HEADLINES
Israel strikes Radwan logistics element
International force to separate Gaza border
West Bank olive harvest violence escalates

The time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. Here is the latest news from the Middle East and related developments around the world, with the emphasis on security concerns, regional dynamics, and the broader context shaping international policy.

Lebanon and Israel: In the south, Lebanon’s security situation remains tense after an Israeli strike targeting what the army described as a Radwan Force logistics element. Lebanese sources report four people were killed when a vehicle was hit in the village of Raman in southern Lebanon, and Israeli military officials say the target was a Radwan command element tied to operational planning and to the rebuilding of militant infrastructure. The incident follows a spate of cross-border activity as Israel continues to press its campaign against Hezbollah’s military wing and to deter ceasefire violations along the border. The exact casualty count varies in reporting, but the broad takeaway is a continued effort to degrade Hezbollah’s mobile and logistics capabilities in the border area.

Gaza and the broader ceasefire framework: Washington is moving toward an interim Gaza arrangement that would place a multinational force along a designated boundary to separate Israeli and Hamas forces. The plan envisions deployment first in humanitarian zones and then gradually toward the boundary line, with several states involved and a focus on maintaining order and enabling aid deliveries. Israel has signaled readiness to engage in border discussions, while several Arab states have expressed reservations about a force operating in Gaza under conditions that still allow Hamas to retain influence in the territory. In parallel, a drone-released video from US Central Command shows Hamas operatives stopping an aid truck and looting supplies near Khan Younis, an action condemned by US officials as undermining humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has echoed that Hamas bears responsibility for obstructing aid and for using aid as a bargaining element in negotiations tied to the Trump-era plan and future governance arrangements. Washington is pressing partners to contribute to an international stabilization effort, while recognizing the political and security sensitivities surrounding any permanent presence in Gaza.

US and international policy signals: The United States is coordinating a response that envisions a buffer force along the line of contact between Israeli and Hamas positions, with a mix of military and civilian units and a role for Palestinian security personnel trained abroad in certain zones. Discussions have emphasized the need to avoid direct confrontation with Hamas while increasing pressure on the group to relinquish governance and disarm. At the same time, American officials say several regional actors have expressed concerns about entering Gaza under the current conditions, and Turkey has been described by US officials as not being part of the core multinational effort. The plan is being framed as a critical component of stabilizing Gaza in the near term and advancing a broader set of discussions about governance and security in the Palestinian territories.

Iran and the nuclear issue: Iran remains in a divergent posture. Tehran’s foreign minister has rejected direct negotiations with the United States and asserted that Iran will not abandon its nuclear program. In related developments, last June Israel conducted strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, including Isfahan and Natanz, while US forces targeted those areas and the Fordo facility in separate operations. Iran’s position reinforces the stalemate around negotiations and the broader regional implications for regional security and allied policy in the Middle East.

Regional explosions and infrastructure concerns: A major explosion rocked Shiraz, Iran, in an industrial area involved in filling and producing liquefied gas cylinders. Firefighting and rescue services evacuated the area, and authorities reported a significant response from multiple fire stations. Officials described it as a severe incident in an industrial district that highlighted, once again, questions about infrastructure maintenance and safety, particularly in the context of broader economic pressures and sanctions on Iran. The incident underscores the fragility of critical facilities and the potential for cascading effects in a country already facing regional tensions.

West Bank violence and humanitarian context: In the West Bank, Palestinian communities reported a series of attacks tied to the olive harvest season, including arson against vehicles and property near Far’ata and Jaba, and assaults on harvesters in Burin. Palestinian health authorities note a high casualty toll since October 7, 2023, while Israeli security forces say the vast majority of fatalities were combatants or those involved in violent clashes or attacks. The Palestinian authority’s figures have been cited to reflect the humanitarian and safety challenges in daily life for Palestinians amid ongoing security operations and settlement-related tensions. In parallel, Israeli authorities report thousands of arrests of wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, with security concerns continuing to drive a cycle of violence and retaliation in the area.

Lebanon, US diplomacy, and regional realignment: The US ambassador to Syria and Turkey, Tom Barrack, commented on Lebanon during a regional forum, describing the country as a “failed state” and calling for a shift away from armed confrontation toward dialogue with Israel modeled on the Abraham Accords. Barrack emphasized that Hezbollah’s strength and its rocket arsenal complicate stabilization efforts in southern Lebanon and argued that disarming Hezbollah by force is not a realistic policy option for Lebanon. He urged regional normalization with Israel as part of a broader realignment in the region, noting changes in regional dynamics following recent developments in Gaza and the broader reorientation of Middle Eastern diplomacy. The remarks reflect ongoing US emphasis on engaging regional actors in a process that could reduce direct conflict and encourage constructive arrangements, while acknowledging the complexities of coercing non-state actors to disarm.

Israeli internal political developments and accountability questions: Within Israel, a high-profile dispute over the Sde Teiman case has unfolded. Justice Minister Yariv Levin has restricted Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara from participating in certain investigations and legal actions related to the leaked video and related proceedings, signaling a political struggle over the separation of powers and the handling of sensitive security materials. Critics argue the move threatens the rule of law and the independence of the attorney general’s office, while supporters say accountability must be sought through explicit channels. The controversy comes against a backdrop of broader debates about military discipline and transparency in the handling of investigations into security matters.

US domestic politics and international implications: In the United States, President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could consider military action inside Nigeria if the Nigerian government fails to address the ongoing persecution of Christians, while also signaling the suspension of US aid. The statement underscores how US security and humanitarian concerns in Africa intersect with domestic political dynamics and influence allied policy considerations, including how Washington weighs the use of force and aid in cases where religious discrimination is alleged.

New York politics and international dimensions: In New York, polls among Jewish voters suggest that support for local candidates could shift depending on election dynamics, with discussions around the broader implications of national and international issues on city politics. Separately, former President Barack Obama reportedly spoke with mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, expressing support and offering to serve as an adviser if Mamdani wins, signaling how national figures sometimes engage with municipal races and how such engagement can influence perceptions within the Jewish community and beyond. The broader national conversation around US policy toward Israel, Gaza, and Middle East diplomacy continues to intersect with local political trajectories.

Sudan and regional humanitarian concerns: Amid ongoing turmoil in Sudan, observers describe El-Fasher as an area of acute peril, with reports of families separated and civilians displaced as fighting and paramilitary activity continue. International observers describe the situation as “apocalyptic,” highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the risk of mass displacement and violence spreading beyond the city’s borders.

In sum, the region remains in a state of heightened tension and shifting diplomacy. Cross-border security actions, ongoing Gaza normalization discussions under a new interim framework, and the broader US effort to coordinate international and regional partners all shape a complex picture. At the same time, Iran’s stance on its nuclear program, regional incidents such as the Shiraz explosion, and domestic political dynamics in Israel and the United States all contribute to a volatile backdrop as policymakers weigh security, humanitarian needs, and prospects for diplomatic arrangements in the days ahead. This is the latest reporting for this hour.

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