HEADLINES
Gush Etzion attack kills 71-year-old
US cancels talks with Lebanon army chief
Saudi prince wants Abraham Accords two-state solution

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 2:00 PM, this is the latest hourly update on the Middle East with emphasis on Israeli security and the interests of Jewish communities abroad.

A deadly attack at the Gush Etzion junction south of Jerusalem left an Israeli civilian dead, Aharon Cohen, 71, and several others injured as security forces confronted the assailants. Early reporting indicates two attackers were killed during the incident, with authorities continuing the investigation and reviewing security procedures at one of the country’s busiest transit points.

In Washington, the United States canceled planned meetings with Lebanon’s army chief, General Rudolf Hachem, after a Lebanese military statement accused Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty near border areas. The move comes amid a long-running US effort to support Lebanon’s armed forces, and it occurs as United Nations and regional observers seek to prevent border escalations between Israel and Lebanon, where Hezbollah remains a central concern. UNIFIL continues to monitor crossings and the southern front, where Israeli strikes have periodically targeted militants and weapons infrastructure.

Israel’s security planning received a tangible push as the defense ministry’s director general led an inter-ministerial delegation to the Jordanian border. The mission is part of a broader five-year plan to strengthen the eastern front, including security arrangements, settlement considerations, and critical infrastructure. Officials say the focus is on reducing vulnerabilities across a wider front and coordinating with Jordan to prevent spillover from regional tensions.

Diplomatic signals from the region show cautious momentum on normalization. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told aides that Riyadh wants to participate in the Abraham Accords, while also stressing the need for a clear path to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Officials say such statements reflect a willingness to engage, even as disagreements over final-status terms remain a central hinge in regional diplomacy.

In broader US policy discussions, President Donald Trump noted in discussions with Saudi leaders that the United States remains committed to security cooperation in the region. He indicated that conversations included potential arms sales, including F-35 jets, while emphasizing that his family business operates independently of his presidency. The exchange underscored a continuing dynamic in which US-Israel security interests align with Gulf states’ modernization and deterrence goals.

Back home in Israel, the communications policy debate moved into its second phase as Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi announced stage two of his broadcasting reform plan. The proposal seeks to reshape the radio market, drawing reactions from political rivals and legal experts who warn of potential impacts on public access to information and media pluralism.

Violence in the West Bank persisted as authorities reported the arrest of two men suspected of assaulting an Arab bus driver near the Modi'in Illit area. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about assaults on transit workers and the broader security pressures facing Israeli and Palestinian communities in the region.

On the international antisemitism front, a neo-Nazi leader in the United States pleaded guilty to plotting to poison Jewish children, a reminder of the continued threat to Jewish communities abroad. In Cannes, French authorities detained a man after he livestreamed threats to blow up a local synagogue, underscoring the global risk environment that Jewish communities navigate in their daily lives.

Regionally, Turkey announced that President Tayyip Erdogan would hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Ankara, highlighting how the conflict in Europe intersects with regional security calculations and alliances.

In cultural diplomacy, Israel’s president hosted nearly 200 German influencers to reinforce ties and broaden international understanding of Israel beyond the conflict narrative, reflecting an ongoing push to deepen people-to-people connections with key partners.

As these developments unfold, the overarching arc remains clear: security remains the defining priority for Israel and neighboring states, while diplomacy persists as the channel through which a more stable regional order might emerge. The situation on the Gush Etzion front, the Lebanon border dynamic, and the broader calculus around normalization and regional alignments will shape the tempo of the coming days. We will continue to monitor these threads closely and report with the clarity and balance that audiences expect. This is the day’s update, reporting on the facts with attention to security imperatives, regional diplomacy, and the needs of Jewish communities around the world.

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.

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