HEADLINES
US outlines three Gaza zones for reconstruction
Fifteen bodies handed over in Gaza swap
Damascus strike wounds woman in Mezzah

The time is now 3:08 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good afternoon. Here is the latest hourly update on events in the Middle East and related international responses.

A US plan described in a recent report envisions a long‑term division of Gaza into zones. One area would be controlled by Israel, another would be overseen by international forces during a reconstruction period, and a third red zone would remain largely unusable. The proposal reflects continuing debates about how governance, security, and humanitarian needs could be addressed in a post‑conflict Gaza, with potential implications for Israeli security arrangements, Palestinian governance, and international engagement in reconstruction efforts.

In Damascus, a missile strike damaged a building and wounded a woman, according to Sky News Arabia. Reports indicate an explosion had been heard in the Mezzah district prior to the attack, and authorities were assessing the incident as investigators review footage and collect evidence. The event underscores the fragile security dynamics neighboring Israel and the broader region, where cross‑border incidents continue to pose risks.

An opinion piece notes that a Hebrew University professor who was suspended for remarks deemed by some to cross a line on antisemitism is taking a new academic post at Princeton University. Professor Asa Shalhoub‑Kevorkian is described as preparing to teach a course titled “Gender, Reproduction and Genocide,” highlighting ongoing debates about academic freedom, campus discourse, and the intersection of gender studies with historical and geopolitical sensitivities.

In Washington, US envoy Steve Witkoff is reported to plan a meeting with Khalil al‑Hayya, the chief negotiator for Hamas, according to The New York Times. The discussions would occur in the context of ongoing ceasefire implementation and broader questions about hostage releases, governance, and disarmament. The engagement signals a continuing American effort to influence negotiations and reduce violence in the short term, even as regional actors pursue their own strategic calculations.

A documentary project around the Oct. 7 attacks follows the lives of 12th‑grade survivors from a southern Gaza border community who formed a temporary school arrangement after displacement. The film, described as “Always Together,” tracks nine months of leadership and resilience as students petitioned authorities to allow them to finish their final year together. The narrative frames the trauma of that day—when a large number of Israelis were killed or abducted—and the ongoing challenges of displacement, education, and community healing. The film’s subjects and their families faced repeated shocks, including losses within the Be’eri community and the broader kibbutz network, while the students’ resolve became a symbol of continuity for many in the Jewish community abroad seeking connection to Israel.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned a Syrian Culture Ministry celebration tied to October 7 events, which was scheduled for the Aleppo Library. The condemnation reflects ongoing tensions over how the conflict is remembered and commemorated in neighboring countries, and it underscores how cultural diplomacy can become entangled in wider security and political disputes.

In the diaspora, voices from the United Kingdom portray a climate of rising hostility to Jews, with Israel advocacy figures discussing the pressures of anti‑Israel sentiment abroad. The commentary highlights the tension between free expression and concerns about anti‑Semitic incidents, as well as the challenges faced by Jewish communities navigating public discourse in Europe.

Within Israel, debate continues over media and national security. An opinion piece questions the role of a national radio service in a democracy and whether it should be closed, reflecting broader conversations about media independence, political criticism, and the responsibilities of public broadcasters during wartime and political strain.

A separate weather‑related incident saw several groups rescued from the Yarkon River after a severe weather event, with rescuers pulling people from rising floodwaters and moving them to safety. The episode illustrates how extreme weather can compound stress in a region already navigating security and humanitarian challenges.

In Tehran, hundreds gathered at a northern mosque to pray for rain as Iran faces one of its worst droughts in decades. Officials report that rainfall in the capital is at its lowest in a century, raising concerns about water supply as reservoirs drain and some provinces experience shortages. The government has implemented water restrictions in parts of the capital as authorities warn of the potential for broader impacts if rainfall remains sparse.

Another notable development concerns Hanukkah celebrations in Amsterdam. After a dispute over the participation of a prominent Israeli cantor associated with the Israeli military, a compromise was reached: a public family concert will take place without the cantor, while the cantor will perform at two private concerts later that evening for ticketed guests. Organizers and officials described the agreement as a way to honor religious tradition while addressing concerns raised by critics who linked the cantor’s involvement to the war in Gaza. The controversy drew reactions from Jewish and non‑Jewish communities, reflecting tensions over Israel’s policies and cultural expression within European cities.

Turning to the Gaza ceasefire framework, Israel has continued to participate in a process that involves the transfer of remains and hostages as part of a broader 20‑point plan. In the latest development, Israel handed over 15 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, completing a phase of exchanges tied to the ceasefire terms. The bodies were identified as those of individuals killed in Gaza who had been held by Palestinian groups, while the ceasefire framework also involves the return of Israeli hostages and the exchange of remains based on a reciprocal arrangement. Gaza health authorities say that identifying remains is complicated by limited DNA testing capabilities, and hundreds of bodies have been recovered overall. The exchange process is connected to ongoing discussions about stabilizing the region, establishing an international presence to support governance, and disarming militant groups as part of the plan’s longer‑term goals. Displaced families in Gaza face a difficult winter as they shelter in damaged buildings and temporary shelters, with many expressing concern about livelihood and safety as rains begin.

More broadly, the ceasefire framework includes steps toward forming an international stabilization force and establishing a technocratic Palestinian government, anticipated to assume responsibilities for civil administration and policing in areas currently under dispute. The plan also calls for disarming Hamas as a condition of deeper normalization and reconstruction, a point that remains a core issue in negotiations among regional and international actors.

Separately, the family of Meny Godard, the Israeli hostage whose body was handed over as part of the ceasefire process, issued a statement of closure upon his return to Israel. Officials at Khan Yunis described the handover of Godard’s remains as part of the ongoing exchange program, as hostages continue to be freed and remains returned in line with the terms of the ceasefire arrangement. The exchange has brought the total number of Palestinian remains recovered to about 330, with roughly 95 identified and 27 unidentified interred in Gaza at this stage. The ongoing cycle of exchanges underscores both the human costs of the conflict and the international effort to manage a fragile pause in hostilities, even as winter conditions complicate life for those displaced.

In another regional development, a probe has been opened in South Africa into an NGO that helped some Palestinians reach Johannesburg. Questions are being raised about entry procedures and oversight, highlighting how humanitarian movements linked to the conflict encounter regulatory scrutiny far from the theater of operations.

Across these developments, US policy continues to balance security concerns with humanitarian access, and American officials say they remain engaged with regional partners to support a sustainable route toward stability. Israel remains focused on security, including the protection of its civilian population and the integrity of its borders, while advocating for accountability and a credible path toward governance and reconstruction in Gaza. As the winter season unfolds, the region’s communities watch closely for signals about how and when broader peace and stabilization might take hold, and how international efforts will shape the security environment well into the coming year.

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-873888
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-873889
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/a