HEADLINES
Declassified Hamas Iran links reveal aid diverted
Israel seals Egypt border to curb drones
Israel Saudi talks advance under US mediation

The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the International Desk with a 3:00 AM update. Overnight developments in the Middle East and beyond continue to shape security, diplomacy, and public discussion across continents.

Israel’s military released declassified documents alleging Hamas maintained links with Iran, with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and Al Jazeera, and that humanitarian aid intended for civilians in Gaza was diverted during the ongoing war. The Israeli claim is that the material shows enduring connections between Hamas and these actors and that aid intended for civilians did not reach those in need. Officials emphasize that the disclosures are part of an effort to illuminate the group’s broader network and operations as the conflict persists.

In parallel, Israel announced a closed military zone along the border with Egypt to curb the smuggling of drones and other weapons. Defense and security officials described this move as part of a broader campaign to counter the use of unmanned aircraft in smuggling operations into Israel, and to tighten control of the border environment. The decision includes changing engagement protocols and coordinating with security agencies to deter and interdict illicit activity linked to weaponry and smuggling networks operating near the border.

On the human dimension of the conflict, the remains of a hostage returned to Israel overnight were identified as Joshua Luito Mollel, a 21-year-old Tanzanian national who was killed in the October seventh attacks and whose body was later held in Gaza. He is among the foreign nationals who were among the hostages seized in the conflict. Among the seven hostages still held in Gaza, two are foreign nationals: Joshua Luito Mollel from Tanzania and Rintalak Suttisak from Thailand, who worked in Israel’s farming sector. The fate of the others remains uncertain.

In a separate development, a hostage survivor who has returned home quietly removed his own face sticker from an ambulance operated by Magen David Adom, a symbolic moment reflecting resilience and the ongoing emotional toll of captivity for individuals and communities.

Security and criminal justice updates from the West Bank and beyond include reports of coordinated operations in the Ramallah market where Israeli forces arrested a terror suspect wanted for involvement in multiple shooting attacks against Israeli communities and security forces. The operation, conducted in daylight in a busy market setting, underscores ongoing efforts to disrupt extremist activity in areas under Palestinian Authority administration and contested control.

Hamas and other Palestinian groups continue to produce propaganda alongside battlefield reporting. Hamas released aerial footage of graves in Gaza described by the group as undisclosed graves, a move seen by observers as part of information warfare designed to shape international perception amid the fighting and humanitarian concerns.

Diaspora and political dynamics also feature in overnight reporting. In New York City, Jerusalemites and others react with skepticism to the election of Zohran Mamdani, the city’s new mayor, citing concerns about his past associations with groups linked to Hamas and the implications for Israel-Diaspora relations. Demonstrating the triangulation of public opinion, security considerations, and political rhetoric, this development adds another layer to international perceptions of the conflict and its broader political context.

Diplomatic developments of consequence involve a possible path toward direct talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with mediation and support from the United States. Reports indicate discussions are advancing toward establishing formal channels, with expectations of an official announcement during a forthcoming visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington. The talks are framed in the context of a broader regional realignment and security coordination, including potential arms deals and defense arrangements. Central issues include Saudi demands for a nuclear capability on Saudi soil and the broader question of how Palestinian representation and Gaza’s postwar reconstruction should be handled. Israel has signaled that Hamas must be disarmed as a condition for any substantive normalization, aligning with the general American and regional caution that any steps be tied to security obligations and governance arrangements. US officials have described momentum toward rapprochement as plausible, while noting that a complete settlement or fast-moving normalization remains contingent on multiple unresolved questions. The discourse also touches on the potential sale of advanced aircraft and broader defense cooperation, reflecting the strategic convergence of concerns over Iran and regional stability amid shifting alliances.

In a related note, regional attention remains fixed on accountability and security. A number of media outlets and analysts continue to assess the implications of declassified intelligence, border security measures, hostage recoveries, and the evolving security architecture surrounding the Gaza conflict, including the possibility of multinational arrangements along contested frontiers and the broader implications for international law, humanitarian access, and civilian safety.

This morning also brings a reminder of the human dimension that threads through these events. A number of Jewish sites have recently faced vandalism in several locations, underscoring the continuing tensions within diaspora communities and the ongoing need for vigilance, dialogue, and reporting that distinguishes violence and intimidation from legitimate political discourse.

Overall, the landscape remains highly fluid. Israeli authorities emphasize security imperatives rooted in preventing Hamas disarmament and countering weapon smuggling, while diplomatic channels explore pathways to normalization and broader regional alignment under international auspices. As the region’s actors weigh immediate security needs against longer-term political settlements, the international community will watch closely for evidence of progress, or the potential derailment of fragile arrangements by outbreaks of violence or diplomacy shortfalls. This is the latest from the front lines, the diplomatic arena, and the corridors of power, at three in the morning.

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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