Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-03 at 12:06
Update: 2025-11-03
Description
HEADLINES
Khamenei no US cooperation amid Israel backing
Israel considers Hamas disarmament and Rafah return
Berlin detains Syrian over planned jihadi attack
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 7:00 AM, developments across the Middle East include a sharp warning from Iran about cooperation with the United States, while regional diplomacy intensifies around Gaza and ceasefire questions. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said there can be no cooperation with Washington as long as the United States backs Israel, maintains military bases in the region, and interferes in regional affairs. The statement underscores Tehran’s stance that US policy in the Middle East remains a barrier to any new diplomacy.
In Israel, policymakers are watching potential moves that could affect Hamas’ future in Gaza. The Times of Israel reported a plan under discussion that could involve disarming Hamas operatives and allowing some of them to return to Rafah, a proposal that has drawn strong pushback from national security and political leadership. Publicly, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, criticized the plan and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to block it. The report also noted that the Israeli defense establishment had not blocked the idea, highlighting divisions within the security and political leadership about how to handle Hamas’ leadership and capabilities.
In Europe, Berlin authorities detained a Syrian national on suspicion of planning a jihadi attack, with officers seizing equipment for making a bomb during searches of several residences. The incident adds to a string of security concerns in Europe connected to militant networks linked to the broader Middle East conflict.
Iran also addressed the high-profile case of Ismail Haniyeh, the former Hamas leader killed last year in Tehran. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman asserted that Haniyeh’s death came from a precision missile that tracked him via a cellphone, denying reports of internal sabotage. Tehran said its retaliation was a planned response decided by its national security leadership, and that Israel faced a series of strikes in October 2024 in response to a cross-border escalation. The exchange of claims about responsibility and method reflects the continuing opacity surrounding covert actions and retaliatory cycles in the region.
Diplomacy on Gaza reconstruction continued to unfold in Istanbul, where Turkey hosted foreign ministers from several Muslim-majority countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Turkish officials framed the gathering as a bid to mobilize broader Islamic world influence on ceasefire implementation and reconstruction. Turkish President Erdogan pressed for a leading role for Muslim nations in Gaza’s reconstruction, arguing that humanitarian aid must reach civilians and that the international community should act decisively to sustain the ceasefire. The discussions come as questions remain about disarmament, security, and the long-term governance of Gaza.
On the humanitarian front, the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile amid ongoing violence and accusations of violations by both sides. The ceasefire brokered with US involvement has reduced some fighting, but the toll continues to mount. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has tallied more than 66,000 dead since the start of the current conflict, a figure that cannot be independently verified and includes a mix of civilians and combatants. Israel has reported its own combatant losses and civilian harm as its ground and air operations continue near Gaza’s perimeter. The tolls and casualty figures underscore the difficulty of separating military objectives from civilian suffering in a densely populated theatre.
In Gaza’s aftermath, human stories persist. A ceasefire has allowed some displaced residents to begin returning, while others remain in shelters or relocated communities. Reports from Khan Younis described people living in cemeteries after their homes were destroyed, illustrating the extreme and continuing humanitarian strain in the territory. The broader pattern of displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to essential services continues to shape daily life for Gaza’s two million residents.
Beyond Gaza, in Sudan the humanitarian crisis has drawn international attention—though critics say the world’s response remains muted compared with Gaza. The Red Cross has warned that history is repeating itself in Darfur, as fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF has displaced millions and caused a sprawling toll of deaths. Humanitarian groups describe a devastating hunger crisis, with millions facing extreme hunger and disease amid the conflict. Some Sudanese refugees in Israel argue that the international focus on Gaza has diverted attention from Sudan’s crisis, highlighting perceived inequities in international response and a sense that moral outrage is unevenly distributed.
Within Israel, domestic debates continue over how to address security threats and the rule of law. A court extended detention for a former senior military lawyer in a corruption probe tied to a leaked detention-related video, while other investigations sweep through political and security circles. In parallel, political leaders signaled continued seriousness about counterterrorism measures, including discussions around the death penalty for terrorists, with Prime Minister Netanyahu showing support as lawmakers prepared to advance related legislation.
As the ceasefire economy of the region evolves, Washington remains engaged in ongoing diplomacy, providing humanitarian channels and urging adherence to agreed terms while stressing Israel’s security needs. The international community watches for signals that the ceasefire can hold, prevent further escalation, and enable sustained humanitarian assistance for civilians on both sides. The situation remains volatile, with security considerations, political calculations, and humanitarian imperatives all intersecting as regional actors shape the path forward.
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/middle-east/article-872549
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872547
https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-872532
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872542
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-872545
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/11/03/deborah-messing-israel-hollywood-advocacy/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/building-communities-strengthening-roots-africa-israel-residences/
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-hamas-will-be-taken-out-immediately-if-they-dont-behave/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-essential-that-muslim-nations-lead-gaza-reconstruction-but-israel-hindering-this/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hj2mrzujwg
https://worldisraelnews.com/police-arrest-top-histadrut-municipal-figures-in-sweeping-corruption-probe/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872539
https://www.timesofisrael.com/haunted-by-oct-7-some-nahal-oz-locals-hesitate-to-return-home-two-years-later/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1wxx11uj11g
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-hosts-ministe
Khamenei no US cooperation amid Israel backing
Israel considers Hamas disarmament and Rafah return
Berlin detains Syrian over planned jihadi attack
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 7:00 AM, developments across the Middle East include a sharp warning from Iran about cooperation with the United States, while regional diplomacy intensifies around Gaza and ceasefire questions. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said there can be no cooperation with Washington as long as the United States backs Israel, maintains military bases in the region, and interferes in regional affairs. The statement underscores Tehran’s stance that US policy in the Middle East remains a barrier to any new diplomacy.
In Israel, policymakers are watching potential moves that could affect Hamas’ future in Gaza. The Times of Israel reported a plan under discussion that could involve disarming Hamas operatives and allowing some of them to return to Rafah, a proposal that has drawn strong pushback from national security and political leadership. Publicly, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, criticized the plan and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to block it. The report also noted that the Israeli defense establishment had not blocked the idea, highlighting divisions within the security and political leadership about how to handle Hamas’ leadership and capabilities.
In Europe, Berlin authorities detained a Syrian national on suspicion of planning a jihadi attack, with officers seizing equipment for making a bomb during searches of several residences. The incident adds to a string of security concerns in Europe connected to militant networks linked to the broader Middle East conflict.
Iran also addressed the high-profile case of Ismail Haniyeh, the former Hamas leader killed last year in Tehran. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman asserted that Haniyeh’s death came from a precision missile that tracked him via a cellphone, denying reports of internal sabotage. Tehran said its retaliation was a planned response decided by its national security leadership, and that Israel faced a series of strikes in October 2024 in response to a cross-border escalation. The exchange of claims about responsibility and method reflects the continuing opacity surrounding covert actions and retaliatory cycles in the region.
Diplomacy on Gaza reconstruction continued to unfold in Istanbul, where Turkey hosted foreign ministers from several Muslim-majority countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Turkish officials framed the gathering as a bid to mobilize broader Islamic world influence on ceasefire implementation and reconstruction. Turkish President Erdogan pressed for a leading role for Muslim nations in Gaza’s reconstruction, arguing that humanitarian aid must reach civilians and that the international community should act decisively to sustain the ceasefire. The discussions come as questions remain about disarmament, security, and the long-term governance of Gaza.
On the humanitarian front, the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile amid ongoing violence and accusations of violations by both sides. The ceasefire brokered with US involvement has reduced some fighting, but the toll continues to mount. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry has tallied more than 66,000 dead since the start of the current conflict, a figure that cannot be independently verified and includes a mix of civilians and combatants. Israel has reported its own combatant losses and civilian harm as its ground and air operations continue near Gaza’s perimeter. The tolls and casualty figures underscore the difficulty of separating military objectives from civilian suffering in a densely populated theatre.
In Gaza’s aftermath, human stories persist. A ceasefire has allowed some displaced residents to begin returning, while others remain in shelters or relocated communities. Reports from Khan Younis described people living in cemeteries after their homes were destroyed, illustrating the extreme and continuing humanitarian strain in the territory. The broader pattern of displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to essential services continues to shape daily life for Gaza’s two million residents.
Beyond Gaza, in Sudan the humanitarian crisis has drawn international attention—though critics say the world’s response remains muted compared with Gaza. The Red Cross has warned that history is repeating itself in Darfur, as fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF has displaced millions and caused a sprawling toll of deaths. Humanitarian groups describe a devastating hunger crisis, with millions facing extreme hunger and disease amid the conflict. Some Sudanese refugees in Israel argue that the international focus on Gaza has diverted attention from Sudan’s crisis, highlighting perceived inequities in international response and a sense that moral outrage is unevenly distributed.
Within Israel, domestic debates continue over how to address security threats and the rule of law. A court extended detention for a former senior military lawyer in a corruption probe tied to a leaked detention-related video, while other investigations sweep through political and security circles. In parallel, political leaders signaled continued seriousness about counterterrorism measures, including discussions around the death penalty for terrorists, with Prime Minister Netanyahu showing support as lawmakers prepared to advance related legislation.
As the ceasefire economy of the region evolves, Washington remains engaged in ongoing diplomacy, providing humanitarian channels and urging adherence to agreed terms while stressing Israel’s security needs. The international community watches for signals that the ceasefire can hold, prevent further escalation, and enable sustained humanitarian assistance for civilians on both sides. The situation remains volatile, with security considerations, political calculations, and humanitarian imperatives all intersecting as regional actors shape the path forward.
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/middle-east/article-872549
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872547
https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-872532
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872542
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-872545
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/11/03/deborah-messing-israel-hollywood-advocacy/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/building-communities-strengthening-roots-africa-israel-residences/
https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-hamas-will-be-taken-out-immediately-if-they-dont-behave/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-essential-that-muslim-nations-lead-gaza-reconstruction-but-israel-hindering-this/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hj2mrzujwg
https://worldisraelnews.com/police-arrest-top-histadrut-municipal-figures-in-sweeping-corruption-probe/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872539
https://www.timesofisrael.com/haunted-by-oct-7-some-nahal-oz-locals-hesitate-to-return-home-two-years-later/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1wxx11uj11g
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-hosts-ministe
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