red Cross asserts its role as a neutral intermediary in accordance with the ceasefire arrangement. In parallel, Israel is conducting its own searches for missing hostages’ bodies in the zones it controls, with intelligence assessments guiding the effort. Footage circulating from the Rafah crossing shows emergency teams and engineering assets moving into the Gaza Strip as part of the broader search.

Ireland’s new president, Catherine Connolly, has drawn sharp criticism for past remarks labeling Israel a terrorist state and defending Hamas as part of Palestinian society, a controversy that continues to color Ireland’s relationship with the Middle East and the broader international discussion on the conflict.

In Britain, two men linked to Russia’s Wagner Group were charged under the country’s National Security Act for arson and a terror plot, reflecting ongoing concerns about foreign influence and extremist activity on European soil.

Israel’s political landscape remains tense as a senior figure associated with the leadership of Israel’s prime minister and his government weighs in on domestic disputes that have potential implications for regional diplomacy. A former minister described how a prominent cabinet member’s camel remark provoked a strong reaction from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling how sensitive language and symbolism can influence regional negotiation dynamics, including any prospects for normalization with Saudi Arabia.

Culturally, the divide over Israel persists in the arts world. Radiohead’s frontman Thom Yorke said he would not perform near what he called “the Netanyahu regime,” while guitarist Jonny Greenwood defended collaborations with Israeli artists and rejected calls for cultural boycotts. The exchange highlights how political divides cross into creative communities and shape public perception in international audiences.

On the ground in Gaza, the family of Alon Ohel—who was held hostage for 738 days before returning home—announced a nationwide fundraising effort to support his rehabilitation and recovery, reminding listeners of the human toll behind the headlines and the ongoing process of healing for captives and their families.

Austria’s leadership has also weighed in on the broader peace process, with Chancellor Christian Stocker rejecting calls to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. He argued against excluding Israel, citing Austria’s historical responsibilities.

In a development that broadens the regional security conversation, Israel’s Mossad identified Sardar Ammar of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a senior architect of a global network aimed at facilitating plots against Jewish and Israeli targets. The network is said to have operated in several countries, including Greece, Australia, and Germany, employing arson, surveillance, and proxies to advance Iran’s aims while maintaining a veil of deniability. The disclosure follows a broader pattern of Iranian efforts to project power abroad, prompting diplomatic responses in multiple capitals.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back against assertions that a foreign power or its allies dictate Israel’s security policy, stating that Israel is a sovereign state that makes its own strategic choices about partnerships and defense.

Back at home, ministers are preparing to advance legislation that could alter the timing of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trial and potentially affect the political trajectory of other leaders. One measure would give lawmakers the ability to suspend legal proceedings against a prime minister or cabinet minister after an indictment, a proposal criticized by the attorney general as unconstitutional and potentially harmful to equality before the law and the independence of the judiciary. A separate bill would impose financial accountability on new political parties founded by leaders whose previous parties dissolved within the last seven years, a move viewed by some as targeting former prime minister Naftali Bennett’s new Bennett twenty twenty six list. Critics warn such measures could undermine the rule of law and political competition, while supporters argue they address longstanding concerns about party debts and political reform.

On the roadways, residents were reminded of routine safety concerns as a fatal pedestrian collision on Highway two near the Ya’naï interchange claimed a young life, and a toddler in Makiivela remained in serious condition after a fall from a height. Emergency crews responded promptly, emphasizing the ongoing need for vigilance in everyday life even as headline events dominate the public imagination.

In related developments, Israel continues its operational tempo in Gaza, with Egyptian heavy machinery and international observers tracking movements as part of the broader effort to locate missing hostages’ remains. The exchange of information and cooperation continues to be shaped by the ceasefire framework, as the region watches for the next steps in hostage recoveries and the broader political- security calculus.

Looking ahead, the international community remains attentive to the balance between humanitarian access, security considerations, and political brinkmanship. As negotiations, diplomacy, and legal debates unfold, the overarching question remains how Israel will secure its people while navigating a landscape in which foreign diplomacy, internal politics, and global public opinion intersect in complex ways. This is the ten o’clock update.

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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