Israel Today: Ongoing War Report podcast

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-22 at 22:08

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HEADLINES
US peace plan to end Gaza war
France recognizes Palestinian state fueling two-state push
Indonesia links Israel recognition to Palestinian state

The time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good evening. At six o’clock, we begin with a sweeping moment in the Gaza crisis as Washington prepares a new push to end the war. President Donald Trump is scheduled to present a US-brokered plan to Arab leaders including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan in a bid to advance peace through a unified approach. The aim, officials say, is to secure a pathway to halt the fighting and to restart serious diplomacy among regional partners who have long sought a resolution that respects Israel’s security needs while addressing Palestinian aspirations.

Across the Gaza front, a new round of diplomacy is taking shape around a possible ceasefire deal. Senior Hamas officials cited in the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat said an effort is underway to draft a new ceasefire framework, with the next two weeks expected to clarify what each side might offer toward a temporary halt to the Israeli operation and the opening of a pathway to more substantive negotiations. Sources say several Arab states are coordinating talks aimed at ending the war completely and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from residential areas, with maps showing pullbacks in different parts of the Strip. On the table is a proposal reported by Al-Hadath and Al-Arabiya that would include the release of ten hostages and the return of two bodies, including American citizens, backed by American guarantees of a 60-day ceasefire and humanitarian aid deliveries. Neither Israel nor Hamas has publicly endorsed the new plan, and discussions continue through mediators.

In parallel, a broader international impulse to back Palestinian statehood has gained momentum. At the United Nations, France announced recognition of a Palestinian state, joining a group of Western partners that have moved in that direction in recent days. This follows steps by Malta, Luxembourg, and Belgium, and marks a shift in diplomatic posture as the two-state framework again ascends to the center of international discourse. France insists its move is aimed at sustaining the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution, even as the ground reality in Gaza remains dire and the fate of hostages unresolved. Other European nations have joined in similar declarations in recent days, signaling a coordinated, if controversial, approach to Palestine’s status on the world stage.

In New York, the French president underscored a shared aim: to free the 48 hostages believed held by Hamas and to end the war in Gaza, while stressing that the path to peace must be real, time-bound, and anchored in a sustainable two-state outcome. The international mood is one of urgency mixed with skepticism about whether recognition alone can translate into ground changes that Israel views as essential for its security and for humanitarian relief to Gaza’s civilian population.

Meanwhile, the wave of recognition has provoked strong reactions in several European capitals. After France, Monaco’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state added to the momentum but also sparked domestic debate about how such steps influence the prospects for peace on the ground. In France, the government’s stance prompted discussions about public displays of support for Palestine, with some local authorities choosing to fly the Palestinian flag in defiance of official calls for neutrality. The broader public conversation in Europe reflects a society wrestling with security concerns, support for humanitarian relief, and conflicting views on how to advance a two-state solution while confronting ongoing violence.

On the ground in the wider region, voices from leaders close to the Israeli security narrative have been pointed. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at a UN gathering, criticized the Netanyahu government’s approach, saying their actions risk making the establishment of a Palestinian state nearly impossible and driving many Palestinians to seek exit from the region. Erdogan’s comments reflect a belief in a broader regional logic: that security, political settlement, and humanitarian concerns must be reconciled in a manner that does not simply punish civilians or ignore the political rights of the Palestinian people. The Turkish position signals continued pressure from a key ally of Hamas and other Gaza actors, even as mediation circles widen.

From Amman, Jordan, King Abdullah II used the same forum to call for an end to violence by settlers and a renewed focus on a two-state pathway. His remarks reflect a regional emphasis on reducing friction in the West Bank and advancing a negotiated settlement that preserves hope for both Israelis and Palestinians. In a similar vein, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, signaling a practical linkage in regional diplomacy, stated that when Israel recognizes a Palestinian state, Indonesia will recognize Israel. The exchange underscores a hard-edged principle many governments hold: recognition is meaningful when tied to genuine commitments to a peace process and to the rights and security of all people in the region.

The diplomacy unfolding at the UN and in the capital cities comes as Europe witnesses a notable domestic event: more than 80 French towns raised the Palestinian flag in an act described by supporters as solidarity with a people seeking self-determination, even as interior ministers urged neutrality. The gesture underscored how international diplomacy and domestic sentiment can collide in ways that influence public opinion and electoral politics back home, even as governments seek to project unity with partners across the Atlantic and the Middle East.

In other international headlines, a security incident near Europe’s skies drew attention to evolving threats. Copenhagen’s main airport briefly closed after authorities detected drones above the airfield, forcing at least a dozen flights to reroute and delaying schedules. Similar drone sightings were reported over Oslo and Stockholm, with authorities urging vigilance. The incidents come as Western capitals reassess airspace security and the potential for new forms of threat that require coordinated civil and military responses.

Turning to the Palestinian leadership’s own diplomacy, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered remarks at the UN urging a course for peace that anchors a two-state solution and calls for a future where Gaza’s governance is transitioned to the Palestinian Authority, under a demilitarized framework that respects Israel’s right to exist. In a structured list of eight points, Abbas emphasized the moral and political dimensions of the conflict: condemnation of occupation and violence by all sides, insistence on international aid to Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory, the release of hostages, and a commitment to elections to establish a legitimate leadership within a year of the war’s conclusion. Abbas’s speech also included a reaffirmation of recognition of Israel’s right to exist and a call for negotiations, while cautioning against conflating solidarity with antisemitism. The address framed the Palestinian leadership’s stance as grounded in a pursuit of statehood that coexists with security and peace for both peoples.

Against that backdrop, the broader US approach to the region continues to hinge on a strategy of “peace through strength.” The Trump administration’s emphasis on aligning with Israel’s security needs while supporting a viable two-state framework remains a touchstone for allied diplomacy, even as other governments push new recognitions and new peace formulas. In Washington, officials stress the need for credible guarantees to sustain any ceasefire, including humanitarian access, the safe return of hostages, and a credible mechanism to prevent a renewed cycle of violence. The aim is not only to stop the current fighting but to set in motion a political track that addresses the legitimate security concerns of Israel while acknowledging Palestinian rights and state aspirations.

In sum, a moment of intense diplomatic activity is shaping the path forward: a US-led effort to end the Gaza war with broad regional participation; a renewed push, or at least a renewed discussion, about a two-state plan anchored by international recognition and security guarantees; and a backdrop of security challenges and political mobilization across Europe and the Arab world. The coming days will test whether these parallel tracks—diplomacy and security—can converge into a durable framework that reduces civilian suffering, preserves Israel’s security, and honors Palestinian hopes for statehood within a negotiated settlement. We will continue to follow the talks, the proposals, and the on-the-ground realities in Gaza and the surrounding region as this process unfolds.

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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https://www.jpost.com

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