HEADLINES
Ain al-Hilweh strike kills 13, Hamas denies
Netanyahu vows multi-front war to disarm Hamas
Washington to push de-escalation in Istanbul talks

The time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. Here is your 6:00 PM hourly update.

Lebanon and Gaza developments dominate the region’s security picture after another day of tense cross-border activity. The Israeli Defense Forces carried out an airstrike in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, Lebanon, killing 13 people according to Lebanese authorities. The IDF said the target was a Hamas training facility used by operatives to plan attacks against Israel. The military described the strike as hitting a building about 60 meters from the Khalid bin al-Walid mosque and said it took steps to minimize civilian harm, including precision munitions, surveillance, and intelligence-led targeting. Hamas, disputing the location and character of the target, said there are no military installations in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon and accused Israel of a brutal attack. Journalists were reportedly kept away from the scene as ambulances evacuated the wounded and dead. Officials in Beirut and the region are noting this as the deadliest Israeli airstrike in Lebanon since the current ceasefire took hold nearly a year ago.

In parallel, the broader security picture remains driven by the Gaza conflict and neighboring fronts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored a determination to press the war against Hamas on all fronts, saying Israel will complete its campaign and work toward disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip. The statement reflects the government’s intent to maintain pressure as it coordinates moves on multiple fronts, even as security concerns continue to shape regional diplomacy and domestic debate in Israel.

Across the Atlantic, US diplomacy continues to unfold with a high-level meeting planned. US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet in Istanbul tomorrow with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and a Hamas delegation, a signal of ongoing American efforts to engage with Hamas leadership amid a complex security and hostage relief context. Washington has repeatedly emphasized the need for de-escalation and the importance of maintaining coordination with regional partners.

In Washington politics, the US House of Representatives advanced a measure to force the release of unclassified Epstein files, a move that could sharpen intra-party dynamics ahead of potential Senate action. President Trump described the Epstein matter as a Democratic hoax and criticized the attention it has drawn, highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding the issue even as lawmakers push for disclosure.

Palestinian and international diplomacy also feature in other threads. The Palestinian Authority welcomed a UN Security Council resolution framed as providing a path to a Palestinian state, while Hamas and Islamic Jihad rejected it, underscoring persistent divisions within Palestinian leadership and among regional actors about the best path forward in the broader peace process and statehood prospects.

On the domestic front in Israel, a Knesset panel overseeing a death-penalty bill for terrorists is weighing amendments that would significantly accelerate punishment, including a provision that a death sentence for killings of Jews be carried out within 90 days with limited avenues for appeal. The proposal has drawn fierce debate, with opponents arguing about fairness, legal safeguards, and broader implications, while supporters argue it reflects the severity of the threat. Historically, Israel’s death penalty has been rarely applied, with one notable case in 1962, and legal pathways for execution are tightly constrained. The ongoing parliamentary discussion signals a climate of heightened security prerogatives among some coalition partners, even as questions about implementation and judicial scrutiny persist.

As events unfold, the region remains volatile, with cross-border incidents, shifting diplomatic contact, and ongoing debates over security and strategy shaping both immediate risks and longer-term policy. We will continue to monitor those developments, including the situation in Ain al-Hilweh, the evolving US approach to Hamas, domestic political dynamics in Israel, and the broader international response to the region’s conflicts.

That is the latest. We will keep you updated with fresh information as it becomes available.

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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