HEADLINES
Gaza Stabilization Plan Rejected by Hamas
Freed Hostage Reports No Contact From Netanyahu
US Declares Cartel de los Solas Terrorist

The time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Tonight’s hourly update on the Middle East and related global dynamics opens with the Gaza question before the UN Security Council. A Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem, denounced the draft proposal for a Gaza stabilization arrangement, saying the plan would not advance the interests of Palestinians. He asserted that any international force, as envisioned, would amount to a mechanism that would prevent Israel from encroaching on Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem. The statement captures the persistent mistrust between Hamas and international efforts to shape security in Gaza, even as Israel argues that any such framework must strengthen security and prevent arms flows while protecting civilians. Israel’s position remains anchored in a insistence that its security needs be central to any stabilizing arrangement, a stance that shapes how regional and international partners assess compliance, risk, and potential consequences on the ground.

Meanwhile, in personal terms from the conflict’s human dimension, Rom Braslavski, a hostage freed in the recent exchanges, said he has not been contacted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or the national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir since his release. He described himself as suffering severe trauma, saying, “About 10 panic attacks a day.” He added, “I love you, people of Israel,” even as he lamented what he called neglect from the state toward survivors. He also noted that citizen donations have sustained him during recovery. The remarks highlight domestic pressure over how released hostages are supported in the aftermath of captivity and underline the tensions between security imperatives and humanitarian considerations amid ongoing Gaza-related issues.

In the broader policy arena, Washington designated Venezuela’s Cartel de los Solas as a terrorist organization, asserting that Maduro’s government and its cronies do not represent the legitimate state of Venezuela. The move is part of a wider US effort to curb illicit networks that cross regional borders. While not specifically about Israel or the Palestinian territories, such actions influence the international sanctions environment, which in turn can ripple toward regional partners and adversaries who are central to Middle East diplomacy, including Iran and its network of alliances.

Another thread in play is the international sanctions conversation around Russia and Iran. Former President Donald Trump suggested that any country doing business with Russia would face severe sanctions and indicated Iran might be added to that list. The remarks illustrate ongoing debates in Washington over how to pressure Moscow over its actions abroad and how those policy levers might affect Tehran’s strategic calculations and regional alignments. The potential spillover effects matter for Israel’s security calculus, given concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and its regional proxies.

On the diplomacy and climate diplomacy front, Australia has said it will not co-host COP31 with Turkey, arguing that co-hosting isn’t provided for under the procedures of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the option is off the table, even as Turkey has proposed a joint leadership role for next year’s climate summit. The impasse adds a layer of diplomatic tension to a forum that often intersects with energy policy and regional alignments that touch on security considerations in the Middle East. The Pacific Islands Forum has backed Australia’s bid, highlighting regional blocs’ stakes in climate action and governance.

Beyond Gaza and diplomacy, the international calendar continues to remind audiences of the fragility of conflict and the human toll. In Ecuador, a deadly bus crash in Simiatug has left 12 dead and 10 injured on an inter-provincial route to Ambato, underscoring the global reach of tragedy that sits alongside the security challenges in the Middle East. In the United States, authorities were also monitoring a separate incident in New York City after a Jets player, Kris Boyd, was shot in Manhattan, with city officials saying prayers for the player and his loved ones as investigations proceed.

As these threads unfold, observers watch how the Security Council debates the Gaza draft, how Israel navigates the delicate balance between security operations and humanitarian considerations, and how US policy—sanctions, alignment with allies, and pressure on Iran—will shape responses from regional actors and international partners. We will continue to monitor the evolving dynamics of Gaza, the welfare of released hostages, and the broader geopolitical environment that influences Israel’s security posture and regional stability.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/11/australia-rules-out-co-hosting-climate-summit-turkey
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjkmrydgzl
https://toi.li/dGhbPx
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-874115
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-874114