HEADLINES
Gaza Deal Demands Hamas Disarmament To Progress
Ceasefire Frays After Hamas Commander Killed
Global Antisemitism Surges Forcing Policy Shifts

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This hour, the news from the Middle East and beyond centers on a set of interlocking questions: how a costly, forward-looking plan for Gaza fits into an already fragile ceasefire, how rising antisemitism is reshaping policy and politics across multiple countries, and how global actors are trying to balance security with humanitarian and political realities.

In Washington and among key allies, a US-backed blueprint for Gaza’s long-term reconstruction has emerged as a focal point for debate. The plan, described in internal summaries and discussed with regional partners, envisions a two-decade effort to rebuild the coastal strip into what is pitched as a high-tech, economically vibrant area. The package runs to roughly 112.1 billion dollars over the first ten years, with an initial American commitment of about 60 billion dollars to jumpstart work. The proposal outlines a four-stage process beginning with rubble removal, demining, and the rebuilding of essential infrastructure, followed by the creation of permanent housing, schools, medical facilities, and public services, and eventually the development of a “glitzy” coastal corridor described in briefing slides as a potential driver of investment. A core condition repeatedly highlighted by American and Israeli officials is the demilitarization of Hamas and the dissolution of tunnels, a requirement that has met resistance from Hamas and remains a central obstacle to moving to the plan’s later stages.

Within the plan, the envisioned governance framework would include a new administrative center in Rafah and a “smart city” concept for Gaza City, alongside large-scale utilities, rail, and coastal development designed to attract private and international investment. Donor countries in the Gulf, Turkey, and Egypt have been engaged in conversations about funding, but the success of any phase depends on security assurances and political acceptability to both Israel and Palestinian factions. The White House has signaled that the United States intends to press forward with diplomacy aimed at sustaining a durable peace and laying groundwork for a potential Gaza economy, while acknowledging the hard policy choices involved. Still, several US officials acknowledge real doubt about Hamas’s willingness to disarm, and analysts note that donor enthusiasm hinges on credible security guarantees and visible progress on a second stage of the ceasefire framework.

Speaking of the ceasefire, the broader security landscape remains unsettled. Israeli forces recently killed a senior Hamas commander in Gaza, a development that underscores the fragility of the truce and the risk of renewed hostilities. The ceasefire’s second phase envisions an Israeli withdrawal from certain positions in Gaza, the deployment of an international stabilization force, and the transfer of interim governance to a civilian authority rather than Hamas. While Gulf, Egyptian, and Turkish interlocutors have expressed interest in accelerating the ceasefire process, concrete movement on stage two has been impeded by mutual accusations of violations and the ongoing volatility on the ground. The situation remains a focal point for regional diplomacy, with Washington seeking to reconcile immediate security needs with long-term political objectives in Gaza.

Beyond the battlefield and negotiating tables, antisemitism remains a pressing international concern with implications for policy and public sentiment. Incidents and debates in several countries illuminate the breadth of the challenge. In Australia, Bondi Beach emerged as the site of a Hanukkah-related attack, prompting reflection on how antisemitic violence and conspiracy theories shape policy and public discourse. Opinion writers pressed Jerusalem to treat antisemitism as not only a threat to Jewish communities abroad but a broader existential challenge to Israel’s security. Separately, a US mayor in California drew controversy by reposting conspiracy theories alleging the Bondi incident was a false flag operation, prompting calls for resignation from Jewish groups and others who argued the claims undermine trust and public safety.

In Europe, a French family reported an Algerian nanny who allegedly poisoned members of the household; police cited a motive linked to antisemitic sentiment, according to the suspect’s statements in custody. The incident added to a broader pattern of antisemitic violence that countries across the continent say requires sustained policing, education, and community engagement. In Greece, an incident at a basketball match left the Hapoel Tel Aviv owner and club members confronting harassment, with authorities detaining a Greek fan who assaulted the team official. These events illuminate the persistent currents of prejudice that persist alongside political and security concerns in a number of democracies.

In the United States, domestic politics intersect with international concerns about antisemitism and foreign policy. Elise Stefanik, a leading Republican figure closely associated with tougher scrutiny of campus antisemitism, announced she would suspend her bid for New York governor and step back from congressional ambitions to focus on family, saying she would regrettably not pursue the campaign while prioritizing her son’s safety. The move drew comments from allies and opponents alike, with President Donald Trump publicly praising Stefanik’s talents and reiterating support for her future endeavors. The shift underscores how candidates frame national security and antisemitism as central issues in a state that holds significant political weight and mirrors broader national debates about how to address extremism, campus culture wars, and the balance between security and civil liberties.

Against that evolving backdrop, the political and diplomatic landscape features ongoing conversations about reconstruction, security guarantees, and the long road to a sustainable peace. The Gaza plan, while ambitious in scale and scope, faces a crowded field of skeptics who question Hamas’s willingness to disarm, donor feasibility, and the practicalities of governance in a post-conflict environment. The ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides accused of violations and with humanitarian needs remaining acute for Gazan civilians. In parallel, the international community continues to watch for responses to antisemitism that cross borders—from street demonstrations to online rhetoric to real-world violence—that complicate international cooperation and the ability of governments to project stability in a volatile region.

As the day closes, observers watch for concrete steps: whether donors will commit the funds and governance structures to begin the first phase within the two-month window referenced in briefings; whether security assurances sufficient to enable a real second phase exist; and how rising antisemitism in Australia, Europe, and North America will shape policies in capitals around the world. The coming weeks will likely bring clarifications from Washington and allied capitals about how to balance ambitious reconstruction with credible guarantees, and how to protect Jewish communities while pursuing the fragile path toward a lasting peace.

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-880624
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-880621
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880804
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880805
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-880806
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-880803
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-ally-stefanik-drops-run-for-new-york-governor-will-leave-congress/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-880735
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