HEADLINES
- Nabatieh strike kills four; Hezbollah operative targeted
- Interim Gaza framework: multinational force, humanitarian zones
- Remains not linked to any Israeli hostages

The time is now 1:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At this hour, a cross-border incident near Nabatieh in southern Lebanon is being reported as an Israeli strike that Lebanese authorities say killed four people and wounded three. Israeli defense sources indicated the target was an operative from Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, a unit long identified with the group’s top- tier capabilities. The strike comes after months of tense border activity and follows a ceasefire reached in late 2024 that required both sides to withdraw from much of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, continues to warn it will not relinquish its weapons as regional and international pressure mounts to disarm the group. Israeli authorities say the campaign against Hezbollah has degraded the organization’s capabilities since the ceasefire, but concerns about renewed fighting persist on both sides.

In Washington, negotiators and military planners are circulating an interim Gaza framework that would employ a multinational force to separate Hamas from Israel and to manage a buffer along a designated line to prevent direct clashes. The plan envisions humanitarian zones in the northern and southern Gaza Strip and a staged, limited Israeli withdrawal in certain areas to enable a transition in governance and security responsibilities. The proposal has encountered hesitations among potential participants, with several regional allies—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia and Azerbaijan—expressing reservations about entering Gaza under current conditions. Officials say Turkey’s role would be limited and primarily non-armed, a stance Israel has aligned against, while American officials emphasize that Israel retains veto power over the force’s national composition. The plan also contemplates Palestinian security units trained abroad and a broader role for international personnel in rebuilding and maintaining order in designated humanitarian zones and in the al-Mawasi district, a large enclave near the coast. The principal obstacle remains Hamas’s continued control of Gaza, its willingness to cede governance, and its use of violence, all of which complicate the path to an interim phase tied to the Trump framework. Diplomats say momentum could hinge on rapid progress in ensuring safe corridors, governance arrangements, and a credible disarmament mechanism.

On the hostage front, Hamas has handed over remains that Israeli intelligence now says do not belong to any of the eleven Israeli hostages confirmed dead or still held in Gaza. Hamas maintains it cannot locate the bodies and is pressing for the entry of heavy equipment to aid in searches, even as it faces internal criticism over the handling of hostages. Israeli officials say Hamas retains access to most of the remains, a situation that they argue could be leveraged quickly if Hamas chose to do so. Negotiations continue to be affected by disputes over the status of detainees, the return of the living hostages, and the broader framework for governance and security in Gaza as mediators press for progress toward a broader ceasefire and a viable political track.

Meanwhile in Israel, a domestic editorial debate centers on the exemption from military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Proponents of the exemption argue it protects the Torah world and preserves religious study, while critics contend that Torah study should not be treated as the exclusive privilege of one group and call for broader public service obligations. The debate reflects longer-running tensions over equality of service, national security needs, and the social and political integration of diverse communities within Israel.

In academia, former Columbia University professor Marianne Hirsch has argued that campus antisemitism discussions in the United States can contribute to a sense of Jewish victimization and that the Holocaust should be taught alongside discussions of Gaza and the Nakba, warning against what she sees as exceptionalism in Holocaust memory. These comments reflect ongoing debates about how history is taught and how memory informs current policy and public discourse, particularly as international concerns about Israel and Palestine intersect with debates over free speech and campus climate.

In political commentary from the United States, a Republican senator and several columnists have weighed in on trends that could influence foreign policy and immigration dynamics here at home. One senior Republican have-a-voice warned that a populist, pro-Palestinian mayoral candidacy in New York could alter the city’s political calculus and potentially influence the broader national discourse. Other opinion writers argue that a peaceful resolution will require concrete Palestinian commitments to rejecting terrorism and embracing democratic norms. Taken together, these voices underscore the persistent link between regional events and domestic political debates in the United States.

A human-interest note from Israel: Alon Ohel, a former hostage, is rebuilding his life in Tel Aviv with music and family support, a testament to resilience and the continuing process of recovery for those affected by years of conflict. A crowdfunding effort is underway to support his physical and emotional rehabilitation, highlighting the personal dimensions that accompany broader security and diplomatic discussions.

Looking ahead, weather conditions in the region are forecast to shift modestly cooler in parts of the country but remain warmer than seasonal norms in much of the area through the week, a reminder that daily life continues amid ongoing security concerns and diplomatic efforts.

In summary, the day’s developments reflect a cautious, multidimensional approach to a volatile mix of security threats, humanitarian considerations, and political dynamics. On one hand, Israel and its partners pursue mechanisms to prevent direct confrontation with Hezbollah and to manage Gaza’s governance questions through a gradual, internationally staffed framework. On the other hand, domestic debates within Israel and the United States—ranging from military service and higher education memory to municipal leadership in New York and the broader question of Palestinian statehood—continue to shape how the region is understood and how policy is formed. As diplomacy negotiates a path forward, the risks of renewed conflict remain real, and the international community watches closely for steps that could alter the trajectory toward stability or renewed volatility.

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.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-872379
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872366
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https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-872383
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872198
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872186
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872354
https://www.timesofisrael.com/4-said-killed-in-idf-strike-in-lebanon-targeting-member-of-elite-hezbollah-unit/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247408
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/11/02/us-drafts-interim-gaza-plan-multinational-force-to-separate-hamas-from-idf/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjxmasejzl
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1247402
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