HEADLINES
Hostage recounts brutal sexual violence
Palestinian dies after alleged explosive attack
Gaza ISF to deploy by 2026

The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. Here is the latest hourly update on events across Israel, the Palestinian territories, and the broader regional and international response.

In Gaza, released testimony from a former hostage has drawn renewed attention to the human costs of captivity. Rom Braslavski, who was held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, describes brutal treatment during his confinement, including physical abuse and what he described as sexual violence designed to humiliate him. The remarks, reported in excerpts from an interview with Channel 13 and highlighted by outlets abroad, underscore longstanding and deeply painful allegations about the conditions endured by captives. Israel’s ha gaza security challenges persist in the public memory, underscoring the gravity of the hostages’ ordeal and the continued demand for accountability and humane treatment in any future arrangements. The broader hostage-recovery and negotiations landscape remains complex, with families and officials seeking clarity on the fate of remaining captives and on the steps necessary to prevent further harm.

In the West Bank, the Israeli military reports the death of a Palestinian individual who allegedly threw an explosive device at troops during a raid in the northern town of Yamun. The army says no Israeli soldiers were hurt in the incident. As with other operations in the West Bank, such confrontations heighten tensions in a volatile security environment where Israeli forces conduct counterterrorism activities alongside ongoing political and administrative pressures on both sides.

Moving to Gaza-related diplomacy, a major international effort is underway to shape the postwar security and governance framework for the enclave. In New York, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz convened meetings with Security Council members and regional representatives to discuss a resolution proposed by Washington to establish an International Stabilization Force, or ISF, to oversee Gaza’s security, borders, and civilian protection. The draft resolution envisions a two-year mandate for a Gaza transitional governance body and the ISF, with a focus on ensuring humanitarian access and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, including the dismantling of military and offensive infrastructure. The plan also contemplates a lead role for a Palestinian police presence within a broader, technocratic governance framework, and specifies close coordination with Egypt and Israel. While this initiative has drawn support from several regional actors, questions persist about how a multi-national force would operate in practice, how it would be funded, and what protections would be in place for civilians and for those serving in the ISF. Palestinian officials have sought greater involvement in the governance framework and, in some drafts, a direct role within the security apparatus, while Israeli leaders have raised concerns about sovereignty and control over border security and internal security arrangements. The goal, as described by US officials, is to advance a pathway to stability and to pave the way for a durable peace, though skeptical voices warn that the mission’s mandate and rules of engagement will be decisive in determining its ultimate legitimacy and effectiveness. The timeline being discussed calls for the ISF to be ready for deployment by early 2026, with the hope of securing an arrangement that can quell ongoing violence and enable humanitarian relief and reconstruction.

On the hostage front, Israeli authorities confirmed that a casket containing what appears to be the remains of a hostage handed over by Hamas was brought from Gaza to an Israeli facility for identification. If the remains are confirmed as belonging to a captive, that would leave six hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza. This development follows a stream of recent exchanges in which bodies and captives have been transferred in stages, a process closely watched by families and security officials alike as part of broader negotiations and humanitarian considerations tied to the conflict.

In related regional developments, US political dynamics continue to influence international efforts around the Gaza issue. Domestic voices in the United States—across both major parties—are weighing the balance between strategic support for Israel’s security needs and the pursuit of a durable, diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Notably, discussions and statements from Washington emphasize the importance of a coordinated international approach to Gaza governance, security, and humanitarian relief, while the specifics of any new security framework remain under negotiation among US, Israeli, Palestinian, and regional actors.

Within US domestic affairs, a broader national security conversation continues as authorities address plots and potential threats linked to extremist ideologies. In Michigan, prosecutors say a third man has been charged in a plot to stage a Halloween attack inspired by the Islamic State, with courts detailing alleged plots to strike locations including entertainment venues, and to disrupt communities. The case underscores continuing concerns about homegrown extremism and the importance of early intelligence and law enforcement action to prevent violence on US soil. In parallel, in a different vein of public life, a political contest in Minneapolis drew attention to debates over security, foreign policy, and the role of controversial policy positions in local elections, reflecting how international issues can intersect with domestic political discourse in multi-faceted ways.

Turning to Israeli public life and regional diplomacy, Israel continues to emphasize the imperative of security for its population amid an array of ongoing threats. Government officials reiterate that any postwar framework for Gaza must preserve Israel’s security prerogatives, maintain border integrity, and support civilian protection and humanitarian access in a way that does not compromise its essential security needs. Regional partners and international allies watch closely, recognizing that the shape and pace of any security arrangement, including the ISF concept, will influence broader dynamics across the Middle East, including the prospects for reconstruction, governance reform, and long-term stability.

As the day closes, analysts and officials pressed for clarity on the path forward: how the ISF would be structured, funded, and commanded; how Palestinian security forces would interact with Israeli security authorities and with Egypt; and how civilian protections would be safeguarded in the process of demilitarization and disarmament. The overarching goal remains a stabilized Gaza and a durable, legitimate governance arrangement that can prevent a relapse into spiraling violence, while preserving the security needs and dignity of those living in the region.

In sum, today’s developments reflect a region still grappling with immediate dangers and the fragility of any near-term resolution. Humanitarian concerns, hostage issues, and security imperatives converge with geopolitics as the international community tests proposals for a postwar governance structure in Gaza. The coming days are likely to bring further negotiations and statements as all sides weigh risk, feasibility, and the ultimate aim of reducing suffering while safeguarding the security interests of Israel and its neighbors. This is a moment that will test commitments, patience, and the willingness of international actors to make difficult choices on behalf of a more stable future for the people of the region.

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/liveblog-november-06-2025/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-receives-casket-with-apparent-body-of-hostage-from-red-cross-in-gaza/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkmfl00fjzx
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