HEADLINES
- Israel forms security-first Gaza policy unit
- Hamas tunnel under UNRWA compound uncovered
- Iran ready for nuclear talks with US

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This hour’s briefing on the Middle East and related global signals focuses on security, diplomacy, and the evolving balance of perspectives surrounding Israel, Gaza, and regional tensions.

In Israel, the government is moving to shape the next phase of its Gaza policy. The security cabinet has decided to establish a small ministerial team to implement the second phase of the plan that has been advancing since the latest Egyptian and international ceasefire understandings took effect. Members reportedly include ministers known for strong positions on security and settlement-related questions, reflecting the coalition’s emphasis on a robust security posture even as debates continue over how to manage diplomacy, the presence of Haredi conscripts, and broader regional normalization. The move underscores a steady pattern in Israeli politics: defining a security-first framework while navigating internal disagreements about timing, scope, and the pace of political reforms tied to Gaza and broader regional accords. At the same time, opposition campaigns and coalition debates roil public discourse about the balance between military action, humanitarian considerations, and the diplomatic track with partners in Washington, Riyadh, and elsewhere.

In Gaza and the broader confrontation, Israeli military authorities highlighted a major intelligence-driven operation tied to the search for remains from the 2014 conflict and the lasting aftermath of the Hamas-led war scenarios. The IDF and Shin Bet released footage and contemporaneous statements describing a seven-kilometer Hamas tunnel running under densely populated and civilian infrastructure, including a UNRWA compound and other civilian facilities. The tunnel is described as among the most significant uncovered in Gaza to date, with multiple chambers including spaces used for shelter, weapons storage, and command posts. In a related, ongoing series of actions, Israeli forces reported the elimination of several militants who emerged from a subterranean corridor near the Rafah crossing in a bid to threaten Israeli positions. The incidents come amid broader efforts to neutralize subterranean threats while the Gaza Strip remains under a complex ceasefire structure that Sinai agreements and international diplomacy continue to monitor. Israel notes that its actions are taken in the context of protecting its citizens, while international observers stress the fragility of movements on the ground and the challenges of distinguishing combat threats from civilian harm in built-up areas.

On the human dimension, Israel describes ongoing efforts within the Gaza ceasefire framework to reconcile the fate of hostages and remains. Israeli officials say the current arrangement has seen a number of living hostages freed and remains of others returned, while still outstanding are a smaller group of deceased hostages. The developments are embedded in broader regional diplomacy that seeks to balance security guarantees with humanitarian access, a balance that remains elusive in the eyes of many regional and international observers.

Beyond the immediate conflict frame, regional diplomacy and external powers continue to shape expectations. Iran’s foreign ministry, speaking through its senior diplomats, has signaled readiness for diplomacy on a nuclear framework with the United States, coupled with a clear warning that any future conflict would be avoided by readiness for combat if negotiations fail. The Iranian position stresses a desire for a fair, agreed framework rather than a one-sided settlement, and it notes improvements in ballistic missiles while underscoring a willingness to engage in talks to prevent war. The rhetoric is part of a broader regional calculus in which Tehran seeks to calibrate its own deterrence, its relations with Russia as an ally, and its posture toward Washington.

In parallel, the international landscape continues to respond to the Gaza question in varied ways. Singapore has announced sanctions and entry bans targeting Israeli settlers tied to settlement activities, framing its action within a stated commitment to a two-state solution and to international law. The move illustrates how public diplomacy and economic measures intersect with regional and global debates over both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader questions of settlement legitimacy and security arrangements. Other regional and international voices, including the United States and United Nations interlocutors, continue to push for a Gaza plan that combines security guarantees with humanitarian access, while acknowledging the political sensitivities within Israel and among Palestinian leadership.

In the United States, policy signals remain nuanced. The latest congressional and executive conversations reflect a balance between backing Israel’s security needs and pressing for diplomatic channels that could stabilize the Gaza environment. A recent high-profile engagement associated with the Gaza plan highlights how US support for security objectives sits alongside Western calls for humanitarian considerations and an eventual political horizon that would reduce violence and investment in civilian suffering. The domestic political terrain in Israel, with coalition fragility and debate over draft policy, intersects with American deliberations about how to coordinate with regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, on broader security and normalization trajectories.

On the cultural and informational front, Israel’s public narrative continues to emphasize resilience and the bid to present a multi-faceted national story beyond the conflict. In parallel, new research and technology initiatives abroad offer tools aimed at countering antisemitism and misinformation. A recent study by a leading anti-hate organization explored how artificial intelligence can be deployed to counter antisemitic conspiracy theories, showing that fact-based counterarguments delivered via AI can reduce belief in harmful myths among some participants, with results persisting beyond initial engagement. The findings contribute to a broader discussion about information integrity and how digital tools can support public understanding in polarized environments.

Analysts also monitor how global media coverage and diplomacy interact with local realities. Reports of political shifts within Israel—such as coalition dynamics over security policy and the pace of normalization talks—are weighed against the practical needs of defense and civil protection. In the words of many international observers, the path forward hinges on credible security arrangements that also safeguard civilian life, a balance that remains difficult to achieve given the strategic stakes in Gaza, the West Bank, and broader regional competition involving global and regional powers.

Looking ahead, the region’s trajectory will likely hinge on a mix of operational realities and political decisions. For Israel, the immediate priorities include continuing to deter and defeat subterranean threats, maintaining a credible security posture, and managing domestic political pressures as the government advances its phase-two Gaza framework. For Gaza and Hamas, the path remains conditioned by access to humanitarian channels and the broader diplomatic architecture designed to deter renewed escalation. For the international community, the task remains to sustain pressure for a durable ceasefire, address hostage and remains concerns, and align security guarantees with humanitarian protections.

In sum, the present moment underscores a Middle East that remains volatile yet highly consequential for both Israeli security concerns and international diplomacy. The United States continues to balance unwavering support for Israel’s security with efforts to shape a diplomatic framework that could moderate the conflict’s humanitarian impact. Iran signals readiness for broader talks while reinforcing an ability to project power if talks stall. Regional players like Singapore signal that international law and negotiation must guide actions on the ground. As events unfold, audiences should expect continued emphasis on security measures, political calculations within Israel, and a careful, fact-based presentation of competing narratives from all sides, with the aim of clarity, accuracy, and public understanding.

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
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-874626
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-874678
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-874681
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-874713
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-874715
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politi