HEADLINES
US Drives UN Gaza ISF Two-Year Governance
PA Demands Direct Gaza Governance Voice
Israeli Shakeup Dermer Out Leiter In

The time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 9:00 PM, a developing diplomatic effort in New York is focused on shaping the governance and security framework for Gaza after a future ceasefire, with Washington pressing the United Nations Security Council to back a resolution that would authorize an International Stabilization Force and a two‑year Gaza transitional governance body. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz convened meetings with the Security Council’s ten elected members and with ambassadors from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to build support for the draft text, which aims to implement parts of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan and to set the stage for postwar governance.

A Palestinian delegation, including officials from the Palestinian Mission to the UN, used the discussions to seek changes that would give the Palestinian Authority a more direct role in Gaza’s administration and security. The current draft mentions the PA only once, but sources close to the talks say Ramallah is pressing for a position on a forthcoming technocratic cabinet and for its security forces to be closely linked with the International Stabilization Force when the plan is activated. The Palestinian aim appears to be a more formal tie to the ISF and a voice in how Gaza is policed and governed during the transition.

Key elements of the draft envision the ISF, under a two-year mandate, securing Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt, protecting civilians and humanitarian zones, and training Palestinian police officers. The plan also calls for a process to demilitarize the Gaza Strip, including the destruction and prevention of rebuilding of military and offensive infrastructure, and the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non‑state armed groups. US officials emphasize that the ISF would operate as a peace‑enforcing body in close consultation with Egypt and Israel, a design meant to deter renewed hostilities while enabling humanitarian relief and reconstruction.

Regional actors have expressed cautious backing, with envoys from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates signaling broad regional support for moving forward. Several Arab diplomats noted that while some contributors are willing to provide troops, a number of countries are wary of potential clashes with Hamas should the ISF encounter resistance or a protracted armed phase during implementation. Jordan’s King Abdullah has urged that any security arrangement combine enforcement with a strong emphasis on civilian protection and reconstruction, though Amman is not expected to decide the final shape of the ISF’s command.

The draft resolution seeks adoption this month, with a goal of ISF deployment by early 2026, contingent on the grant of at least nine affirmative votes and no veto from any permanent member. The document underscores that the ISF would work in close cooperation with Israel and Egypt and carry out “additional tasks as may be necessary in support of the Gaza agreement.” It also notes a civilian protection framework and humanitarian channels would remain intact as the plan progresses, alongside continued aid and hostages’ status.

Within Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly argued that the PA cannot participate in governing postwar Gaza. Still, international actors and several regional partners have made Ramallah’s involvement a condition of broader engagement in Gaza’s future, creating a potential friction point between Israeli security objectives and broader diplomatic efforts to gain council approval.

In a parallel shift, Israeli politics absorbed a leadership change within the government. Ron Dermer, the strategic affairs minister and a longtime adviser to Netanyahu, is slated to step down next week, with responsibilities to be handed to Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter. Dermer will remain engaged as a special envoy for the Abraham Accords and will continue to handle certain duties related to ties with the Trump administration, while Leiter takes on additional duties and continues his role in Washington. The reshuffle reflects ongoing efforts to preserve close coordination with Washington on a range of strategic issues, including hostage negotiations and broader regional diplomacy.

Separately, attention abroad has veered to domestic political rhythms in the United States, where New York City’s incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election has drawn scrutiny from Jewish communities. Observers caution that while antisemitism has risen in the United States over more than a decade, the prospect of a mass aliyah from New York remains unlikely. Most American Jews have not viewed relocation as a primary response to rising hate, and aliyah figures have historically hovered between two thousand and four thousand annually. New York City continues to host the world’s largest Jewish community, with deep roots in local schools, synagogues, and cultural life, even as some Jewish leaders warn that the political climate could influence community life ahead. In public discourse, some Israeli commentators and politicians have raised questions about the potential for increased ties between New York’s Jewish community and Israel, while many Jewish groups in the city reiterate commitments to remain and contribute to the metropolis.

As this month unfolds, the United States aims to chart a path that reconciles security requirements with humanitarian considerations, while regional partners weigh the balance between enforcing a durable ceasefire and managing rivalries that could complicate Gaza’s future. The evolving dynamics reflect a broader effort to translate a difficult, multi‑layered set of aims into a practical, verifiable plan that preserves civilian protection, accommodates regional interests, and preserves the legitimacy of transitional governance in the Gaza Strip. The situation remains fluid, with key decisions hinging on Security Council backing, the specifics of PA involvement, and the ability of the ISF to operate in concert with Israel and Egypt as the region moves toward a potential end to decades of conflict.

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
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-envoy-seeks-to-rally-support-for-resolution-establishing-postwar-gaza-security-force/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872897
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rypjkik1wx
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-envoy-in-dc-to-take-on-larger-role-as-dermer-steps-down-as-minister-sources/
https://t.me/newssil/178588
https://www.timesofisrael.com/will-mamdanis-election-spur-a-mass-aliyah-from-nyc-dont-count-on-it/