HEADLINES
Five ISIS suspects nabbed in Raqqa raid
Knesset members storm Rabin anniversary speech
Families plead Netanyahu for hostages and remains

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the hour by hour update on developments shaping the Middle East and related international responses. In Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces arrested five members of an ISIS cell in a Raqqa raid, with air cover and intelligence support provided by the US-led coalition. The group was tied to plotting attacks in northeast Syria, and the operation underscores ongoing security challenges in the region.

In Europe, Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz invited Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Berlin to discuss deportations of Syrian citizens with criminal records and to talk about stabilizing Syria’s situation. Berlin says it will pursue concrete steps in this regard while seeking ways to help reduce instability in the country.

Back in the United States, New York City’s mayoral race looms large for the city’s Jewish community, which remains divided over the candidacy of Mamdani. Some rabbis and community leaders have warned that opposition to Israel’s policies could be a factor in voting, illustrating how regional politics resonate in local ballots.

In Israel, Knesset members stormed out during a speech by Prime Minister Yair Lapid marking 30 years since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Lapid used the moment to criticize the government’s current line, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, calling his inclusion in the government a profound misstep for the state. The moment reflected ongoing domestic tensions as the country grapples with security and political questions at home while facing regional challenges.

On the Gaza front, families of hostages and remains appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with the government’s point person on captives. They pressed for a firm commitment to bring home all remaining hostages and bodies. The ceasefire agreement that framed the exchange process required the return of all living hostages within a defined window and the recovery of as many deceased hostages as possible. Israeli authorities reported the ongoing process of returning remains and hostages, with families emphasizing the emotional and symbolic importance of accountability and transparency. US officials have weighed in on the matter as well; Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the return of a hostage’s remains and the resilience of the affected families, while President Donald Trump spoke with the families and urged perseverance. The evolving hostage issue remains a central element of the ceasefire and a touchstone for trust between the Israeli government and the families most directly affected.

Across the border in Lebanon, Israel announced the death of two Hezbollah operatives in separate Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon within a short span. One targeted a commander from Hezbollah’s Radwan Force in the Nabatieh area, the other an operative seen as conducting surveillance on Israeli troops. Lebanon’s health ministry reported casualties and injuries, highlighting the fragile balance near the border as raids and counterstrikes continue. Israel says Hezbollah has accelerated rearmament near the frontier and has warned that the Lebanese army has not disarmed the group as pledged, raising the risk of renewed fighting if provocations intensify.

Security officials in Jerusalem and Washington remain attentive to broader regional dynamics. Iran’s Araghchi warned that Iran has learned from previous engagements and suggested that Israel’s air defenses could be penetrated, signaling a posture that underscored the fragility of already-tense conditions in the region. The same period has seen discussions in security circles about potential escalation if provocation grows, particularly around Hezbollah and other Iranian-aligned groups.

On the diplomatic track, US officials reiterated calls for greater press access to Gaza now that a ceasefire is in place. The administration said the issue, while not at the top of its agenda, remains important as part of promoting transparency and press freedom in conflict zones. The debate over independent press access continues to play out in Israel’s courts and in international diplomacy, reflecting broader questions about press freedom, security concerns, and humanitarian access in war zones.

In parallel diplomatic developments, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is slated to visit Washington on November 18 for talks with President Trump. The visit signals ongoing alignment efforts tied to the Abraham Accords, even as progress toward Palestinian statehood remains a dividing line in regional diplomacy.

Germany’s Merz also noted a broader aim to stabilize and reorient policy toward the region, while Turkey’s stance toward Hamas has drawn attention in regional media, with some reports suggesting Ankara’s actions could influence Hamas’s posture in Gaza as parties seek to shape which entities hold sway. In a related regional thread, Beijing signaled willingness to deepen cooperation with Moscow as both governments describe shared strategic interests, an indicator of how great-power dynamics intersect with Middle East security.

In separate international coverage, a confidential UN report cited by outlets including World Israel News described Israel identifying UNRWA staffers with alleged Hamas ties and the UN’s response to those findings. The report noted that not all identified staffers were dismissed, underscoring the complexity of accountability mechanisms in multinational institutions during periods of conflict and diplomacy.

Finally, on the security front in the region, Israel carried out a series of targeted operations and warnings in the broader border areas as actors such as Hezbollah and Iranian-linked groups posture across the region. The evolving security landscape continues to test local authorities and international partners alike, as ceasefire commitments coexist with ongoing threats and political pressures in neighboring states.

This is the latest from the region as views and policies continue to shift in response to security challenges, humanitarian concerns, and diplomatic negotiations that span continents and shape the years 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.

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