HEADLINES
Solomash detention extended in leaks probe
Crush Hamas threats in Gaza
Hamas to hand dead captives to ICRC

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This morning, we begin with a look at evolving legal, security, and regional developments shaping the Middle East and the wider strategic arena. In Jerusalem, the Jerusalem district court extended the detention of the former military advocate general, Colonel (ret.) Solomash, until 10:00 tonight, with a conditional release to follow. The judge noted that the investigation had moved a significant distance, and found no indication that the suspect engaged in obstructing the inquiry. The ruling explained that during the investigation additional individuals had been questioned for their roles in leaking confidential materials; after questioning, those individuals were released under restrictive conditions. The court added that it could not distinguish the additional participants from the main suspect in a way that would justify keeping him in custody. In the discussion, a representative of the police challenged the former chief prosecutor’s account, asserting that the suspect was actively involved and aware of the leaks, had known, understood, and approved them, and was privy to the broader information. This development underscores continuing sensitivity around leak investigations within the Israeli security and legal establishment, along with the ongoing effort to maintain public confidence in procedural fairness while pursuing accountability.

Turning to broader security policy, a prominent Israeli official laid out a stark position on the Hamas threat in Gaza. Defense and security circles have been discussing tactical options, but the minister indicated a hard line: the goal remains to eliminate threats posed by Hamas in Gaza, with emphasis on denying safe passage for militants and preventing operational flexibility within Gaza’s tunnel networks. The remarks come as Washington remains engaged in stabilization efforts, signaling US involvement in the political-military context while Israel maintains its own security calculus. The exchange highlights the enduring tension between humanitarian concerns and the imperative of national security in managing Gaza’s crisis.

In a related security update, Hamas announced it would hand over three captives who are dead to the Red Cross this evening at 20:00 . The assertion, if verified, would be another data point in the ongoing and delicate hostages-and-prisoners dynamic that has characterized the conflict since the current hostilities escalated. Observers will be watching for confirmation from international organizations and from Hamas, which has previously framed such moves as part of ceasefire or prisoner exchange discussions. The development underscores the fragility of any steps toward de-escalation and the continuing effort by outside actors to broker some form of humanitarian or humanitarian-credible communication amidst the conflict.

On a related front involving information warfare and battlefield narratives, sources tied to Hamas have directed messaging aimed at concealing the identities of operatives who took part in the 7 October massacres. The broader concern is that exposing the identities of those operatives could assist Israeli intelligence in locating remaining individuals and families who could be targeted. In parallel, Israel has reported that to date it has delivered 285 bodies of militants to Gaza, most of them killed in the frontlines around October 7, with roughly a fifth identified so far. Hamas officials have pushed back against disclosures, while security forces emphasize the strategic and legal complexities of wartime identification, burial, and family expectations. The net effect is a continuing information battle that intersects with the real-world risk calculus on both sides.

In the Lebanon theater, Lebanese sources reported casualties in a strike attributed to the Israeli military near the village of Borg el-Rahal in southern Lebanon. One reported casualty is a Hezbollah operative identified as Hussein Dib; a wounded individual was also reported. The incident adds to a string of cross-border confrontations and retaliatory cycles along the Israel-Lebanon front, raising concerns about regional spillover and the potential for broader escalation as days and weeks unfold.

Beyond the immediate battlefield, Israel is contributing to humanitarian relief abroad. A 30-member Israeli medical delegation has departed for Jamaica to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The delegation, drawn from hospitals across the country, includes doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, and represents a public health mission framed in the language of professional duty. Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov underscored that the mission embodies the spirit of Israel’s health system and its readiness to assist other nations in times of crisis, even amid regional conflict.

In Europe, Germany has moved to ban the Islamist group Muslim Interactive and to confiscate its assets, citing calls for a global caliphate and incitement against Israel. The action reflects Germany’s ongoing efforts to address extremist organizations with international reach and to prevent direct or indirect support for violence in the region.

Meanwhile, Iran has released a French couple jailed since 2022 on espionage charges, in a development reported in associated outlets. Tehran indicated that the swap involved other parties, as a French national facing terrorism-related charges remained under certain arrangements in France. The exchange signals the complex, often opaque diplomacy surrounding prisoners and dual-use cases in the broader regional security environment.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Turkey has entered a “new phase” in its efforts to end Kurdish militant violence and signaled openness to allowing jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to address lawmakers. Erdogan described the talks with senior pro-Kurdish DEM Party leaders as constructive, urging all actors to contribute to a peaceful resolution while preserving Turkey’s security and territorial integrity. The development reflects Ankara’s balancing act between internal security concerns and diplomatic engagement aimed at reducing long-standing internal conflict.

In New York, the political earthquake of Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor reverberated through Jewish and Israel-focused communities worldwide. In the wake of his victory, Israeli officials and Jewish organizations weighed the implications for New York’s Jewish community and for US policy dynamics. The ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt issued a careful statement calling for the new mayor to uphold a standard of ensuring safety and against anti-Semitism, while observers noted the potential for a broader shift in American political discourse regarding Israel and Palestinian issues. The coverage underscores the complex web of domestic US politics, diaspora dynamics, and the potential impact on international relations and policy.

In other domestic developments, a 16-year-old was stabbed, lightly to moderately, during a brawl at a high school in Ashdod. Emergency responders treated the teen and transferred him to a local hospital for further care. The incident is a reminder that violence in civilian settings remains a concern even as broader regional crises unfold.

Finally, the day’s cross-border threats and political shifts come as Prime Minister Netanyahu is reported to have rejected an IDF recommendation that 200 Hamas militants trapped in a Rafah tunnel be allowed to cross the yellow line unarmed in exchange for the body of Hadar Goldin, the Israeli soldier who fell in the 2014 Gaza war. The Prime Minister’s position, if accurately reported, narrows the scope of potential prisoner-exchange arrangements and signals the continuing prioritization of deterrence and lawful resolution over hasty or symbolic concessions.

As always, we will continue to monitor these threads—courtroom developments and leaks investigations in Israel, Hamas’s hostage and combatant handling, cross-border incidents involving Lebanon, regional diplomacy from Ankara to Washington, and the ways in which humanitarian missions and international reactions shape the broader trajectory of the Middle East’s ongoing conflicts. We will bring you updates as events unfold, with careful context to help audiences understand not just what happened, but why it matters for regional stability and international policy.

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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