HEADLINES
Netanyahu defense threat to withdraw over hearings
UK to supply 20 Typhoons to Turkey
Hamas remains exchange drives Gaza ceasefire talks

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is your 2:00 PM update. In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s defense team has warned they may withdraw from representing the prime minister if the court does not reduce the weekly pace of hearings. Court officials have set four hearings per week, with Netanyahu expected to testify in three of them, a schedule the defense argues is incompatible with their ability to provide effective representation amid ongoing security challenges for the country. The dispute centers on balancing the demands of a long running trial with the exigencies of wartime leadership, and it is not yet clear how the court will adjust the schedule.

In regional security developments, Turkey and Britain announced a deal for Britain to supply 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, a major element in Ankara’s plan to modernize its air power. The United Kingdom’s government described the agreement as a milestone, with first deliveries expected in 2030. Turkish defense officials indicated that Turkey intends to purchase a total of 44 Typhoon jets, with 20 from Britain and additional aircraft from regional partners. The moves come as Turkey seeks to bolster its military capabilities in a complex security environment that includes tense relations with Israel over the Gaza conflict and long-standing regional rivalries.

Back in Israel, political life continues to grapple with security pressures. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized the Education Ministry as part of a broader critique of educational gaps, while rival parties debate the balance between national service and political rights. In the Knesset, opposition leader Yair Lapid said his bloc would seek to revoke the voting rights of ultra-Orthodox Israelis who do not enlist, a proposal that has drawn sharp criticism from other lawmakers. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said his faction would press for a law imposing severe penalties on those who do not serve, raising questions about the trajectory of coalition policy on national service. The debate sits alongside a broader conversation about integrating yeshiva students into the army while preserving space for religious study, with a legislative process aimed at reforming conscription moving ahead in some form.

On the Gaza front, efforts to manage hostages and remains continue to frame conversations about any future ceasefire stage. Families of missing Israeli hostages pressed for a pause in the next phase of any Gaza ceasefire plan until Hamas returns the bodies of captives killed or held, noting that 13 remain unaccounted for out of the 48 initially listed. Egyptian rescuers have joined search efforts as the fight over the fate of the missing intensifies. Reports circulating late today suggested that Hamas could be prepared to return the body of another hostage by tonight, though other sources described ongoing logistical and diplomatic complexity around such a handover. The Red Cross has been involved in discussions about access and timing as negotiators weigh the next steps.

In Washington, US officials reiterated that certain Israeli actions in Gaza are viewed as self-defense within the framework of the ongoing ceasefire agreement and stressed that such actions are not seen as violations of the ceasefire. The discussions also touch on the broader questions of how to handle hostage recovery, international mediation roles, and the future structure of any enforcement or stabilization mechanisms in Gaza. Meanwhile, the US continues to monitor and respond to Palestinian Authority policies, including debates over funding practices and how such decisions influence perceptions of accountability and a potential path to broader regional peace.

Internationally, attention remains fixed on security alignments and future stabilization plans. In the Gulf and the Levant, regional leaders watch closely as discussions intensify about the balance between deterrence, diplomacy, and humanitarian considerations in Gaza. In Jordan, the king has delineated a line between peacekeeping and enforcing peace in the Gaza area, underscoring that keeping the peace requires careful, multilateral coordination rather than unilateral actions. This nuance reflects a broader regional recognition that stability will depend on coordinated approaches among Israel, Palestinian authorities, and international partners.

Economically, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange closed with a modest, mixed tone. The benchmark index rose slightly, led by strength in the banking and construction sectors, while other indices showed softer results. Among notable moves, several construction and real estate names posted gains, while some financial and insurance stocks pulled back modestly. Market observers attributed the mood to a combination of cautious optimism about global trade developments and continued, though uncertain, expectations for progress on the Gaza ceasefire and related security concerns at home.

In other security and humanitarian news, the Israeli military continues to assess and respond to developments around hostages and remains in Gaza, with reports indicating that the 99th Division conducted operations in northern Gaza that reportedly destroyed substantial sections of Hamas tunnels. Separately, the international humanitarian channel noted that the Red Cross and allied agencies remain in talks with all parties to facilitate the safe handling and transfer of hostages and remains, a process complicated by on-the-ground security realities and political calculations.

There were also human-interest and local safety items, including a mid-afternoon traffic incident in Dalit al-Karmel involving a 13-year-old boy who sustained moderate injuries and received medical care on scene before being transported to a hospital for treatment. In other health and safety updates across the region, authorities continue to monitor for incidents that could affect civilian life as security operations, search efforts, and aid deliveries unfold.

Looking ahead, the key questions remain how the Gaza ceasefire framework will advance, the timeline and conditions for any exchange or return of remains, and how domestic political pressures in Israel will shape policy and public support during this period of protracted conflict. International partners will likely continue to push for clarity on roles, timelines, and accountability, while national leaders balance security imperatives with ongoing humanitarian concerns and regional diplomacy. This is your 2:00 PM 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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