HEADLINES
US Saudi Israel sign nuclear energy pact
Witkoff meets Hamas to preserve ceasefire
UN Gaza plan presses Hamas disarm

The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. Here is the latest from the Middle East and key US developments shaping the region tonight.

Significant US-Saudi-Israeli security and energy cooperation moved forward this week as Washington and Riyadh announced a civil nuclear energy partnership along with a major defense sales package. The White House described a joint declaration on civil nuclear energy that would lay the groundwork for a decades-long, multi‑billion dollar partnership with strict nonproliferation safeguards. In addition, the White House confirmed a Defense Department package that includes future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets, part of a broader tightening of security ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit. The announcements reflect a deepening alignment on regional security and energy interests, even as public debates continue over the best path to regional stability and a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.

On the diplomatic front, Washington’s special envoy to the Gaza ceasefire, Steve Witkoff, is set to meet in Istanbul with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya to discuss efforts to maintain the Gaza ceasefire. This meeting would be Witkoff’s second engagement with Hamas leaders after prior discussions with Hamas’s ceasefire negotiating team, conducted in the hours before a broader agreement was announced in Egypt on October 9. The aim, American officials say, is to keep direct lines of communication open with Hamas to manage the ceasefire and prevent a relapse into wider fighting, even as other channels through Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey remain in play.

In parallel, a report circulating from Hebrew-language outlets describes a United Nations Security Council resolution related to Gaza that Israeli officials are viewing through a security lens. The summary describes provisions that would press Hamas to disarm, establish a perimeter around Gaza, and allow exits for civilians, while not calling for the displacement of Israeli settlements. The summary also references elements drawn from the Trump-era framework for the region and emphasizes governance and reform conditions for the Palestinian Authority. Hamas and Palestinian factions have reacted with skepticism or denial to various details, while Israel’s leadership has framed the resolution as aligning with its security priorities and the imperative of limiting Hamas’s capabilities. Diplomats note that practical implementation and enforcement will be central questions if such a resolution advances.

Back in Israel, prosecutors announced they intend to indict Beersheba deputy mayor Shimon Tubul on charges of assault related to a September 2024 incident at a gas station near the Gaza perimeter. Security footage shows Tubul striking two Bedouin workers and threatening them with his weapon while in uniform. Tubul, who was on IDF reserve duty at the time, admitted partial involvement after initial denials and a later claim that he acted to prevent a ramming attack, a claim for which no supporting evidence has been provided. A hearing will determine whether the charges proceed, even as Tubul’s past public statements have drawn sharp criticism from legal observers and opposition voices who say his conduct reflects a broader pattern of incendiary rhetoric.

In Washington, a major domestic development also unfolded that has implications for the US political landscape and for those monitoring accountability measures related to the Epstein case. The US Senate cleared a House-passed bill ordering the release of federal files on Jeffrey Epstein, the financier long linked to allegations of sex trafficking. The measure moves to the President for signature, and Epstein’s accusers welcomed the move as a step toward greater transparency. The episode underscores ongoing political and legal currents surrounding the case, even as potential policy debates in the Republican and Democratic camps continue to play out in parallel.

As background to these events, this week also saw broader disclosures about US-Israel relations and regional security architecture. Washington’s actions come amid ongoing discussions about the future shape of the region’s security framework, including the possible expansion of security and defense cooperation with key partners and the management of Gaza-related humanitarian and security challenges. At the same time, the long arc of US foreign policy—balancing security commitments with nonproliferation goals and regional diplomacy—continues to influence how Israel, the Palestinian territories, and their international partners pursue stability and a durable ceasefire.

A historical reminder also arrives this week: November 22 marks the 62nd anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, a milestone observed worldwide as a moment that reshaped international politics and US leadership in the decades that followed.

That is the latest as events unfold across diplomacy, security, and accountability. We will continue to monitor developments and bring you further details as they become 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.

SOURCES
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https://www.timesofisrael.com/prosecutors-set-to-indict-beershebas-deputy-mayor-for-assaulting-bedouin-men/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-874390
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-874389
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-november-19-2025/
https://t.me/newssil/180431