HEADLINES
Jakarta mosque blast injures dozens, teen suspect
Israel IDs Lior Rudaeff amid hostage crisis
Cunio family rebuilds after Nir Oz release

The time is now 3:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Indonesia’s security authorities said explosions at a Jakarta mosque during Friday prayers could have been an attack, with dozens injured and a 17-year-old student suspected as the perpetrator. Police said investigators have found possible explosive powder at the scene and are pursuing leads as the investigation continues.

In Israel and the broader Gaza context, officials confirmed the identification of Lior Rudaeff, the Nir Yitzhak resident who was killed by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 assault and later brought back to Israel under a deal after more than two years. The National Center of Forensic Medicine completed the identification, and the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated that Hamas must fulfill its commitments and return all hostages. Five abducted soldiers’ bodies remain in Gaza as part of the ongoing exchanges and negotiations surrounding hostages.

Turning to the families affected by the Gaza war, the Cunio family from Kibbutz Nir Oz has a new chapter. Eight members of the extended Cunio family were taken hostage on October 7, 2023. Two brothers, David and Ariel Cunio, have been released and returned to Israel with their families, joining their parents and siblings who remained nearby. The family will not return to Nir Oz, choosing to relocate, as they rebuild their lives in Israel. David and Ariel have begun the process of reintegration, with both expressing relief at being back with loved ones; a wedding among family members, including Arbel Yehoud and Ariel Cunio, is in the planning horizon. The release has brought a sense of renewed connection for the family, even as they acknowledge the losses suffered by their community and friends.

IDF and Red Cross updates also feature in the latest reports. The IDF said a coffin of a deceased hostage has been transferred into Red Cross custody and is on the way to IDF troops in Gaza, with Hamas urged to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to honor commitments to released captives and their families.

On the security front beyond Israel, Turkish authorities say a Turkish national, 38-year-old Ali Bayhan, was suspected of making terroristic threats against multiple elected officials, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and against a Tallahassee synagogue. Reports indicate Bayhan was killed by Florida police as the investigation proceeded, highlighting ongoing concerns about threats to Jewish communities and political leaders abroad.

Across the broader US–Israel security relationship, there were no new policy announcements in these reports. Observers note the continuing emphasis on safeguarding civilian populations, advancing hostage negotiations, and maintaining allied coordination, while urging restraint and adherence to international humanitarian norms.

That is the latest from these developments as they shape regional security, human stories on the ground, and international responses.

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.jpost.com/international/article-873132
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https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-873016
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872998
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-873130
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1i5vw31zx
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-873128
https://t.me/StandWithUsBreakingNews/7069
https://t.me/ILtoday/15766
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hostage-mom-sylvia-cunio-says-unreal-joy-to-have-her-sons-home-but-wont-return-to-nir-oz/