HEADLINES
Hamas Holds Goldin Remains in Rafah Tunnel
IDF Hits Radwan Force, Hezbollah Losses Rise
US Saudi F-35 Sale Threatens Abraham Accords

The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the noon update from the region and beyond. In Gaza, authorities and fighting groups remain in a highly fragile stage as concerns over hostages and remains persist. A report says Hamas is holding the remains of hostage Lieutenant Hadar Goldin in a Rafah tunnel, a detail prosecutors and military officials have cited as a key reason for not striking that location. Separately, Hamas has announced that it will return slain Israeli hostage remains tonight at nine o’clock, a step that would move the broader exchange situation forward in Gaza. In another development, remains located in the Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City are to be transferred via the Red Cross to Israel for identification, following the discovery and return of Staff Sergeant Itay Chen’s body in the same area yesterday. In the meantime the Israeli military says two militants were killed while trying to cross the Yellow Line in central Gaza, a reminder of the continuing danger reported along areas close to the border.

Beyond Gaza, concerns about a broader regional security picture continue. In Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces say they struck the Radwan Force, with about twenty Hezbollah militants killed over the course of the past month. The uptick in cross-border activity follows a period of heightened tensions and reflects the persistent fragility of the several-year drawdown that has framed interactions between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanon border. In related testimony, a prominent figure who has interacted with Iranian-backed groups describes the brutal experiences of captivity. Tsurkov, in his first interview since release, says he was beaten and electrocuted by Kataib Hezbollah, a detail that underscores the harsh treatment reported by some captives in the region and the broader risks faced by civilians and detainees.

On the political and policy front, observers noted a shift in US and allied calculations around security cooperation and regional diplomacy. An analysis published in the media suggested that a prospective sale of F-35 fighter jets by the United States to Saudi Arabia could complicate efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, particularly if Riyadh were not prepared to recognize Jerusalem. The possibility of such a sale without a broader political accommodation highlights the ongoing tensions between security guarantees, regional normalization, and the sensitivity of symbols such as Jerusalem in diplomatic calculations.

Turning to domestic politics in major western capitals that intersect with regional events, Arab members of parliament in Israel and observers in New York noted a wide range of responses to political shifts abroad. In New York, Mamdani’s victory in the mayoral race drew attention from both supporters and critics within the Jewish community. Ayman Odeh, among others, praised Mamdani’s milestone, while others warned of the complexities inherent in governing a city with a large and diverse Jewish population. Coverage of Mamdani’s statements and positions on the Israel-Palestinian issue has focused on his long-standing engagement with Palestinian rights advocacy and his reservations about the framing of the conflict in certain terms. Among the topics that have drawn scrutiny is the phrase Globalize the Intifada. Mamdani has said he does not consider it the proper role of a mayor to police language, while other voices have urged clarifying his position given concerns about antisemitism and public safety. These conversations illustrate the ongoing alignment and friction between domestic political discourse in the United States and the portrayal of the conflict on the international stage.

Across the Atlantic, Europe continues to deal with security and migration concerns that feed into the broader regional picture. In Germany, authorities have been actively pursuing security measures, including decisions to ban a pro-Palestinian group accused of anti-constitutional activity and to intensify security at Jewish and Israeli sites after recent regional tensions. Berlin and Hamburg authorities have also moved to curb networks linked to extremist activity and to step up monitoring of related groups tied to international networks. In parallel, Germany’s interior ministry reports paying Afghan nationals stranded in Pakistan under relocation programs to drop their plans to move to Germany, a step intended to manage migration pressures as Berlin weighs security and political considerations. The program involves a portion of people with binding approval to enter Germany who would be allowed in only after security checks, with others offered incentives to return to Afghanistan or to a third country.

In Spain, a memoir by the disgraced former king Juan Carlos has drawn global attention as it describes a complicated arc from democratic transition to exile. He writes that he felt abandoned by his son and the royal circle, and he reflects on his relationship with former colleagues and on the events that led to his departure from Spain. The publication adds texture to a long-running debate about royal legitimacy, accountability, and reconciliation in contemporary Europe.

In the field of defense and regional security cooperation, a joint air training exercise between the Israeli Air Force and the Greek air force was completed over Greek skies. The exercise included aerial refueling of dozens of Greek fighter aircraft, illustrating ongoing practical cooperation between the two air forces and highlighting a broader pattern of regional military collaboration intended to extend range and readiness for potential contingencies.

In domestic security and law enforcement within Israel, the military and police have kept a close watch on internal threats. Reports indicate that a senior figure in the Histadrut’s Hapoel branch was detained for questioning as part of a corruption investigation, with several others already detained in a two-year probe. Separately, a 16-year-old student was stabbed at a school in Ashdod and evacuated in moderate condition, highlighting ongoing concerns about violence in and around schools. In a related matter, a police operation along the coastal district reported seizures of weapons, including a Kalashnikov and an M-16 style firearm along with magazines, as part of a broad crackdown on potential pre-crime activity.

As the region moves through a difficult period, analysts emphasize that while the current pause in combat is real for many facets of daily life, including hostage recovery efforts and humanitarian concerns, the underlying strategic calculus remains dynamic. Officials caution that disarmament and demilitarization of groups like Hamas would require more than tactical pauses or short-term concessions; any durable settlement would require a broad regional approach, internal political consensus, and credible security guarantees. In the meantime, developments around hostage remains, cross-border security incidents, and international diplomacy will continue to shape the near-term outlook for Gaza, Lebanon, and the broader region.

We will continue to monitor these developments and bring you updates as new information becomes available. This is the noon update.

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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