HEADLINES
US drafts Gaza transition with stabilization force
Hamas rift widens between Gaza command abroad
Saudi F-35 sale clears Pentagon hurdle

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. Here is the hour’s update on the Middle East and related global developments that shape the region’s security and political dynamics.

First, in New York and Washington, the United States has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorize a two-year mandate for a Gaza transitional governance body and an international stabilization force to operate in the Palestinian enclave. The draft, seen by Reuters this week, remains under development and could change as talks proceed. It has not yet been formally circulated for negotiations in the fifteen‑member council, and no timetable for a vote has been set. The proposal reflects a US effort to coordinate a managed transition in Gaza while prioritizing humanitarian access and security concerns for Israel and the Palestinian population.

In a separate strands of diplomacy, Washington has proposed a move at the United Nations to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa and on the Interior Minister Anas Khattab, ahead of a White House meeting with the American President. The draft resolution’s path to a vote remains unclear, and any adoption would require the support of a sufficient number of council members and no veto. Officials in the region and beyond are watching how enabling steps like sanctions relief might influence Syria’s role in regional stabilization efforts and its interactions with neighboring states and nonstate actors.

Turning to the Gaza arena, Hamas appears to be experiencing a growing internal tension as the war winds down. Reports describe a deepening split between the movement’s Gaza-based military leadership and its political bureau abroad, with disputes over ties to Iran, the scope of armed resistance, and the group’s future regional posture. The discord is playing out in public online exchanges and in debates over strategy and legitimacy, complicating any immediate path to governance arrangements or ceasefire understandings and adding a layer of unpredictability to future regional alignments.

On the ground in Israel, officials confirmed the identification of a murdered hostage, Itay Chen, who was brought back from Gaza after a two-year period in which he was missing. Chen, an American-Israeli soldier, was killed while defending against Hamas infiltrations, and his remains were returned to Israel for burial. His family and the defense establishment have spoken of sorrow and resolve as Israel continues to press for the return of hostages and the full implementation of any exchange framework that might be in place.

In regional security developments, Saudi Arabia’s bid to purchase F‑35 jets has cleared a key hurdle in the Pentagon process. Saudi Arabia remains the largest purchaser of US arms in the region, and the potential sale signals a deepening defense relationship that could influence risk calculations and deterrence dynamics across the Gulf. Observers note that such arms deliveries come alongside broader regional realignments, including discussions about security guarantees and defense cooperation.

Signaling the broader domestic and transatlantic debate on antisemitism and campus life, a new legal approach is emerging in the United States. A lawsuit filed by the National Jewish Advocacy Center against Chapman University seeks to apply a workplace discrimination framework to educational contracts, arguing that Jewish students faced discrimination and harassment on campus in the wake of October 2023 events. The case is being argued as a class action under a statute that has typically governed workplace disputes, highlighting a contested approach to how civil rights protections apply to university settings. Chapman University says it is reviewing the filing and reaffirming its commitment to support Jewish students.

Across the Atlantic, attention remains focused on public diplomacy and perception. Queen Rania of Jordan drew wide notice for a Munich speech in which she linked inflammatory rhetoric to broader tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though commentators say she was misquoted in ways that attributed harsher accusations to Israeli officials than her remarks intended. The episode underscores the sensitivity of messaging and the risk of misunderstandings influencing international views of the region and its people.

Beyond these developments, the ongoing human and material toll of violence in Gaza, the difficulties of reconstruction, and the fate of hostages and detainees continue to shape policy choices in capitals around the world. The United States and its partners say their aim is to stabilize the enclave and prevent a relapse into broader conflict, while regional actors weigh security guarantees, political legitimacy, and humanitarian responsibilities.

In the domestic arena, incidents outside the region remind audiences of the global reach of these tensions. A UPS cargo aircraft crashed near Louisville, Kentucky, causing a large explosion and fire in the vicinity of the airport’s Worldport facility. Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded, injuries were reported, and authorities closed the airport to incoming and outgoing traffic as investigations begin. The incident adds to a shifting news cycle that sees regional conflicts intersecting with domestic emergencies and international attention.

Finally, in ongoing memorial and reconciliation efforts within Israel, veteran rehabilitation programs and commemoration initiatives continue to highlight the country’s inner resilience in the face of longstanding security challenges. The Rabin Center and other institutions are advancing programs to support wounded veterans as part of a broader narrative of national renewal and remembrance.

We will continue to monitor these developments and report as events unfold, with a focus on how these changes affect security, diplomacy, and daily life across the region. This is the hour’s briefing.

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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