HEADLINES
Peace talks paused until US-Israel meeting
Gaza rebuild hinges on Hamas disarmament
Israeli forces kill militant at Gaza border

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

This is the four o’clock update from the regional desk. Negotiations on the next phase of the Gaza peace plan are reportedly paused until after the meeting between the United States president and the Israeli prime minister, with Israeli officials noting that the Gaza situation remains unclear.

Egypt’s foreign minister said the Trump Gaza plan does not call for Hamas disarmament, but for collecting and handing over weapons under Palestinian agreements, even as tensions persist and the Israeli Defense Forces report casualties in Gaza amid ongoing artillery fire.

In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Gaza will not be rebuilt until Hamas is disarmed, and he signaled that while he would not spell out the exact form of disarmament, the focus should be on the kinds of weapons or capabilities Hamas would need to threaten Israel. He warned that peace cannot endure if Hamas continues to launch rockets or attack Israelis, and he noted that disarmament is critical. Rubio also indicated that if Israel views Hezbollah as a threat, Washington would back action against it.

Hamas officials have offered mixed signals. Basem Naim told Al-Monitor that Hamas would begin laying down its weapons as part of a long‑term ceasefire that includes guarantees Israel will not resume attacks, though he did not specify whether this would amount to full or partial disarmament.

In the West Bank, an Israeli woman abducted in Jericho was rescued by Palestinian Authority security forces. Authorities say the suspect was an acquaintance from work who took her to Jericho for a social gathering. Israeli officials say the woman will be questioned as part of the investigation while the Palestinian authorities worked to secure her safety.

In Gaza, Israeli forces killed a militant who crossed into Israeli territory, as fighting continued along the border. Gaza-based reporters described casualties resulting from Israeli artillery fire in Gaza, with multiple deaths and injuries reported in some areas, underscoring the continuing danger in the territory.

Health officials in Israel report rising influenza activity and a death of a four-year-old child in the northern region, with the Health Ministry urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The next phase of the peace plan envisions the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, the deployment of an international security presence, and the steps to collect and transfer weapons under Palestinian agreements, consistent with the twenty‑point plan released in late September. Regional mediators are pressing to finalize the sequencing of disarmament, troop withdrawal, and security arrangements, while Hamas signals remain cautious about its obligations.

With discussions paused and the United States and regional partners seeking clarity, authorities say the coming days will test the viability of the ceasefire framework and the prospects for a durable arrangement.

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.

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