HEADLINES
- North Korea vows retaliation against choking sanctions
- Supreme Court questions Trump's global tariffs power
- US backs 100-200 Hamas exit from Rafah

The time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

North Korea says it has been antagonized by United States sanctions and vows to respond, with Pyongyang characterizing the measures as designed to choke funding for North Korea’s weapons programs. The latest move comes as Washington seeks to constrain Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic ambitions, a dynamic that remains a central point of volatility on the Korean peninsula and a continuing challenge to regional security.

In Washington, the Supreme Court signaled skepticism about the legality of Donald Trump’s global tariffs, challenging the use of a 1977 emergency powers law to impose tariffs without explicit congressional authorization. The high court’s questions reflect a broader constitutional debate over executive authority in trade matters and could shape how the administration, future administrations, and Congress approach tariff policy going forward.

Vandalism targeting a Brooklyn Jewish school drew swift condemnation after swastikas were daubed on the Magen David Yeshiva, with investigators from the NYPD examining the incident. The incident intensified concerns within New York’s Jewish community about safety and antisemitism in the wake of political and social tensions, including debates over Israel and antisemitism in public life.

In New York City politics, the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor has placed the city’s large Jewish community at a crossroads. Mamdani, who campaigned on a platform seen by many as anti‑Zionist, has drawn support from left‑leaning Jewish voters while triggering unease among pro‑Israel groups. Observers note that rivals who campaigned as centrist or pro‑Israel, including Andrew Cuomo, retain substantial backing within the community. Jewish leaders have urged vigilance about antisemitism and policy directions that could affect education, security, and civic life. The incoming administration faces a complex set of expectations: to safeguard Jewish communities, to manage a sprawling city bureaucracy, and to navigate a political landscape where pro‑Israel and anti‑Israel currents are both active and influential.

Across the Israeli‑Palestinian arena, Washington has pressed Israel to allow safe passage for a limited number of Hamas operatives—100 to 200—holed up in a tunnel network on the Israeli side of Rafah to leave safely. The proposal, discussed with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, is viewed by US officials as a potential pilot for a broader decommissioning and amnesty framework tied to a larger end‑to‑conflict plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly resisted full safe passage, arguing security concerns and the risk of attacks or rearmament. Israeli and American aides have circulated competing views of how such a mechanism could function, especially given past ceasefire arrangements and hostages in Gaza.

The fighting in Gaza has also kept hostage issues center stage. Reports describe remains that have arrived in Israel for identification, with officials and families awaiting confirmation, while questions about the location of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin’s remains persist amid conflicting briefings about tunnels near Rafah. The broader hostage‑prisoner dynamic remains a decisive, volatile element in any ceasefire or long‑term settlement discussions.

Meanwhile, the war’s political echo reached the domestic front with debate over Israel’s draft policy for ultra‑Orthodox yeshiva students. Prime Minister Netanyahu is reported to be considering a bill that aims to draft half of eligible Haredi men within five years, a measure designed to stabilize a coalition but criticized as preserving exemptions. Support from Shas and United Torah Judaism could push the bill forward, yet critics warn that even a partial reform may still be insufficient to solve manpower shortages in the IDF and could intensify tensions within Israeli society and among opposition factions.

In other Israel‑related news, a long‑running corporate dispute between Magnum Ice Cream and Ben & Jerry’s intensified as Magnum concluded that the chair of Ben & Jerry’s independent board no longer “meets the criteria” to serve. The dispute unfolds amid Unilever’s planned spin‑off of Magnum, with implications for the governance of the Ben & Jerry’s brand and its stance on Israel. The boardroom dispute highlights how corporate governance and public policy intersect in real time as brands take positions on international conflicts and domestic debates.

On the international stage, President Donald Trump has asserted that many would join Abraham Accords pathways, expressing optimism about potential broadened regional alignments, including a possible role for Saudi Arabia. In forums and interviews, Trump characterized the current period as marking a new era of peace in the Middle East, while underscoring the United States as a nuclear power, a point he repeatedly notes in discussing global strength and deterrence.

Other developments include a provocative set of reports about security and investigations within Israel, from mentions of a leak involving a top‑secret IDF document to discussions about high‑profile security breaches and probes into missing devices tied to major investigations. These items underscore ongoing vigilance in Israeli security and the intersection of technology, intelligence, and public accountability.

In Gaza, the United States and allied mediators continue to probe responses to the conflict’s aftermath, including discussions about post‑war stabilization mechanisms, humanitarian access, and the practical steps needed to address hostages, ceasefires, and reconstruction—issues that will shape the next phase of the region’s security landscape.

Finally, the humanitarian dimension remains at the forefront as agencies monitor conditions in Gaza, aid corridors, and the risks to civilians amid ongoing operations. The political and military equations in Jerusalem, Washington, Cairo, and beyond will inform policy choices, with security concerns and the protection of civilian life guiding decisions on negotiations, passage, and accountability.

This update provides a snapshot of notable developments as of 6:00 PM, emphasizing the interplay between Israel’s security considerations, US policy stances, and shifting political dynamics across the region. Our coverage will continue to present these threads in context, delivering factual, balanced reporting for audiences around the world.

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.

SOURCES
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https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-872889
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<a href="https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872885" rel="no