HEADLINES
Hamas violations threaten fragile Gaza ceasefire
Israel cuts 125m shekels from 2025 budget
Melissa hurricane pounds Jamaica heading for Cuba

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Today’s update at 5:00 PM looks at a continuing cycle of conflict, diplomacy, domestic decisions, and humanitarian concerns that shape the security landscape in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and allied partners. The pieces below reflect official statements, reported events, and operational decisions that audiences around the world will want to understand in context.

In Gaza, a day of intensified exchange followed a recent pattern: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City and other areas after incidents involving Israeli troops in Rafah and continuing delays in the return of remains of hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed immediate and forceful action in response to what Israel calls repeated violations of the ceasefire by Hamas, including attacks on soldiers. Israel’s Defense Ministry and military leadership emphasized that Hamas has violated commitments under the ceasefire and has not fulfilled obligations to return the bodies of hostages, warning of significant consequences if such behavior continues. Hamas publicly denied responsibility for the Rafah attack that sparked the latest round of strikes and asserted its commitment to the ceasefire, while accusing Israel of violated terms and of provocative actions that broaden the conflict. The Israeli side has also signaled readiness to expand territory under IDF control in Gaza as part of ongoing operations; mediators and Washington are watching closely as discussions about the next steps unfold.

Across the ceasefire corridor, the status of hostage remains and the handling of remains have remained points of contention. Hamas has asserted that it has exerted every effort to secure the return of bodies and has blamed Israel for delays in the process, arguing that Israel’s actions undermine the ceasefire. Israel has countered that Hamas knows where remains are located or is stalling by orchestrating staged or ceremonial recoveries in front of international observers, including the Red Cross. The International Committee of the Red Cross has issued formal statements stressing its role as a neutral mediator and underscoring that the recovery and handling of remains must be conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law, with dignity and confidentiality, and not as a tool for political signaling. The ICRC’s position was repeated after a widely circulated video raised questions about the way remains are recovered and presented to observers. The organization reaffirmed that it cannot participate in or facilitate the removal of corpses that are no longer alive and urged all parties to cooperate to return the dead and missing in a manner consistent with humanitarian standards.

On the diplomatic front, a senior US official described the ceasefire as holding, while acknowledging that minor clashes could occur as both sides continue to operate under intense pressure. The broader US policy stance remains one of backing a ceasefire framework and encouraging compliance with agreed terms, while pressing for progress on humanitarian access and the release or return of captives. There is also talk of coordinating US mediation in ways that preserve momentum toward a more stable arrangement, even as the situation on the ground remains volatile. In parallel, a prominent Republican voice in Congress reiterated support for Israel’s current military actions, arguing that Hamas cannot be allowed to regain strategic ground and that any transition away from military pressure would be premature. The broader US political dialogue continues to wrestle with how to balance security commitments with international diplomacy and humanitarian concerns.

Within Israel’s own political and legal landscape, the Knesset announced a 125 million shekel cut to the 2025 budget, directing savings to bolster national finances amid ongoing security and economic pressures. The reduction signals the government’s attempt to stabilize the economy while confronting the costs of sustained conflict. In parallel, a legislative committee and several voices are weighing a proposal to split the attorney-general’s role, a move that would restructure the balance between law enforcement and the judiciary. Observers caution that such reforms carry broad implications for governance, legal independence, and how political considerations might influence enforcement and policy interpretation. In the media and legal spheres, journalists filed a High Court petition challenging a rushed reform bill, signaling continued unease about how reforms could affect press freedom and the media environment in Israel.

Security developments outside Gaza also drew attention. In Jerusalem, Netanyahu’s trial hearing experienced an abrupt pause in the wake of new security developments linked to hostage remains, prompting a high-level security meeting. The halt underscored how domestic legal proceedings intersect with ongoing security operations and crisis-management decisions. In sports and civil society, a tense event surrounding a cup final in Haifa highlighted domestic tensions and the role of policing in public life: a police-displayed video that compared fans to violent rioters sparked protests from club leadership and opposition figures, who urged accountability and called the portrayal inflammatory. The event was accompanied by a large police deployment and several arrests, while the club’s leadership warned against demonizing supporters and urged restraint.

International and non-governmental voices continued to shape the narrative beyond immediate battlefield concerns. A new pro-Israel group described as Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ) presented itself as a platform to challenge anti-Zionist narratives seen as a threat to Jewish communities, reflecting a broader conversation about advocacy, rhetoric, and security in global discourse. A separate set of analyses from media observers and think-tank voices highlighted how major outlets cover volatile developments, with debate over how certain frames affect international perception of Israel and its policies. In the US political sphere, voices aligned with robust support for Israel’s security actions, even as some argued for careful calibration to avoid broader escalation.

On the battlefield front, reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza followed attacks on troops in Rafah, with authorities warning of consequences for continued hostilities. Hamas repeated denials of involvement in the Rafah incident in some accounts, while other figures asserted that the organization would bear responsibility if the situation deteriorates. The broader military calculus remains centered on returning or handling remaining hostages and remains, maintaining pressure on Hamas while preparing for possible future escalations if red lines are crossed or ceasefire terms are violated.

Humanitarian and humanitarian-law concerns featured prominently as well. The Red Cross and ICRC reiterated the need for careful, neutral handling of remains and emphasized that humanitarian obligations should not become tools in political signaling. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire for many civilians, with observers cautioning that even a fragile ceasefire requires continued attention to humanitarian corridors and aid delivery.

In other regional and global developments, the weather and disaster beat carried significant events: a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane—Melissa—pounded Jamaica, with warnings of widespread damage and disruptions as the storm moved toward Cuba. In unrelated but consequential news, Libyan authorities reported 18 migrant deaths and more than 90 rescues after a capsized boat off Tripoli, underscoring ongoing humanitarian crises beyond the Middle East. In Nepal, more than 100 Israeli trekkers were trapped by heavy snow in remote villages, triggering search and rescue operations that stretched into daylight due to risk and weather constraints. These stories highlight how crises in one region can influence global attention and resource allocation for humanitarian relief and safety operations.

Additional items in the public record included reports of a controversial media episode around a foreign journalist connected to Oct. 7 events, and a separate piece noting a veteran US politician’s stance on foreign policy and security in conjunction with broader international dynamics. Related analyses examined how US policy and international diplomacy interact with Israel’s security decisions and how media coverage can shape public understanding of those decisions.

As the day closes, the core takeaway is that the ceasefire remains in effect but fragile, with both sides signaling readiness to enforce or expand their positions depending on circumstances on the ground. The United States continues to coordinate with partners to preserve the ceasefire framework while pressing for progress on hostages and humanitarian access. Israel remains focused on security and deterrence, balancing urgent operational needs with domestic political and legal considerations. The humanitarian community emphasizes neutral, dignified handling of remains and adherence to international humanitarian law. World events—ranging from major storms in the Caribbean to migrant crises in North Africa and rescue operations in the Himalayas—also remind audiences that global stability depends on the ability of leaders and institutions to address crises with restraint, clarity, and a commitment to human life and dignity.

This concludes the 5:00 PM update. We will continue to provide ongoing coverage a