
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-29 at 21:07
9/29/2025
0:00
7:37
HEADLINES
- Gaza Plan Demands Hamas Disarmament Hostage Return
- Knesset Approves 30.8B Defense Boost
- Netanyahu Apologizes to Qatar Over Doha Strike
The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At five o’clock this afternoon, a sweeping framework aimed at ending the Gaza conflict moved to the center of the international effort. The United States, joining with Israeli leadership, unveiled a twenty-point plan that envisions a deradicalized Gaza, immediate humanitarian support, and a staged, internationally overseen transition in governance for the territory. The plan calls for a pause in fighting once both sides publicly accept the framework, the rapid return of all hostages within seventy-two hours, and the release of hundreds of detainees after those hostages are accounted for. It also calls for the disarmament of Hamas and the removal of Hamas leadership from Gaza, followed by the establishment of a transitional civilian administration to run the Strip, under an international Board of Peace chaired by the President of the United States, with involvement from other leading states and international figures.
Under the plan, aid to Gaza would begin immediately and be distributed through the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other independent organizations, with the Rafah crossing opened under a uniform mechanism. The Israeli military would withdraw progressively from Gaza in step with Hamas’s disarmament, while maintaining a security perimeter for the foreseeable future. Those who once supported or collaborated with Hamas would be offered safe passage to other countries, and a process designed to rebuild Gaza would be overseen by an apolitical Palestinian committee operating under international oversight. The framework also envisions a broader economic development program and a pathway toward a future political horizon, tied to credible reforms in Gaza and to international guarantees that would prevent a resurgence of violence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in Washington beside the President and stated his support for the plan, arguing that it would achieve Israel’s war aims: the return of all hostages, the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities, the end of Hamas’s political control, and a Gaza that cannot pose a future threat to Israel. He characterized the framework as a serious step forward, though he acknowledged the terms would be demanding and hinge on Hamas’s willingness to relinquish weapons and accept a new governing arrangement for Gaza that excludes Hamas from power.
Hamas’s response has been cautious and noncommittal to date. The movement has not yet publicly endorsed the proposal, signaling that a comprehensive assessment is still pending and that any settlement will have to satisfy Hamas’s own strategic and political concerns. Backers of the plan say Qatar has been pressing Hamas to say yes, and discussions among the United States, Israel, and Gulf partners are ongoing to align expectations and operational arrangements. Observers note that the success of the plan depends heavily on Hamas’s willingness to disarm, to accept a new civilian administration for Gaza, and to participate in the staged exchanges that begin with hostage returns and prisoner releases.
Domestically, Israel’s government moved to shore up wartime logistics. The Knesset narrowly approved an additional thirty point eight billion new Israeli shekels for defense spending, a figure aimed at covering costs associated with ongoing fighting and security operations. The vote—fifty-five in favor, fifty against—took place as lawmakers weighed the broader fiscal implications of a prolonged conflict, with some opposition members absent. Finance and defense officials stressed that the extra funding was essential to sustain manpower, equipment, and security operations during wartime, pushing the total defense allocation higher for twenty twenty-five and granting a larger deficit ceiling to accommodate wartime needs.
In Washington, the political and legal front also moved. The United States Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act against several anti-Israel groups and activists, accusing them of intimidating worshipers at a New Jersey synagogue during a November event tied to Israel-related activities. The case represents a notable use of civil rights protections to address disruptions at houses of worship and protests on college campuses, and it underscores the broader US government stance toward anti-Israel activity within the domestic arena.
Diplomatic signaling continued to shape the week. Prime Minister Netanyahu offered a public apology to the Qatari Prime Minister for the Doha strike that resulted in the death of a Qatari guard, saying Israel regretted the loss and would refrain from repeating such a strike. The gesture drew mixed reactions inside Israel, with some lawmakers arguing that diplomacy should be resolute and deterrence unwavering, while others said repairing ties with Qatar was essential to stabilizing the region and advancing the broader peace plan. Netanyahu also asserted that the plan aligns with Israel’s long-term security goals and noted that the broader framework could bolster the Abraham Accords, potentially expanding normalization with additional Arab states if the Gaza process proceeds smoothly.
Among Israeli political figures, opposition leaders offered guarded support. Benny Gantz publicly welcomed the plan as an opportunity to secure the release of hostages and safeguard national security, while stressing that unity and disciplined execution would be needed to translate the framework into lasting results. At the same time, commentary from various editorial voices highlighted skepticism about whether Hamas will accept demilitarization and a Palestinian governing body distinct from the Palestinian Authority, signaling that the coming days will be pivotal as negotiations and on-the-ground preparations continue.
Officials and analysts cautioned that even with broad international backing and a clear set of milestones, much hinges on Hamas’s decision. If Hamas delays or rejects the proposal, supporters say Israel’s military objective would remain focused on neutralizing Hamas’s operational capabilities and pressing toward a future in which Gaza governance rests with a civilian authority under international supervision, while ensuring Israeli security perimeters. If, however, Hamas accepts the terms, the framework contends that hostages could begin returning within seventy-two hours, followed by a staged withdrawal and a transition that could reshape security, governance, and the prospects for regional peace.
As the day closes, the complex geometry of this plan—a blend of security guarantees, humanitarian relief, and international governance—continues to unfold. The coming days will reveal whether Hamas’s leadership and its allied factions will align with the terms on offer, whether regional partners will provide the political ballast needed to sustain an enduring settlement, and whether the domestic and international pieces can be assembled into a durable end to the Gaza war while preserving Israeli security and regional stability. We will monitor closely and report with the latest developments as they emerge.
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/middle-east/article-869019
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869016
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869017
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869015
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-869011
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869014
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-869013
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237365
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-sues-over-november-anti-israel-protest-outside-new-jersey-synagogue/
https://worldisraelnews.com/netanyahus-disgraceful-apology-to-qatar-triggers-political-firestorm/
https://worldisraelnews.com/netanyahu-accepts-trumps-ceasefire-and-hostage-plan-says-it-achieves-israels-war-aims/
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/israeli-opposition-leaders-back-trumps-proposal-end-gaza-war_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237358
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237357
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237354
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/skwjzru2el
https://t.me/newssil/172673
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237352
https://t.me/newssil/172672
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sy2izh00nlg
https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-narrowly-approves-further-nis-30-8-billion-in-defense-spending/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/29/trumps-mega-deal-is-underway-and-even-hamas-or-iran-cant-stop-it/
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/netanyahu-says-he-supports-trumps-peace-proposal-end-war-gaza_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://t.me/newssil/172671
https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-trumps-comprehensive-pl
- Gaza Plan Demands Hamas Disarmament Hostage Return
- Knesset Approves 30.8B Defense Boost
- Netanyahu Apologizes to Qatar Over Doha Strike
The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At five o’clock this afternoon, a sweeping framework aimed at ending the Gaza conflict moved to the center of the international effort. The United States, joining with Israeli leadership, unveiled a twenty-point plan that envisions a deradicalized Gaza, immediate humanitarian support, and a staged, internationally overseen transition in governance for the territory. The plan calls for a pause in fighting once both sides publicly accept the framework, the rapid return of all hostages within seventy-two hours, and the release of hundreds of detainees after those hostages are accounted for. It also calls for the disarmament of Hamas and the removal of Hamas leadership from Gaza, followed by the establishment of a transitional civilian administration to run the Strip, under an international Board of Peace chaired by the President of the United States, with involvement from other leading states and international figures.
Under the plan, aid to Gaza would begin immediately and be distributed through the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other independent organizations, with the Rafah crossing opened under a uniform mechanism. The Israeli military would withdraw progressively from Gaza in step with Hamas’s disarmament, while maintaining a security perimeter for the foreseeable future. Those who once supported or collaborated with Hamas would be offered safe passage to other countries, and a process designed to rebuild Gaza would be overseen by an apolitical Palestinian committee operating under international oversight. The framework also envisions a broader economic development program and a pathway toward a future political horizon, tied to credible reforms in Gaza and to international guarantees that would prevent a resurgence of violence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in Washington beside the President and stated his support for the plan, arguing that it would achieve Israel’s war aims: the return of all hostages, the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities, the end of Hamas’s political control, and a Gaza that cannot pose a future threat to Israel. He characterized the framework as a serious step forward, though he acknowledged the terms would be demanding and hinge on Hamas’s willingness to relinquish weapons and accept a new governing arrangement for Gaza that excludes Hamas from power.
Hamas’s response has been cautious and noncommittal to date. The movement has not yet publicly endorsed the proposal, signaling that a comprehensive assessment is still pending and that any settlement will have to satisfy Hamas’s own strategic and political concerns. Backers of the plan say Qatar has been pressing Hamas to say yes, and discussions among the United States, Israel, and Gulf partners are ongoing to align expectations and operational arrangements. Observers note that the success of the plan depends heavily on Hamas’s willingness to disarm, to accept a new civilian administration for Gaza, and to participate in the staged exchanges that begin with hostage returns and prisoner releases.
Domestically, Israel’s government moved to shore up wartime logistics. The Knesset narrowly approved an additional thirty point eight billion new Israeli shekels for defense spending, a figure aimed at covering costs associated with ongoing fighting and security operations. The vote—fifty-five in favor, fifty against—took place as lawmakers weighed the broader fiscal implications of a prolonged conflict, with some opposition members absent. Finance and defense officials stressed that the extra funding was essential to sustain manpower, equipment, and security operations during wartime, pushing the total defense allocation higher for twenty twenty-five and granting a larger deficit ceiling to accommodate wartime needs.
In Washington, the political and legal front also moved. The United States Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act against several anti-Israel groups and activists, accusing them of intimidating worshipers at a New Jersey synagogue during a November event tied to Israel-related activities. The case represents a notable use of civil rights protections to address disruptions at houses of worship and protests on college campuses, and it underscores the broader US government stance toward anti-Israel activity within the domestic arena.
Diplomatic signaling continued to shape the week. Prime Minister Netanyahu offered a public apology to the Qatari Prime Minister for the Doha strike that resulted in the death of a Qatari guard, saying Israel regretted the loss and would refrain from repeating such a strike. The gesture drew mixed reactions inside Israel, with some lawmakers arguing that diplomacy should be resolute and deterrence unwavering, while others said repairing ties with Qatar was essential to stabilizing the region and advancing the broader peace plan. Netanyahu also asserted that the plan aligns with Israel’s long-term security goals and noted that the broader framework could bolster the Abraham Accords, potentially expanding normalization with additional Arab states if the Gaza process proceeds smoothly.
Among Israeli political figures, opposition leaders offered guarded support. Benny Gantz publicly welcomed the plan as an opportunity to secure the release of hostages and safeguard national security, while stressing that unity and disciplined execution would be needed to translate the framework into lasting results. At the same time, commentary from various editorial voices highlighted skepticism about whether Hamas will accept demilitarization and a Palestinian governing body distinct from the Palestinian Authority, signaling that the coming days will be pivotal as negotiations and on-the-ground preparations continue.
Officials and analysts cautioned that even with broad international backing and a clear set of milestones, much hinges on Hamas’s decision. If Hamas delays or rejects the proposal, supporters say Israel’s military objective would remain focused on neutralizing Hamas’s operational capabilities and pressing toward a future in which Gaza governance rests with a civilian authority under international supervision, while ensuring Israeli security perimeters. If, however, Hamas accepts the terms, the framework contends that hostages could begin returning within seventy-two hours, followed by a staged withdrawal and a transition that could reshape security, governance, and the prospects for regional peace.
As the day closes, the complex geometry of this plan—a blend of security guarantees, humanitarian relief, and international governance—continues to unfold. The coming days will reveal whether Hamas’s leadership and its allied factions will align with the terms on offer, whether regional partners will provide the political ballast needed to sustain an enduring settlement, and whether the domestic and international pieces can be assembled into a durable end to the Gaza war while preserving Israeli security and regional stability. We will monitor closely and report with the latest developments as they emerge.
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/middle-east/article-869019
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-869016
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869017
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-869015
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-869011
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-869014
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-869013
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237365
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-sues-over-november-anti-israel-protest-outside-new-jersey-synagogue/
https://worldisraelnews.com/netanyahus-disgraceful-apology-to-qatar-triggers-political-firestorm/
https://worldisraelnews.com/netanyahu-accepts-trumps-ceasefire-and-hostage-plan-says-it-achieves-israels-war-aims/
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/israeli-opposition-leaders-back-trumps-proposal-end-gaza-war_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237358
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237357
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237354
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/skwjzru2el
https://t.me/newssil/172673
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1237352
https://t.me/newssil/172672
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sy2izh00nlg
https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-narrowly-approves-further-nis-30-8-billion-in-defense-spending/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/29/trumps-mega-deal-is-underway-and-even-hamas-or-iran-cant-stop-it/
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/09/netanyahu-says-he-supports-trumps-peace-proposal-end-war-gaza_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://t.me/newssil/172671
https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-trumps-comprehensive-pl
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