HEADLINES
Simiatug bus crash kills twelve
US sanctions Russia Iran could face penalties
Hamas rejects UN Gaza stabilization plan

The time is now 8:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 8:00 PM, this is your hourly news update.

In Ecuador, a deadly bus crash in Simiatug has claimed 12 lives and left 10 people injured. The bus was traveling on an inter-provincial route between Simiatug and Ambato, and the attorney general’s office says investigators are examining the circumstances of the crash.

In US political notes, President Donald Trump said Republicans will sanction nations doing business with Russia, and he indicated that Iran could face similar penalties. He told reporters that any country engaging with Russia would face severe sanctions, a policy he has floated in recent days as part of a broader effort to deter Moscow.

Meanwhile, the United States designated Venezuela’s Cartel de los Solas as a terrorist organization. The State Department asserted that Maduro and his cronies do not represent the legitimate government of Venezuela, signaling a continued effort to isolate actors deemed beyond the pale of international norms.

In the Middle East, a Hamas spokesperson denounced a draft United Nations Security Council proposal regarding an International Stabilization Force in Gaza. Hazem Qassem said the group seeks a resolution that prevents Israel from encroaching on Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem, framing any such mission as a denial of Palestinian rights and sovereignty.

In New York, Jets cornerback Kris Boyd was shot in Manhattan. Mayor Eric Adams said he is praying for Boyd and his loved ones as authorities investigate the incident and work to determine the circumstances and motive.

Turning to cultural and regional studies, a national examination led by Dr. Mijal Bitton at New York University, in partnership with Jewish organizations, looks at Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the United States, offering new insights into their communities and histories.

Three decades after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, Haviv Rettig Gur reflects on what changed in Israeli society and politics, and what did not, asking readers to consider the lasting impact of that period on security, diplomacy, and daily life.

Finally, in a broader cultural segment, a program explores questions around prayer in Jewish life, examining its role, meaning, and varied experiences across communities.

That’s the latest from the newsroom. We’ll continue monitoring developments and bring you updates as they arrive.

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-874119
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-874118
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-874116
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-874115
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-874114
https://toi.li/cX3L28
https://toi.li/ObSOPy
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/the-friendship-remains-the-highest-value/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/3690213/