HEADLINES
- Trump stakes US in Netanyahu trial
- Ceasefire holds as Egypt-Turkey push intensifies
- Histadrut graft probe expands, dozens detained

The time is now 2:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. This is the hourly update on the evolving regional landscape, where security concerns, diplomacy, and domestic political developments intersect with the broader humanitarian challenge of Gaza and the uses of international influence.

First, in Israel, the political and legal arena remains highly charged. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption case has drawn persistent attention from supporters and critics alike. In simultaneous coverage across international outlets, former US president Donald Trump has asserted that Washington will be “involved” in Netanyahu’s trial, arguing that the Israeli leader has been treated unfairly by the legal process. Those remarks, while reflecting Trump’s personal view, underscore enduring questions about how regional leaders’ legal challenges are perceived abroad and how they influence allies’ domestic politics. In Israel’s own discourse, officials emphasize the seriousness of the charges—bribery, fraud, and breach of trust—while many supporters argue that political considerations should not shape judicial processes. The dialogue surrounding the trial continues to affect perceptions of Israel’s governance and its resilience as a security-focused state.

Turning to the Gaza arena, the ceasefire arrangement brokered in part by regional and international actors has endured for several weeks, though it remains fragile in practice. Washington’s stance over time has emphasized the security needs of Israel and the humanitarian requirements of Gaza, balancing call for disarmament by militant groups with the humanitarian obligations of aid delivery and hostage recovery. In recent public commentary, Trump has contended that Hamas could be “eliminated” if disarmament is pursued, and he has argued that the ceasefire is not fragile, asserting that the conditions on the ground could be steered toward a broader strategic outcome in which Hamas conforms to disarmament terms. Israeli officials and regional observers continue to monitor how the ceasefire holds, how humanitarian channels operate, and how hostage-prisoner negotiations unfold, all amid questions about future arrangements and reconstruction needs.

Identifications and human costs of the conflict remain a central concern. Remains identified and returned from the Gaza front include Lieutenant Colonel Asaf Hamami, Captain Omer Neutra, and Sergeant Oz Daniel, along with other bodies believed to have been captured or killed during the early stages of the October crisis. Families mourn as public authorities confirm identifications and outline plans for proper burial and remembrance. The deaths of these servicemen have reinforced calls from Israeli leadership for the safe return of all hostages and for accountability for the violence that led to their capture. The human toll—the loss of soldiers and civilians, as well as the ongoing hardship faced by Gaza’s civilian population—continues to shape political messaging, security calculations, and humanitarian policy on both sides of the conflict.

In regional diplomacy, Turkey signaled a push to engage Muslim and allied partners to influence the Gaza situation. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is slated to tell partners that Israel’s approach to the ceasefire is lacking, with Turkish officials suggesting that Israel has offered reasons rather than concrete commitments. Ankara’s approach reflects a broader regional theme: the use of aligned Muslim-majority states and close partners to exert influence over Gaza-related dynamics, including timing and scope of any future ceasefire arrangements, enforcement of commitments, and anticipated reconstruction plans.

Egypt, a key intermediary in Gaza diplomacy, has continued to warn about the path ahead. An Egyptian official source cited by regional outlets indicated that it would be imprudent to accept a future that does not implement agreed-upon commitments. Cairo has suggested that statements about a reconstruction conference for Gaza must reflect a coherent and unified stance from Israel and the United States. The central point, as described by Egyptian officials, is that the negotiations and agreements reached thus far require clear adherence to obligations and a shared understanding of reconstruction timing, funding, and governance. With positions on the reconstruction process not fully aligned among Israel, the US, and European partners, observers note the importance of bridging gaps to avoid renewed tensions.

On the domestic front in Israel, a major corruption investigation has extended into labor leadership circles. Police raids on the Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor federation, have resulted in the detention of dozens of workers, including senior figures, in connection with a broad graft probe. The investigation, described by investigators as among the most significant in recent Israeli history, has put a spotlight on labor leadership and political appointments. The timing of the operation—coordinated by the Lahav 433 unit—adds to concerns about governance, accountability, and the potential political impact on labor relations in the country. As the investigation unfolds, observers are watching for any broader implications for social and economic policy and for public trust in institutions.

Beyond the immediate theater of war and governance, questions about antisemitism and political discourse in Western democracies continue to circulate. In Britain, a prominent Labour figure who has championed Blue Labour’s emphasis on working-class interests has spoken about a perceived rise in antisemitism linked to immigration debates and the broader political climate. These reflections illuminate a cross-continental tension: how society reconciles liberal values with concerns about security, identity, and civic cohesion. While the discussion centers on domestic politics and university cultures, it also touches on how Jewish communities perceive safety, inclusion, and political rhetoric in their respective nations. The broader takeaway is a reminder that regional stability cannot be separated from the health of democratic norms and minority protections at home.

In humanitarian terms, Afghanistan was jolted by a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake near Mazar-e Sharif, resulting in casualties and injuries and highlighting the vulnerability of populations across Central and South Asia to natural disasters amid complex geopolitical conditions. The event underscores the global reach of humanitarian needs that demand international attention and assistance, even as other regional crises command daily headlines.

Lastly, a note on the broader strategic picture. The discourse around whether major regional powers are prepared to condition engagement with Israel on a two-state framework remains a live, evolving conversation. Public statements from policymakers and foreign leaders reflect a spectrum of positions, with some emphasizing security imperatives and others underscoring the search for a political settlement. In the United States, policy toward Israel and the Palestinian territories continues to balance security considerations with diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region and addressing humanitarian concerns, even as crises emerge that test long-standing alliances and commitments.

This hour’s landscape presents a complex mosaic: a state striving to maintain security while navigating domestic upheavals and legal scrutiny; regional powers leveraging diplomacy and influence to shape the Gaza trajectory; and international partners balancing security goals with humanitarian responsibilities. We will continue to monitor developments, report on new evidence as it emerges, and provide context to help audiences understand why these events matter, how they connect, and what they may mean for regional stability and international diplomacy in the days ahead.

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/american-politics/article-872524
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-872523
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872522
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872520
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872518
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872519
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-us-will-be-involved-in-netanyahu-trial-to-help-him-out-pm-being-mistreated/
<a href="https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/11/turkey-set-rally-mus