HEADLINES
Gaza hostage relief near after long wait
Greene resigns from House as Trump praises
Maccabi Tel Aviv game sparks Bologna protests

The time is now 4:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Israel remains at war as Day 778 unfolds in Gaza, with the fighting continuing and security concerns on both sides shaping the day’s briefings and international responses. The conflict has entered a prolonged phase, and leaders on all sides are weighing military aims against the humanitarian toll and the prospects for hostage releases amid ongoing diplomatic maneuvering.

A human story from the frontline of this war highlights the personal cost. Shmuel Mor, who spent more than two years volunteering near the hospital ward as his grandson, Eitan Mor, was held hostage in Gaza, speaks of relief now that the family’s wait appears to be over. The account underscores how families here and abroad continue to endure years of uncertainty as the hostilities persist.

In Washington, a sharp political rupture has roiled the capital. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will resign from the House, a decision prompted by a confrontation with President Trump and a broader debate over the handling of policy matters including the Epstein files and US support for Israel. President Trump called Greene’s resignation “great news for the country.” The move follows months of public tensions between a president seeking to maintain unity within a volatile party and a lawmaker who has increasingly asserted independence from party leadership. Greene’s departure will alter the arithmetic in Congress at a time when lawmakers are pressed on domestic priorities such as healthcare costs, the cost of living, and ongoing oversight of security and foreign policy decisions.

Internationally, the war’s reverberations extend beyond the region. In Bologna, Italy, about 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police outside a EuroLeague game featuring Maccabi Tel Aviv, prompting riot gear and smoke from crowd-control devices. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and banners and chanted slogans, while local authorities worked to preserve the event’s integrity and security. The incident illustrates how the Gaza conflict continues to fuel demonstrations and political flashpoints across Europe and beyond, shaping how nations discuss and engage with Israel and its supporters.

Across the Atlantic, the domestic and international implications of Israel’s security environment continue to intersect with policy debates. Reports from Minnesota cited concerns about fraud linked to extremist networks and the question of protections for communities in the United States, underscoring the ongoing challenge of balancing security with civil rights and due process at home while the region remains tense abroad.

Observers will be watching how the rows in Congress unfold in the weeks ahead, including how the shift in House dynamics affects legislative action on security aid, humanitarian relief, and diplomacy related to Gaza. They will also monitor how European capitals respond to protests and calls for boycotts connected to the war, and how hostage negotiations and humanitarian corridors progress as families hold fast to every possible update.

In the broader arc, the war’s course continues to shape regional security calculations, influence international public opinion, and test alignments in both Washington and capitals around the world. The coming days are likely to bring further developments on hostages, aid deliveries, and the diplomatic channels that aim to ease the enduring crisis while preserving essential security commitments for Israel and its supporters.

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/american-politics/article-874776
https://www.timesofisrael.com/maga-stalwart-taylor-greene-announces-resignation-trump-great-news-for-the-country/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/italian-anti-israel-activists-clash-with-cops-outside-maccabi-tel-aviv-basketball-game/
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hjydik9xbe