HEADLINES
Gaza luxury rebuild hinges on Hamas disarmament
Gaza governance roadmap stalls over security guarantees
Bondi Hanukkah attack leaves fifteen dead

The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. This is a summary of the latest developments shaping the Middle East and related global events, with a focus on Israeli and Jewish perspectives for an international audience.

World attention this hour centers on a US proposal to redefine Gaza’s future through a large-scale reconstruction plan described as a “luxury coastal destination.” Reported to cost about one hundred twelve billion dollars over the first ten years, the plan envisions four stages starting in the south around Rafah and Khan Younis and culminating in Gaza City. The proposal, which comes from a team led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, would anchor initial funding with sixty billion dollars from the United States and rely on Gazan revenue as participation grows. By design, it imagines a modernized coastal economy featuring a “New Rafah” as a seat of governance, a Gaza City treated as a high‑tech, “smart” urban center, and a broad program of housing, schools, medical facilities, and cultural institutions. The slides describe a long-term monetization of coastline and estimates large returns on investment over the decade. Crucially, the plan requires Hamas to demilitarize and decommission tunnels, a condition reaffirmed by both Israel and Washington as a prerequisite for rehabilitation. White House officials have cautioned that while the plan could begin within about two months if security conditions permit, real progress depends on whether Hamas can or will disarm and whether international donors are willing to participate at the level envisioned. The plan has drawn mixed reactions among US policymakers: some question Hamas’s willingness to disarm or to sustain funding, while others view it as the most concrete blueprint yet for Gaza’s potential future. Israel has previously signaled cautious support for renewed diplomacy tied to security guarantees, stressing that any reconstruction must be paired with verifiable disarmament and a stabilized security environment.

Turning to the broader framework of efforts to manage Gaza’s crisis, Washington continues to press for a governance and stabilization architecture. After years of conflict, the second stage of any ceasefire would see an interim authority assume governance of the territory, followed by the deployment of an international stabilization force and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from positions in Gaza. Progress toward this second stage has been slow, and all sides remain wary of violations that could disrupt the fragile ceasefire. Israel’s security leadership has underscored the need for durable security arrangements, particularly given Hamas’s past battlefield activities and the persistence of tunnels and weaponry that complicate any rapid transition. Donors and regional partners in the Gulf and Egypt, along with Turkey, have shown varying degrees of interest in contributing to reconstruction or governance mechanisms, while expressing parallel concerns about security, governance, and long-term stability.

In related domestic and global news, the Justice Department in the United States released a portion of files from the Epstein investigation, with much of the material heavily redacted. The disclosure sparked debate over transparency and the scope of release mandated by law, with opponents arguing that the sets of documents represent only a fraction of the whole record. The material includes photographs and records connected to prominent figures, drawing renewed attention to questions about how closely powerful individuals intersect with investigative cases. While President Donald Trump defended his earlier stance to release the records, supporters and detractors alike noted that the redactions limit public visibility into the full breadth of the evidence. The episode underscored how domestic political dynamics can color the public’s perception of government transparency, even as the legal process continues to determine what information will eventually be made public.

On the other side of the world, Australian authorities are investigating a mass shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration that left fifteen people dead and many more wounded. Officials have described the incident as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community and have warned against a broader surge in antisemitism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined leaders at a synagogue service and has pledged to strengthen hate‑crime laws and tighten gun controls in response. The attack prompted renewed security measures along Australia’s coastline and in major urban centers, with law enforcement authorities continuing to pursue the motive and whether the assailants acted in concert or under the influence of a broader network. The violence reverberates beyond Australia, reinforcing Jewish communal anxieties about safety at public events and in faith communities worldwide.

The day’s reporting also notes ongoing hostilities in the region that have shaped public perception in Israel and among Jewish communities abroad. In Gaza, Israeli forces have continued to respond to threats and incidents while aiming to avoid civilian casualties, a difficult balance that has drawn international scrutiny and domestic concern about the humanitarian toll. Palestinians and international partners are watching closely for tangible steps toward reconstruction coupled with security assurances that would enable Gazans to live with dignity and opportunity. In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, security planners stress that any future arrangement must be anchored in reliable capabilities to deter aggression, prevent rocket attacks, and deny Hamas the ability to reconstitute armed strength. The political reality remains layered: regional diplomacy, humanitarian needs, and security imperatives intersect in complex ways as policymakers weigh how best to prevent a relapse into broader conflict while laying groundwork for governance and development in Gaza.

In sum, the hour’s headlines converge on a central question: can a reconstruction plan of the scale and design described be reconciled with verifiable security guarantees and credible governance in Gaza? The answer will depend on a disciplined sequence of steps, including verified disarmament, credible security oversight, financing commitments from international partners, and a governance framework acceptable to both Israelis and Gazans. Meanwhile, the broader conversation about transparency, regional stability, and the global fight against violence continues to unfold, reminding audiences that the region’s fate is shaped as much by policy choice as by battlefield dynamics.

That is the latest as we pause for a moment of reflection. We will return with further developments, including any movement on the second phase of the ceasefire, new humanitarian initiatives, and responses from communities inside and outside the region.

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.timesofisrael.com/us-said-to-pitch-project-sunrise-a-plan-to-rebuild-gaza-as-luxury-destination/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h14blum7be
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-880798
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-880802
https://t.me/newssil/184149
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-880637
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-releases-files-from-epstein-probe-though-many-records-remain-heavily-redacted/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/12/australian-lifesavers-return-duty-bondi-beach-after-massacre