HEADLINES
Hamas reveals location of four hostage remains
Millions of Yemeni children denied schooling
Merkel visits Israel honoring October seventh survivors

The time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. This is the hourly news update on developments in the Middle East and related global affairs.

Authorities in Israel report that Hamas possesses information about the location of the remains of four hostages believed to be deceased. The four are Meny Godard, Staff Sergeant Major Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai national. The disclosure comes as efforts continue to locate and confirm the fate of captives held by Hamas and allied groups.

In Yemen, education and daily life remain severely strained by years of war. At a government school outside Aden, hundreds of children study Arabic grammar under a cloth tent, with limited access to textbooks, electricity, or running water. More than four and a half million Yemeni children have been denied schooling, according to international aid agencies and the United Nations Children’s Fund. The conflict has destroyed thousands of schools and disrupted teacher salaries, contributing to a generation at risk of illiteracy. Saudi-backed development programs have funded reconstruction and teacher training in government-controlled areas, such as Aden, offering a brighter contrast to dilapidated facilities elsewhere. Yet the overall educational system remains fragile, caged by frequent power outages, water shortages, and the pull of ongoing violence. The United Nations and humanitarian groups warn that without sustained aid and stability, progress in education and wider development will be hard earned.

On the diplomatic front, former German chancellor Angela Merkel visited Israel, touring the site of the Nova music festival attack and the town of Nahal Oz. She met survivors of the October seventh attacks and was honored by the Weizmann Institute for her diplomatic legacy and steadfast support for Israel. Her visit occurs amid ongoing debate about the Gaza war and its conduct, but Merkel’s trip underscores enduring international attention to Israel’s security and resilience and to the importance of international solidarity with Israeli civilians and institutions.

Domestically, Israel announced an end to emergency draft orders while reservist grants will continue through twenty twenty six. Finance ministry officials said a new framework would cap annual reserve duty at roughly sixty to seventy days under standard mobilization rules, while payments and allowances for reservists would remain in place. The change aims to stabilize long‑term planning for defense readiness without abandoning the capacity to respond to emergencies.

In the international arena, Israel faced questions at the United Nations about reports of torture and ill treatment of Palestinians, particularly detainees during the Gaza period since the October seventh attacks. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva rejected the allegations as disinformation, defending the country’s obligations under international law. The Committee against Torture signaled it would continue to examine concerns raised by various sources, with a view to releasing findings later in the month. The exchange highlights enduring tensions over detention standards and the conduct of all parties in the conflict.

In legal and security governance, Israel’s new head of the domestic security service faced a petition challenging his appointment. Former senior officials and non-governmental organizations argued that he lacked relevant experience and carried controversial religious and political views. The government asserted that the appointment followed a thorough process and should not be obstructed, with the attorney general backing that position. A court hearing is expected in the near future.

Beyond Israel’s immediate borders, regional stability remains a central concern. Observers note that the Israel–Jordan border has remained quiet, reflecting ongoing cooperation and the broader effort to maintain calm amid regional volatility. This dynamic is part of a larger pattern in which security, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief intersect in ways that affect civilians and strategic calculations alike.

In a related international development, Milan prosecutors opened what could be the first major criminal case linking wealthy foreign travelers to the practice of paying to shoot civilians during the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s. The investigation, if it proceeds, would broaden attention to historic war crimes and the accountability that follows in the aftermath of conflict across regions.

As this hour closes, the convergence of security imperatives, humanitarian needs, and international diplomacy continues to shape the situation. Governments and civil society alike are balancing the imperative to protect civilians with the realities of ongoing violence and instability. We will monitor these developments and provide further context and clarity as events unfold.

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/middle-east/article-873681
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/11/where-school-tent-yemeni-kids-learn-without-classrooms-textbooks
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjhrs6ge11g
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkipupzezx
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-grilled-at-un-over-reports-claiming-systematic-and-widespread-torture-of-palestinians/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/zini-asks-court-to-reject-petition-against-his-appointment-from-ex-shin-bet-chiefs/
https://toi.li/V9vI7I
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkdnc3glwl