HEADLINES
Ryanair cuts Tel Aviv routes for winter
HRW labels West Bank expulsions war crimes
QME review caps Saudi F-35 sale

The time is now 2:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the hourly news update on the Middle East and related global developments.

Air travel and regional uncertainty are shaping the region’s economic and security calculations. The Irish low‑cost carrier Ryanair has removed Tel Aviv from its route map and canceled its 2025–2026 winter schedule, leaving the fate of Israel’s air links uncertain and highlighting how security and political risk reverberate through international travel plans. In parallel, officials on multiple fronts warn of a potential escalation across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria as Hamas continues to rebuild, coordinating with Hezbollah and Iran to challenge ceasefire dynamics on several fronts.

Human rights and humanitarian concerns are drawing international attention as well. Human Rights Watch has described Israel’s expulsions of Palestinians from three West Bank refugee camps in early 2025 as war crimes and crimes against humanity, detailing thousands displaced, demolished homes, and a ban on return. The report portrays the operation as targeting civilians and calls for accountability and protective measures under international law, while Israeli authorities say demolitions were aimed at preventing militant activity and terrorism. The situation underscores the ongoing volatility in a region where legal interpretations and on‑the‑ground security measures frequently clash with humanitarian norms and civilian protections.

On the strategic front, Washington and Riyadh remain tightly linked as questions about security guarantees and regional balance persist. US officials say any approval of Saudi Arabia’s purchase of F‑35s will come with limits that omit or dilute certain capabilities to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge, a calculation tied to upcoming discussions of the QME, or Qualitative Military Edge, review. The arrangement reflects a long‑standing US objective of maintaining Israeli security advantages while expanding regional interoperability with Gulf partners. Saudi leadership has itself pressed for a binding US pledge to advance a Palestinian state within five years, a demand paired with assurances that any Gaza mission would not rely on Muslim troops in an international force. The statements illustrate how diplomatic shifts in Washington and Riyadh could influence negotiations over the future of the Palestinian issue, as well as broader regional security arrangements.

Political developments in the United States continue to ripple through the region. President Donald Trump has confirmed a Friday Oval Office meeting with New York City Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani, a reminder that domestic political debates in the United States can affect regional diplomacy and security postures even as distant crises unfold. In parallel, observers note that the convergence of US and Saudi diplomacy, alongside internal US political calculations, may shape how quickly and how boldly a new framework for regional security and Palestinian-state discussions takes shape.

There are also echoes of broader geopolitical and domestic dimensions. A Haifa court indicted a school custodian on charges including rape and related offenses against a young security guard, a reminder that social issues intersect with security climates in Israeli society and that rule of law matters continue to be tested at home. International environmental finance narratives continue to surface in the form of Africa‑focused carbon credit programs. An in‑depth investigation found that Liberia’s Blue Carbon agreement and other similar deals have stalled or dissolved, highlighting governance gaps, transparency concerns, and the risks some governments face when leveraging carbon markets in pursuit of climate goals.

In the broader regional context, reports circulating about Iran and Russia indicate continued engagement between the two countries’ scientists and researchers, renewing concerns about nuclear and strategic programming and the potential implications for regional stability and arms control efforts. While such reports warrant careful scrutiny, they contribute to a layered picture of the pressures and uncertainties shaping policy choices across the Middle East and adjacent theaters.

Weather and local conditions offer a brief counterpoint to the tension. In Israel, conditions are hot and dry for the season, with dry air and elevated winds likely in the north and mountainous areas. Coastal towns should expect modest sea conditions, and temperatures across major centers are forecast in the upper 20s to low 30s Celsius, with a warm night ahead in many locales. These conditions can influence daily routines and travel plans as officials monitor security and transport networks.

Looking ahead, the convergence of airline route reconfigurations, human rights concerns, security escalations, and high‑level diplomacy suggests a period of heightened attention to Israel’s security needs and to US policy commitments in the region. The coming weeks are likely to feature intensified discussions around the Palestinian state path, assurances of Israel’s qualitative edge, and an international response to potential multi‑front pressures in Gaza, the West Bank, and beyond. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as events unfold.

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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