HEADLINES
North Korea fires ballistic missile at sea
Activist deported from Israel over olive harvest
US strikes drug-trafficking vessel, three dead

The time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Here is the hourly update on developments shaping the Middle East and related international dynamics.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the sea, according to South Korea and Japan. The move follows a series of short-range missile tests last month and comes amid broader regional and international tensions. There were no reports of damage or casualties, but the launch adds to concerns about the stability of security commitments in East Asia and the wider strategic posture of Pyongyang.

In the West Bank, tensions involving Jewish activists and Israeli authorities have drawn international attention. Leila Stillman-Utterback, a Vermont native, was deported from Israel and banned after taking part in a Palestinian olive harvest. The case underscores ongoing friction between Israeli security policies and international Jewish activism calling for different approaches to the conflict.

An editorial about Israel’s security operations emphasizes that the effectiveness of the Israel Security Forces will be judged by tangible steps toward Hamas disarmament and the dismantling of its tunnel infrastructure. The piece reflects a widely held Israeli security perspective that disarming Hamas remains a prerequisite for lasting stability, while observers note the broader implications for regional peace efforts.

Editor’s notes in the same coverage highlight ongoing debates about Israel’s legal and political institutions, stressing accountability for wrongdoing and the preservation of institutions seen as central to the country’s democratic framework. The discussion signals continued domestic conversations about how to balance security concerns with legal norms.

In broader security news, the United States said it carried out another strike against a vessel suspected of supporting drug trafficking. The Pentagon described the operation as targeting networks tied to illicit activities at sea, with three men reported killed. The action reflects ongoing US efforts to confront transnational crime and terrorism-linked funding streams, including near the Caribbean region.

Qatar is reported by The Guardian to have paid private intelligence firms to discredit a woman who accused ICC prosecutor Karim Khan of sexual abuse. The investigation noted no verified link between the operation and the Israeli government. The Guardian also details the ICC’s pursuit of warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant issued last year, and notes ongoing UN investigations into the matter. Israel has repeatedly defended its actions in Gaza as consistent with international law, while critics argue the Palestinian conflict demands greater accountability and transparent scrutiny of all parties.

Ahead of a planned White House visit, the UN Security Council moved to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in a vote that underscored shifting regional alignments. The decision came as Washington prepared for discussions with US leadership, and it reflects the complex diplomacies at play as regional actors reassess alliances and leverage in the broader fight against extremism.

On the ground in Europe, security and political tensions intersected with the Israel-Gaza crisis as a Europa League match in Birmingham drew heavy police presence and protests. Maccabi Tel Aviv faced significant security measures and both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside the venue, with several arrests reported in clashes linked to the broader debate over Israel’s policies. The event illustrates how international sports forums can become flashpoints for advocacy and confrontation in real-time.

As these developments unfold, governments and international organizations weigh security concerns, legal norms, and the prospects for diplomacy. The converging threads—regime behavior in East Asia, domestic and international responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the use of legal and military instruments on the global stage—shape a complex landscape where actions in one region echo across others. This is the latest, and we will continue to follow these stories as they evolve.

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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