HEADLINES
Gaza ceasefire frays as Hamas leaders killed
Iran back channel signals regional stakes
Israel launches New Order to curb violence

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

At four o’clock this afternoon, the Middle East sits at a moment of renewed vigilance as security and political calculations intersect across Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Israel’s own internal discourse. Israeli officials say the region remains volatile, with ongoing violations in Lebanon and Gaza framed against Iran’s apparent push to rebuild its ballistic missile program and Moscow-style signals of broader regional pressure. Officials emphasize that these developments heighten the risk of preemptive action if deterrence fails, and they stress that Israel is prepared to respond to violations of any ceasefire or security arrangement.

In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted a sequence of strikes after a Palestinian gunman opened fire on troops along the southern edge of Gaza. The Israeli government says five senior Hamas officials were killed in the retaliatory airstrikes, describing the strikes as a response to continued hostilities. Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defense agency put tally on the day at roughly 21 dead, a figure that reflects the difficulty of independently verifying casualty totals amid the fighting. Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office characterized the Hamas action as a clear violation of the ceasefire, while Hamas officials signaled concerns about violations and called on mediators to balance the terms of the exchange. A separate line coming from Arab mediators suggested that while Hamas fighters had carried out a number of ceasefire violations, Israel’s responses had been disproportionate in some assessments, leading to civilian casualties in Gaza. US officials noted that the Trump administration supports Israel’s broader approach in Gaza, while acknowledging the fragility of the pause in hostilities.

Tensions also played out on the ground near Rafah, where the IDF said it killed or captured all 17 Palestinian operatives who had emerged from a Hamas tunnel and attempted to flee toward Hamas-held areas. The operation followed a 24-hour pursuit, during which airstrikes killed several of the fleeing gunmen and troops detained others. A supply-line commander for Hamas’s weapons manufacturing network was among those struck in Gaza City, according to Israeli officials. The IDF says it updated the ceasefire mechanism ahead of the strike, and the broader objective remains to deter and disrupt the operational capabilities of Hamas and allied groups. Separately, Arabic-language media reported searches for the final three bodies of hostages held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, with excavations underway in central Gaza and surrounding neighborhoods as negotiators press for the immediate return of the remaining hostages and the disarmament of armed groups, as outlined in the US-brokered framework.

Diplomatically, Iran’s top foreign minister asserted a direct communications channel with the American envoy tasked with handling messages surrounding the region. Abbas Araghchi said he maintains a direct line with US envoy Steve Whitakoff to exchange messages on the broader regional situation, signaling ongoing back-channel diplomacy amidst the questions about the viability of the current ceasefire and the strategic implications for negotiations with Israel and its allies. The United States, while publicly backing certain Israeli actions in Gaza, continues to emphasize mediation and the avoidance of a broader regional conflagration, even as other regional actors stress the gravity of the stakes.

Across Europe and beyond, security developments continued to unfold in areas not far from the main flashpoints. In the Netherlands, defenses reported the detection of several drones near Amsterdam’s international airport, prompting temporary shutdowns of civilian and, in some cases, military air traffic while authorities assessed the threat and prepared countermeasures. The incident underscores the wider concern about unmanned aerial systems in increasingly tense environments, where even marginal security breaches can escalate quickly.

In Israel itself, the weekend’s violence extended beyond the theatres of war. Police said a violent weekend occurred with various criminal incidents, including deadly shootings and other crimes in multiple cities, though officials stressed that the incidents appeared to be motivated by criminal activity rather than nationalist or terrorist aims. Law enforcement authorities in the southern region said a major operation would continue to target criminal networks and illicit weapons exchanges, part of a sustained effort to restore security and public order in the face of rising violence and intercommunal tensions. In related domestic security events, the government announced a large-scale operation named “New Order” to curb shootings and the leakage of military-grade weapons into the criminal world, particularly in the Negev and adjacent communities. The operation, led by national security ministers and the police commander, involved hundreds of officers and support units and will proceed over the coming days as officials seek to reestablish safety and rule of law in the affected areas.

The domestic debate over security and safety remains sharp. In the political sphere, commentators continued to weigh a spectrum of Israeli viewpoints, including calls for heightened protection of Jewish communities and stress on security measures, alongside opinions arguing for bridged consensus with broader segments of society, such as the nationwide Jewish religious communities. Observers note that this political friction reflects a deeper debate about how to preserve security without sacrificing civil cohesion during a period of heightened external risk. In parallel, international voices weighed in on the political rhetoric surrounding Israel and anti-Israel sentiment. A public figure’s remarks about a potential intifada drew scrutiny, with pundits and commentators urging careful attention to the responsibilities of leadership to protect all communities, including Jewish safety, while avoiding incendiary language that could endanger social cohesion.

In Gaza’s broader narrative, a mix of official statements and independent reporting points to a fragile balance in the ceasefire. Hamas and allied groups have pressed for the immediate return of hostages and for disarmament measures, while Israeli and US officials have insisted on compliant behavior from Hamas as a prerequisite for any durable stabilization. The mediation among regional actors continues, with Arab mediators urging restraint on both sides and stressing the need to uphold international arrangements that aim to minimize civilian casualties and secure the return of hostages.

In related regional security news, local fire safety incidents and acts of violence abroad have drawn attention to how security perimeters extend beyond traditional war zones. A fire at a Jerusalem hospital prompted evacuations and left some facilities temporarily without power or access to certain wards, highlighting how civilian infrastructure can be vulnerable even amid ongoing conflict. Emergency responders and hospital staff worked to contain the blaze and ensure patient safety, with authorities reporting no immediate injuries. This event comes as security operations in multiple locales intensify, reminding the public that civilian protection remains a central pillar of national resilience.

Amid these developments, stories from individuals with direct experience in conflict zones continue to surface. A former hostage described the abuse and fear endured under captivity in Gaza, underscoring the human dimension of the conflict and the lasting impact on those who survived. Other reporting highlights the ongoing human narratives of displacement, risk, and the arduous work of journalists and humanitarian workers operating under fire, as international attention remains fixed on the path toward a sustainable resolution.

As the afternoon advances, the overarching contours are clear: Israel maintains readiness to defend its citizens against threats from Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond, while regional and international actors press for a durable ceasefire and a measured path forward. The United States signals support for measured Israeli actions while continuing to work with mediators to de-escalate and to stabilize the broader strategic balance in the region. Iran emphasizes its communications channels with Washington, underscoring the persistence of diplomacy even as adversaries maneuver and timing remains uncertain. In other developments, security agencies at home pursue efforts to curb violence and restore public confidence, and communities brace for the possibility that violence, political tension, or new security incidents could emerge at any moment.

This is the four o’clock update from the region, with a steady reminder that the consequences of each action ripple well beyond the battlefield, shaping lives, politics, and alliances across the Middle East and around the world.

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/opinion/article-874813
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-874670
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