HEADLINES
Saudi Normalization Looms as F-35 Sale Considered
Ukrainian Navy Destroys Russian Unit at Syvash
Israel's First Robotic Closed-Abdomen Pregnancy Surgery

The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. This is the 10:00 PM update with a reporting snapshot shaped by events across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, and it speaks to security concerns, diplomacy, and culture from multiple angles.

In Washington, President Donald Trump says Saudi Arabia could join the Abraham Accords in the near term and indicates a US consideration of a defense deal involving the sale of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets. He spoke as Riyadh prepares for a White House visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which officials expect discussions on economic and security ties and a pathway toward closer normalization with Israel. The discussions come with a Pentagon intelligence assessment that warns such a sale could risk the transfer of sensitive technology, a concern underscored by US observers as Washington weighs how to balance allies’ defense needs with technology safeguards. In parallel, the administration continues to advocate for a Gaza ceasefire it calls fragile, and it has pressed for broad backing at the United Nations Security Council for a US peace plan, warning that a refusal to back the measure could carry real consequences for civilians on the ground.

In the Black Sea, the Ukrainian Navy reports it destroyed a Russian special unit stationed at the Syvash drilling rig, part of ongoing operations to contest Russian forces in maritime areas linked to energy infrastructure. Kyiv says the strikes killed a Russian anti-tank crew and damaged reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities as part of broader efforts to disrupt Russian command and control along routes used to project power in the region. Moscow has not independently verified these claims; the incident adds to a hardening of tensions in the Black Sea arena, where military activity has intensified in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine.

A different current is evident in cultural and political discourse. Fifty years after the General Assembly adopted a resolution controversially labeling Zionism as racism, opinion writers and commentators continue to revisit debates about the meaning of Zionism, anti-Zionism, and their impact on international dialogue. The conversation remains deeply polarized, reflecting enduring disagreements over national self-determination, anti-Semitism, and the political uses of history in shaping policy and public opinion worldwide.

In Israel, a milestone in medical innovation was announced from Rabin Medical Center: doctors performed what is described as the world’s first robotic closed-abdomen surgery on a pregnant patient. The procedure involved a multidisciplinary team and aims to minimize surgical invasiveness while allowing the pregnancy to continue to term. The operation underscores Israel’s ongoing emphasis on cutting-edge medical technologies and the potential implications for maternal-fetal care in complex cases.

Another split thread within Israeli society highlights social change alongside enduring restrictions. Paniz Faryoussefi made history as Iran’s first woman conductor of a philharmonic orchestra, conducting a performance in Tehran that drew attention to shifting norms in a country where women’s participation in public life is tightly controlled. Observers note that changes in social policy have not been uniform and are coupled with ongoing vigilance by authorities toward dissent. In the concert’s audience, some women appeared without head coverings, a sign of broader tensions between cultural expression and state expectations. The event occurred amid substantive debates within Iran about women’s rights and public life, alongside years of regional conflict and diplomacy that influence cultural exchanges.

On the security front, Damascus saw another night of tension as rocket fire hit a neighborhood in the capital. State media report several people were wounded after two Katyusha rockets were launched toward central areas, with authorities investigating the source. The attack comes amid a broader context of intermittent violence and the long-standing volatility that has characterized Syria since the civil war began, even as control of the capital remains fragile and security forces maintain a visible presence.

Back in the United States, domestic politics continued to influence the regional conversation. President Trump announced he is weighing a Saudi request to purchase additional F-35s, signaling a possible deepening of military ties as the two countries align on strategic issues in the region. Separately, a federal judge ruled that the University of California cannot be required to accept funding cuts or sanctions based on accusations of antisemitism on campus, a decision that aligns with ongoing debates over academic freedom, campus climate, and how to balance anti-discrimination commitments with the handling of criticism and advocacy. In other political developments, Trump said he was withdrawing his endorsement of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, highlighting how intra-party disagreements over policy and rhetoric can intersect with foreign and defense policy discussions. Public security and diplomacy remain entwined as the administration seeks a unified stance on Gaza and broader regional peace efforts, while maintaining attention to domestic policy disputes that can shape how the United States engages with allies and adversaries alike.

In the same frame, US officials continue to urge global leaders to back a United Nations measure aimed at stabilizing Gaza, arguing that backing the proposal is essential to preventing a renewal of broader conflict. The administration has warned that deviations from the road map it presents could carry significant humanitarian costs for civilians caught in the crossfire and for those dependent on aid corridors and protective arrangements.

As the world looks ahead, the converging threads of diplomacy, security, and cultural transformation remind us that the region’s future will hinge on how leaders balance strategic interests with humanitarian considerations, how allies coordinate on defense and technology, and how voices from studios to streets—across genders and generations—shape the public sphere in these challenging times.

That is all for now. We will continue to monitor developments and bring you updates 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/international/article-873896
https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-873101
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-873812
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-873894
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/pregnancy-and-birth/article-873895
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/11/irans-first-woman-orchestra-conductor-inspires
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-november-15-2025/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hknmfhre11x
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-hes-weighing-saudi-request-to-purchase-f-35s-they-wanna-buy-a-lot-of-jets/