HEADLINES
Hamas to transfer hostage bodies by 8PM
Tomer-Yerushlami located safe after disappearance
Netanyahu pushes Hezbollah disarmament amid ceasefire

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 1:00 PM international news update. In the Gaza theater, the pause in fighting remains precarious as Israel and Hamas maneuver over hostage issues and the terms of any ceasefire. Hamas has announced it will transfer the bodies of three Israeli hostages to Israel at 8:00 PM local time, along with personal documents of Asaf Hammi, and it says the bodies were located in Gaza. Israeli officials say they are evaluating the proposal and the broader implications for the ceasefire and for the fate of remaining hostages, stressing that any exchange terms must meet security and humanitarian objectives. Israel has not confirmed the transfer arrangements and has signaled that any movement of captives or fighters would be tied to verifiable guarantees for Israeli security and the broader ceasefire framework.

On the battlefield, the Israeli Navy and specialized search units are continuing operations along the coast and in the areas around Rafah and southern Gaza as authorities monitor any shifts in the ceasefire commitments. In Tel Aviv, the disappearance of Yifat Tomer-Yerushlami, the IDF’s chief military advocate, prompted an intensive search involving naval and ground units and technology. Late today, authorities announced that Tomer-Yerushlami had been located and is safe; a vehicle and a letter were found at Hatzuk Beach during the search, and investigators are reviewing the sequence of events that led to her absence. The episode highlights ongoing concerns in Israel’s security apparatus about potential threats and the safety of senior personnel during a period of heightened tension.

In political and legal circles, attention remains on the Sde Teiman leak and the questions it raises about the balance of power and accountability inside Israel’s security establishment. Analysts and commentators have asked how far the government will go to address internal disagreements and potential political damage stemming from the leak, and whether different branches fear the legal fallout from international or domestic investigations more than any immediate security consequences. This episode comes as debates over the appropriate bounds of political critique versus national security obligations continue to unfold within Israel’s leadership and its wider political landscape.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, stressing that only state security forces should bear arms in the current security environment following a US-brokered ceasefire arrangement with Hezbollah. Hezbollah, for its part, says disarmament should be limited to the south and insists that a broader demobilization cannot proceed without a broader regional security strategy and verifiable guarantees. The exchange underscores enduring divisions over how a lasting stability might be achieved in the region, even as the United States and regional partners seek to sustain a framework that prevents a resumption of broad hostilities.

On the American front, US policy continues to center on supporting Israel’s security while pressing for a durable ceasefire and disarmament provisions that constrain militant groups in Gaza. Washington emphasizes that Hamas must disarm and disband as part of any lasting resolution, and it continues to coordinate with regional partners to monitor ceasefire compliance and humanitarian access. The broader aim, officials say, is to prevent a relapse into broader fighting while safeguarding civilian protections and strategic regional stability.

Turning to the political dynamics in the United States, a prominent conference of Jewish Republicans in Las Vegas reflected internal tensions around Israel and antisemitism within the party. Leaders of the Republican Jewish Coalition condemned antisemitic rhetoric and stressed a continued commitment to Israel, while acknowledging concerns about how some voices on the right address the conflict and related issues. The gathering aired questions about how to balance robust support for Israel with an inclusive, principled stance on civil discourse. The discussions occurred as President Donald Trump received attention for his role in supporting the ceasefire framework that facilitated the return of hostages, even as attendees debated the durability of that arrangement and the terms regarding Hamas’s disarmament.

In other developments with broader cultural and geopolitical resonance, the Netherlands plans to return a 3,500-year-old sculpture depicting Pharaoh Thutmose III to Egypt, a reminder of the long-standing connections between antiquities, diplomacy, and regional history. In the United Kingdom, a court sentenced Isa Giga, 32, of Hounslow, to nine years in prison for attempts to join Syrian extremist groups, illustrating ongoing international counterterrorism efforts outside the immediate Middle East theater. These items, while not center-stage in the current crisis, contribute to a wider assessment of security, diplomacy, and cultural heritage in a region whose political and security dynamics continue to shape global policy discussions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has publicly suggested that Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, was on a phone call at the moment a strike killed him in July 2024, a claim reflecting the ongoing contest over how senior figures are portrayed and how information is used in strategic messaging. The assertion adds to the broader information environment surrounding Hamas leadership and the war’s implications for the region’s intelligence and security calculations.

Throughout these developments, analysts note that Israel’s security posture remains defined by vigilance, legal considerations, and the need to protect civilians while confronting militant threats. The questions surrounding the Sde Teiman leak, the terms of hostage exchanges, and the future role of militant actors in Gaza will continue to influence both domestic political calculations and international diplomacy as the region seeks stability in a protracted and volatile conflict. This is the latest from the region at this hour.

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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