HEADLINES
Israel confirms Itay Chen returned from Gaza
Saudi seeks 48 F-35s regional balance shifts
Historic White House talks with Syria's al-Sharaa

The time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

It is six o’clock in the evening, and this is the 6:00 PM update on events in the Middle East and surrounding security matters. In Gaza, Israeli authorities confirmed the return and identification of Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, the IDF soldier whose body Hamas had previously held after his death and abduction. The coffin and body were handed over to Israeli authorities by the Red Cross and were moved to Abu Kabir for identification, with the Prime Minister’s Office later confirming Chen’s identity. Officials said the return of Chen comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve the fates of other hostages and missing personnel, while seven hostages or their remains are still believed to be in Gaza as part of the broader ceasefire and reconciliation discussions that seek to end years of conflict and secure the return of missing individuals.

Turning to broader regional security, the Trump administration is weighing Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase as many as 48 F-35 fighter jets. Two US officials familiar with the matter told Reuters that the sale has cleared an important Pentagon hurdle, arriving at a stage where cabinet-level approvals, presidential sign-off, and congressional notification remain required before a final decision. If approved, the deal would represent a significant shift in the regional arms balance and would test Washington’s commitment to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge, a core element of US policy in the region. Saudi officials have long pursued the stealth fighters as part of modernization plans under Vision 2030 and as a means to counter regional threats, particularly Iran. Israel has operated F-35 jets for nearly a decade and remains the only Middle Eastern country with the aircraft in service, a fact that underpins broad strategic calculations in Washington and Tel Aviv alike. The outcome of this potential sale will be watched closely in Jerusalem and by partners across the region, as it intersects with ongoing diplomacy and defense cooperation in the broader Middle East.

On the diplomatic front, Washington has announced plans for a meeting between President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on November 10. White House officials described the visit as part of ongoing diplomacy aimed at encouraging broader regional stability and advancement against extremist networks, including discussions about sanctions relief and reconstruction. US officials also indicated that Syria has engaged in recent talks with Israel through third-party channels, with the aim of de-escalation and a broader regional framework against ISIS, though no precise timetable or agreement has been disclosed. The invitation marks a historic moment as a Syrian head of state would visit the White House, reflecting a recalibration of ties as Damascus seeks to rejoin international diplomacy after years of isolation.

In parallel, a senior Hamas official said there is an agreement with the Palestinian Authority on forming a temporary committee to manage the Gaza Strip. The proposed committee would oversee border crossings and security forces in Gaza and would be headed by a Palestinian Authority minister, though the exact scope and authority remain under discussion. Hamas representatives stressed that while they see value in the arrangement, details and practical implementation remain to be resolved, and it is unclear whether the United States or other international partners have formally endorsed the plan. This development intersects with broader US-led discussions about stabilizing Gaza and reducing humanitarian and security risks across the region as Washington seeks a path toward ending the war and resuming civilian governance in Gaza.

These strands—military balance considerations in the Gulf, high-level diplomacy with Syria, and intra-Palestinian governance discussions—illustrate a Middle East landscape where security calculations, international diplomacy, and humanitarian concerns are closely intertwined. Across these threads, Israel’s security interests and its reliance on US military and political backing continue to shape regional conversations, even as new defense partnerships and diplomatic engagements shift the regional balance and test longstanding assumptions about stability and alliance. We will continue to monitor these developments, including any final decisions on the F-35 sale, the specifics of the Gaza committee plan, and the outcomes of the White House meeting with Syria’s leadership, as they unfold and influence events on the ground.

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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