HEADLINES
Turkey to Host COP31 Australia Leads Talks
Lebanon Israel Discuss Border Outpost Withdrawal
Hundreds Abducted From Northwest Nigerian Catholic School

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

This is the hour’s news update.

In climate diplomacy, a split hosting arrangement for COP31 has Turkey set to host the 2026 summit while Australia leads the negotiation process, with a pre-COP meeting planned in a Pacific Island country and Australia guiding the year-long process that shapes the agenda and priorities ahead of COP31. A joint statement circulated through the Western European and Others Group noted that consultations would occur to resolve any differences between the two nations, underscoring a tempered, collaborative approach to a topic that spans borders and economies.

In the Levant, Lebanon’s president said his country is ready for an agreement to end Israeli strikes, with talks also covering the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces from five border outposts in Lebanese territory. The Lebanese military has indicated that each outpost would be staffed by a company of troops, signaling a renewed focus on border arrangements amid ongoing tensions along the frontier.

Turning to education and religious life in the United States, a Jewish group is reviving a push for public funding for religious schooling. The National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation intends to apply for a statewide virtual high school in Oklahoma that would blend state academic standards with daily Jewish religious studies, reflecting ongoing debates about funding, curriculum, and religious liberty in public education.

In Nigeria, violent insecurity took a grave turn as gunmen abducted hundreds of students and staff from a Catholic school in the northwest. The Christian Association of Nigeria said at least 227 students and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School, marking another devastating episode in a region grappling with insurgency and crime before dawn this week.

On the political stage in the United States, a high-profile, if contentious, discussion has erupted around Israel and the Palestinian issue in light of recent engagements in Washington. A mayor-elect in New York City, Zohran Mamdani, held a highly publicized meeting in the White House with President Donald Trump. Both men spoke of shared priorities for New York—namely affordability and relief from the rising cost of living—while perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remained a point of contention. Trump reiterated a call for disarmament of Hamas and described Hezbollah as a continuing concern, while Mamdani has voiced criticism of US policy toward Israel in the context of Palestinian rights and humanitarian considerations. The exchange highlighted the broader debate over how federal policy and local governance intersect when addressing security, aid, and human rights in the region.

This same climate of debate extended to concerns about antisemitism and free speech in public discourse. Khashoggi’s widow condemned the Trump administration and the Saudi leadership for their handling of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, signaling that the interplay of US policy, Saudi relations, and human-rights questions remains a live, often sensitive issue on the international stage. The episode adds to a broader conversation about accountability and the balance between strategic alliances and moral considerations in foreign policy.

In related notes on public sentiment and civil discourse, protests near a New York synagogue drew attention to ongoing tensions over Middle East policy and communal safety. City officials and organizers said the event featured strong voices on both sides of the issue, with authorities emphasizing that religious spaces should remain free from intimidation and violent rhetoric.

Across these developments lies a common thread: the international community is watching how states balance security concerns with humanitarian responsibilities, how allies coordinate on strategic goals, and how domestic political conversations shape, and are shaped by, events in the Middle East and beyond. In the Middle East, Israel’s security concerns remain central to regional dynamics, including border stability with Lebanon and the threat landscape posed by groups in Gaza and across the region. In the United States, federal and local authorities continue to navigate funding, policy, and public opinion as they respond to crises, humanitarian needs, and the enduring challenge of sustaining secure, open societies.

This concludes the hour’s update.

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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