Israel Today: Ongoing War Report podcast

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-08-12 at 13:05

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HEADLINES
- Israel Details Hamas Hostage Abuses, Longstanding Injuries
- Netanyahu to Testify Weekly in Corruption Trials
- Elders Call Gaza Genocide Urge Ceasefire

The time is now 9:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 9:00 AM, here is your concise hourly briefing on the latest developments across Israel, Gaza, and the broader region.

The health ministry in Israel has released a comprehensive report on hostages held in Gaza, describing deliberate starvation, physical and emotional torture, and other forms of abuse carried out by Hamas according to testimonies from returnees and medical records. The report portrays significant and long‑lasting damage, including nerve injuries and chronic pain, with some captives still in need of intensive rehabilitation months after their release. Israeli officials insist the abuses reflect a calculated campaign by Hamas against abductees and civilians alike, and they stress the importance of international pressure and accountability. In response, Hamas and its supporters dispute the portrayal, framing the humanitarian situation differently in various international forums.

On the battlefield and security front, Israeli authorities say the Gaza war remains tightly focused on strategic objectives, including the possibility of a renewed offensive in Gaza City. Officials said they are studying timelines and troop needs while maintaining readiness in the north of the West Bank as part of broader defensive plans. In domestic security developments, authorities report continued incidents near or within Palestinian areas, including a recent incident in Kalkilya where two Israeli women were rescued by the Civil Administration after being found in the market area, with security coordination framed as essential to safety. Separately, a number of Palestinians from Gaza have been detained in border and security operations conducted inside northern Israel, underscoring ongoing tension at the edges of Israeli territory.

Inside Israel, a major domestic political development continues to unfold: the judiciary has scheduled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to testify multiple times per week beginning in November as part of the corruption trials, with judges also weighing possible relocation of hearings to Beit Shemesh due to shelter concerns in Jerusalem. The government and courts say this acceleration is necessary to advance the legal process during a time of wartime obligations. In parallel, a broad wave of public demonstrations is planned by hostage families and supporting groups, including a general strike call on August 17 backed by universities and dozens of local authorities. Some universities have indicated staff may participate, while exams will proceed as scheduled in many cases.

Internationally, several bodies and figures are weighing in on Gaza and related security concerns. The Council of Europe urged member states to halt arms deliveries to Israel if they could be used to commit human rights violations, tying calls for stricter export controls to humanitarian access and civilian protection. The Elders, a group of former global leaders, characterized the Gaza situation as an unfolding genocide linked to aid restrictions, calling for a ceasefire, the immediate release of hostages, and a reconsideration of humanitarian corridors. In diplomatic remarks, US officials have framed Palestinian state recognition as contingent on preconditions and the path to normalization with regional partners, underscoring a broader emphasis on peace terms that include security guarantees for Israel. The Trump administration’s posture, as referenced in recent briefings, emphasizes peace through strength and allied coordination with Israel.

Humanitarian access and aid debates continue to surface. A Red Cross request for urgent medical and humanitarian assistance to Gaza has been echoed by Israeli officials, who say efforts to deliver life-saving aid must be unhindered. In the sphere of regional diplomacy, humanitarian and security considerations are increasingly linked to strategic decisions on how and when to widen or limit military operations in Gaza, and how to manage hostages’ fate in tandem with international mediation efforts.

Regionally, Europe continues to face extreme heat and wildfires as the Mediterranean region endures a heatwave with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in several countries. Firefighting resources are deployed across Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, and parts of the Balkans, with evacuations and heightened readiness. On a different note, Iran reports a sweeping security drive during the June hostilities with Israel, including the detention of tens of thousands of suspects and a wide net of roadblocks and information campaigns aimed at identifying potential threats tied to the conflict, alongside arrests of illegal migrants and espionage suspects. Tehran says police have conducted thousands of checks and hundreds of related arrests as the war climate intensified.

In other cross-border security news, authorities in Canada reported an arrest in Montreal after a violent assault on a Hasidic father in a public park, drawing condemnation from community groups and calls for continued vigilance against antisemitic violence. In Europe, authorities also noted intensified scrutiny of security measures and human rights considerations amid ongoing conflict dynamics in the Middle East.

As dawn turns to day, the overarching picture remains one of a fragile ceasefire picture shadowed by persistent threats, a humanitarian crisis in Gaza framed by competing narratives, and a regional security environment that continues to stress Israel’s insistence on security, accountability, and the safe return of hostages, while international voices urge restraint and humanitarian access. The administration’s stated preference for strength in pursuing stability—coupled with ongoing diplomacy and backing for hostages’ families—continues to shape how these events unfold at home and abroad.

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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