HEADLINES
- Gaza water restored after staff freed
- First international Gaza force planned for 2026
- Saudi crown prince visit spurs defense deals

The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At three o’clock this afternoon, here are the latest developments shaping the region and beyond.

Gaza water services resumed after a staff member was freed. The Abdul Salam Yassin Company, which operates major desalination plants serving Gaza, said services have been restored and that the employee is healthy. The company apologized for a “misunderstanding” tied to the detention, and Hamas authorities have not commented on the incident. Clean water remains scarce in Gaza, where much of the water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged in the war, and fuel for generators to power pumps has been in short supply due to delivery restrictions. The company operates three large desalination plants and dozens of water trucks serving hundreds of thousands of residents.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon target Hezbollah infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Forces said it launched a wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah weapons depots in Deir Kifa, Shehour, Tayr Felsay and Aynata, describing the depots as part of Hezbollah’s rocket capability placed within civilian areas. The army said these strikes were conducted after warnings to civilians to evacuate, and it cited Hezbollah efforts to rebuild infrastructure in the Beit Lif area as a violation of ceasefire understandings. Separately, a drone strike earlier in the week killed a Hezbollah operative in the town of at-Tiri; Lebanese media reported injuries to a civilian including a school bus in the vicinity. The United States continues to call for adherence to the ceasefire mechanism and for all sides to prevent civilian harm, while Lebanon faces pressure to curb Hezbollah’s rearmament as part of broader regional discussions.

A first international force to Gaza is planned for early 2026, with initial training yet to begin and funding efforts ongoing. Officials say the deployment aims to support security and humanitarian operations, but the scope and mandate remain under negotiation as international partners weigh risks and responsibilities in the enclave.

US-Saudi relations and security pledges feature prominently in Washington. A White House visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted a broad package of deals and cooperation. President Trump announced negotiations that could expand Saudi investment in the United States and signaled continued support for advanced defense systems, including discussions over F-35 transfers. The two leaders underscored their long-standing friendship, with Trump praising reforms in Saudi Arabia while noting that questions about human rights remained. Saudi officials repeated that Riyadh supports a credible path to Palestinian statehood as a condition for closer normalization with Israel under the Abraham Accords framework. The visit also included talks on a civilian nuclear relationship and a potential broader security agreement, though specifics were not immediately disclosed.

US lawmakers scrutinize a civil nuclear energy agreement with Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed during the visit, is intended to facilitate peaceful nuclear cooperation but faces concerns about safeguards to prevent enrichment or reprocessing that could lead to weapons capabilities. Senators and experts urged that any deal include the “gold standard” provisions, enhanced inspections, and robust verification mechanisms. Proponents argue the agreement could support peaceful energy goals and diversify regional partnerships, while critics warn that insufficient safeguards could complicate nonproliferation efforts in the Middle East.

Germany moves to strip citizenship from Hamas supporters. Germany’s interior minister voiced support for removing citizenship from a naturalized individual found to have supported Hamas, arguing that allegiance to Germany’s democratic order must be demonstrated. The case has underscored debates over immigration, integration, and Germany’s commitment to Jewish life and security in the wake of regional tensions and rising concern about extremism.

Sudan’s conflict and US engagement. President Trump said he would begin working to end the war in Sudan at the request of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi leader has pressed for US involvement to broker a ceasefire as fighting continues between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, with casualties and mass displacement mounting. Washington has signaled renewed attention to Sudan as regional security and maritime access near the Red Sea are affected by the upheaval.

Harvard and OpenAI issues linked to Epstein controversies. Harvard University reopened an inquiry into historical ties between its leadership and Jeffrey Epstein, following the public release of documents. Former university president Larry Summers resigned from the OpenAI board amid the fallout, saying he would continue teaching while the university reviews the matter. The developments add to broader concerns about ethics and accountability among high-profile figures in higher education and tech governance.

Hostages and messages of hope. A delegation of freed hostages who were held in Gaza for two years is set to visit the White House, where one participant, Eitan Mor, will present a Hanukkah dreidel to President Trump as a symbol of resilience and hope. Family and community leaders describe such gestures as reminders that the most meaningful victories arise from the strength and unity of families and supporters.

Regional and humanitarian context. In the broader picture, the region continues to wrestle with the balance between security measures and civilian protections. Israeli actions described as defensive responses to security threats persist alongside humanitarian challenges in Gaza and across Lebanon. International actors emphasize the need for credible ceasefires, accountability for violations, and pathways toward stability and a sustainable political process in the context of broader US and European concerns about proliferation, rights, and regional security.

That is the latest snapshot of the evolving situation as of now.

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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