HEADLINES
US demands mandate for Gaza stabilization force
Egypt says Trump plan avoids Hamas disarmament
Miami talks push Gaza phase two forward

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 5:00 PM update from the Middle East desk. Israeli officials say discussions on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire and peace plan remain frozen until after an upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump. The government in Jerusalem reports the Gaza situation is still unclear day by day, with security concerns and humanitarian realities shaping the pace of any new arrangements.

On the diplomatic front in Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined that the United States will not move forward with troop commitments without a clearly defined mandate and funding mechanism for a proposed international stabilization force. He indicated that Washington is seeking a concrete framework, including the creation of a Board of Peace and a Palestinian technocratic committee to help manage Gaza during a transition period. Rubio suggested the implementation of phase two could take two to three years, stressing that any disarmament steps would require alignment between Israel and the Palestinian side and would be tied to the broader security architecture on the ground.

Egyptian officials reinforced a key point in the discussions: the Trump plan does not call for Hamas disarmament. Rather, Cairo’s position has been that weapons collection and handover would occur under Palestinian agreements, with ongoing debates about how that framework would be verified and enforced. The stance comes as tensions persist and Israeli forces conducted operations in Gaza, including the killing of a senior Hamas commander amid ongoing cross-border exchanges that keep the ceasefire fragile and periodically fraying.

In parallel, regional mediators gathered in Miami for talks hosted by the US special envoy with participation from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. The mood of those discussions centered on expediting the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, with mediators seeking a unified approach to move both sides toward compliance with the Trump plan’s remaining elements. Reports indicate hopes among the mediators for a broader board of governance and a clearer division of responsibilities between the Palestinian Authority and any interim authorities envisaged to operate in Gaza. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has been mentioned in conversations about potential troop contributors to the stabilization effort, though no final commitments had been announced at the time of these talks.

Trump administration officials have underscored that the second phase would involve Israel partially withdrawing from Gaza, an interim governing authority taking over, and an international stabilization force deployed to support a transition. While momentum for phase two has faced delays, US officials and their regional partners emphasize that progress hinges on progress in disarmament discussions, credible governance, and reliable humanitarian access. The discussions also reflect persistent concern among partners that without a credible path to enduring stability, investments and reconstruction will remain at risk.

On the battlefield, Israeli authorities reported continued security operations in Gaza, including actions against militants accused of involvement in cross-border attacks. The Israeli government has argued that any future arrangements must ensure a robust security envelope to prevent renewed aggression and to deter groups that could threaten Israeli civilians and stability in southern Lebanon and the broader region.

The diplomatic activity comes as the overall ceasefire framework continues to be tested by incidents on the ground. On one front, an Israeli operation led to the killing of another Hamas operative after a border incident, prompting renewed debate over the pace and terms of any disarmament or weapon control arrangements. The discussions remain highly sensitive to the day’s events, with security assessments and political calculations playing into how quickly any phase two moves forward.

There were also cross-border security developments closer to home. An Israeli woman was rescued by police after an abduction in Jericho, with investigators indicating the suspect was an acquaintance from work who had traveled with her for a social gathering. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns linked to cross-border mobility and security risks that accompany efforts to implement any new governance arrangements in the Gaza corridor.

Domestically, Israel’s health and public safety picture continues to be shaped by other pressures as well. The Health Ministry reported a rise in flu activity in the north, including the death of a four-year-old child, and urged the public to get vaccinated as a precaution against a season that is intensifying respiratory illness across the country. Health officials stressed the importance of vaccination to curb strain on hospitals and protect vulnerable populations.

Within the broader international discourse, voices from various capitals continue to press for a credible path to stabilization that can command regional and international participation. The United States has signaled it wants concrete definitions of who will staff and fund the stabilization force and what rules of engagement will govern its operations, alongside guarantees of access for humanitarian aid and protections for civilians. Israel remains focused on security assurances and the integrity of its own defense posture, insisting that any lasting settlement must prevent a reemergence of threats from Gaza and neighboring fronts.

As the calendar moves toward the anticipated Netanyahu-Trump meeting later this month, the coming days are likely to deepen the negotiations over phase two’s architecture: the sequence of Israeli withdrawals, the nature and duration of interim governance, the role and oversight of a stabilization force, and the precise disarmament parameters that would be acceptable to all sides. The path remains uncertain, but officials on all sides emphasize that the goal is a sustainable stability that can endure beyond immediate truces and headlines.

For international audiences, the core takeaway is that the framework for Gaza’s future—how governance will be shared, how weapons will be managed, and how aid and reconstruction will be financed and monitored—depends on a careful balance of security guarantees, political legitimacy, and practical coordination among Israel, the Palestinian authorities, and a coalition of regional and international partners. The next phase, if it advances, will hinge on concrete agreements that can withstand the pressures of ongoing conflict, regional rivalries, and the complex realities of life for civilians on the ground. This concludes the 5:00 PM 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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https://www.timesofisrael.com/rubio-us-must-clarify-mandate-of-gaza-force-before-we-can-expect-countries-to-send-troops/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1sjtmx7be
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-880794