Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-12 at 18:08
9/12/2025
0:00
9:54
HEADLINES
UN backs two-state plan 142-12-10
Israel pounds 500 Hamas sites in Gaza
Egypt curbs Israel security over Doha
The time is now 2:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 2:00 PM update on the regional security picture, the diplomacy playing out around it, and the domestic echoes at work in Israel and beyond.
The United Nations today moved forward with a strong international signal in favor of a two‑state approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The General Assembly approved a resolution backing the implementation of a two-state solution and the creation of a Palestinian state. The vote was decisive, with 142 countries supporting the measure, 12 abstentions, and 10 voting against it, among them the United States, Hungary, and Argentina. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized the move, saying the resolution is a one‑sided declaration that ignores realities on the ground and, in his view, rewards terror while delaying any path toward peace. The moment underscores how the international community remains divided over the best path to a durable settlement, even as the immediate conflict continues to shape lives and security calculations on the ground.
On the security front, a key regional development underscored by the Doha incident and its aftershocks: Egypt has reportedly scaled back some security coordination with Israel in the wake of Israel’s strike in Doha against Hamas leadership targets. Reported moves include reorganizing security communications between Cairo and Jerusalem as part of a broader recalibration of how their security establishments interact in the current environment. The episode highlights how tightly wound the security architecture of the region remains and how shifts in one relationship can ripple through others that are essential to stabilizing the wider crisis.
Back home in Jerusalem, a stark reminder of how the fight for narrative and legitimacy can play out in public spaces. A message critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was broadcast on hacked screens at a major junction, described by observers as a brazen digital attack that raises questions about the vulnerability of public displays and the potential for abuse of public channels in politically sensitive moments. Officials pledged to investigate and restore safeguards, while commentators said the incident underscores the broader vulnerability of public infrastructure to increasingly sophisticated online intrusions amid a charged political and security climate.
In London, authorities reported the arrest of a suspected vandal who smeared several Jewish sites with excrement in what investigators described as a hate crime. The episodes targeted seven properties tied to Jewish community life, including synagogues, private homes, and nurseries. Police investigations and public condemnations followed, as law enforcement and community leaders stressed the need for chargeable, swift action to deter such attacks and to reassure communities concerned about safety in the wake of regional conflict and domestic political tensions.
In the United States, a prominent faith leader, Troy Miller of the National Religious Broadcasters, drew attention to a debate over speech and violence, arguing that free expression must be balanced with responsibility. The broader political moment surrounding the Israel-Gaza crisis continues to test the capacity of public discourse to remain focused on security needs and humanitarian concerns while avoiding escalation or misrepresentation.
Turning to the Gaza front, Israel says its campaign against Hamas is continuing with a broad, intense set of operations. Officials report that Israeli forces have targeted more than 500 military sites in Gaza City and surrounding areas as part of efforts to degrade the group’s ability to wage war and to degrade infrastructure used for militant activity. In parallel, the Hamas leadership has signaled that it remains prepared to negotiate under conditions that include demilitarization and a new governance arrangement for Gaza, a stance that Israeli officials say remains distant from reality on the ground. Complicating matters, the hostage situation remains central to any forward motion. Estimates circulated by Israeli officials indicate that Hamas and allied groups hold around 48 hostages in Gaza, including 47 taken on October 7, 2023, with as many as 20 believed to be alive, while a larger cadre of missing Palestinians remains unaccounted for. The overall tally also includes a number of bodies, with ongoing efforts to verify status and well-being of those held. In public remarks, US President Donald Trump has asserted that some hostages could have died in recent days and signaled a return to a tough posture toward Hamas, saying the United States would not pursue a partial, phased release deal but instead would press for resolution that brings all hostages home. The Trump stance has been described by some aides as frustrating to Israel’s leadership at times, as negotiations and tactical decisions unfold in parallel.
The hostage issue, already a focal point of US domestic concern, has drawn in the families and advocacy groups who are calling for urgent meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu. They stress that progress toward any ceasefire or release framework will hinge on credible guarantees regarding the fate of the hostages and the broader humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Alongside the Gaza focus, Europe’s diplomatic perimeter has seen tensions flare over symbolism and legitimacy in sport and culture. In Spain, Israeli chess players withdrew from a Spanish tournament after organizers barred them from competing under the Israeli flag, a move organizers tied to the political climate surrounding the Gaza war. The International Chess Federation said it was not consulted on the decision and condemned discrimination on the basis of nationality or flag. In related, though separate, developments, the broader political climate in Europe includes ongoing debates about recognition of a Palestinian state and how public institutions respond to the crisis in Gaza and its spillover effects.
In the Gulf region, a separate diplomatic note was sounded as the United Arab Emirates summoned a senior Israeli diplomat to a formal reprimand over an Israeli strike in Qatar. The meeting, described in Hebrew-language coverage as a “reprimand and clarification,” signals continued sensitivities in how regional partners manage their public messaging and diplomatic conversations in light of the broader regional realignment and security concerns.
Turn to wider regional security architecture and commentary. A wide-ranging set of reports notes that while a formal ceasefire between Israel and Iran remains fragile, the proximity of talks and the ongoing security adjustments by various states illustrate how regional actors are recalibrating, with some leaning toward more aggressive postures at the same time others advocate restraint and negotiated outcomes. The Doha episode, in particular, has become a touchstone for discussing how much space Hamas and allied factions will be allowed in shaping governance in Gaza and how much pressure will be applied on other fronts—whether in Syria, Lebanon, or Yemen—to deter escalation and to prevent a broader, multi-front confrontation.
A note on regional actors and public messaging: Libya’s Grand Mufti publicly disputed rumors that the United States under President Trump might relocate Gazans there, a claim linked to broader debates about who bears responsibility for humanitarian protection and potential resettlement in wartime scenarios. And in the West Bank and surrounding territories, domestic political debates over security measures and collective responses to violence continue to shape policymakers’ considerations about how to balance safety with civil rights and humanitarian obligations.
On the humanitarian and security horizon in Yemen, analysts describe a protracted, costly conflict along the Bab el-Mandeb corridor, with ongoing Houthi activity and the broader regional implications for maritime security, refugee flows, and humanitarian access. The struggle for influence in this corner of the Middle East remains tethered to the broader confrontation between regional actors and non-state groups, with spillover effects touching energy routes, shipping lanes, and international diplomacy.
Finally, a note on how these strands connect to a "peace through strength" approach in the United States and Israel: supporters stress that firm security postures and clear, consistent messaging on deterrence help prevent escalation and create space for diplomacy. Critics caution that punitive or hardline tactics risk triggering cycles of retaliation and humanitarian deterioration. What remains clear is that the next phase of the conflict—whether through a new security arrangement, a broader ceasefire, or a negotiated political settlement—will require careful navigation of a shifting regional landscape, steadfast support for civilians affected by the fighting, and sustained international engagement to keep alive pathways toward a sustainable peace.
As events continue to unfold, this broadcast will stay focused on the facts on the ground, the evolving diplomatic signals, and the human stakes involved in this long-running crisis. We will continue to bring you updates as new information becomes available.
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/diaspora/article-867286
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-867285
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867284
https://www.jpost.com/international/
UN backs two-state plan 142-12-10
Israel pounds 500 Hamas sites in Gaza
Egypt curbs Israel security over Doha
The time is now 2:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the 2:00 PM update on the regional security picture, the diplomacy playing out around it, and the domestic echoes at work in Israel and beyond.
The United Nations today moved forward with a strong international signal in favor of a two‑state approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The General Assembly approved a resolution backing the implementation of a two-state solution and the creation of a Palestinian state. The vote was decisive, with 142 countries supporting the measure, 12 abstentions, and 10 voting against it, among them the United States, Hungary, and Argentina. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized the move, saying the resolution is a one‑sided declaration that ignores realities on the ground and, in his view, rewards terror while delaying any path toward peace. The moment underscores how the international community remains divided over the best path to a durable settlement, even as the immediate conflict continues to shape lives and security calculations on the ground.
On the security front, a key regional development underscored by the Doha incident and its aftershocks: Egypt has reportedly scaled back some security coordination with Israel in the wake of Israel’s strike in Doha against Hamas leadership targets. Reported moves include reorganizing security communications between Cairo and Jerusalem as part of a broader recalibration of how their security establishments interact in the current environment. The episode highlights how tightly wound the security architecture of the region remains and how shifts in one relationship can ripple through others that are essential to stabilizing the wider crisis.
Back home in Jerusalem, a stark reminder of how the fight for narrative and legitimacy can play out in public spaces. A message critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was broadcast on hacked screens at a major junction, described by observers as a brazen digital attack that raises questions about the vulnerability of public displays and the potential for abuse of public channels in politically sensitive moments. Officials pledged to investigate and restore safeguards, while commentators said the incident underscores the broader vulnerability of public infrastructure to increasingly sophisticated online intrusions amid a charged political and security climate.
In London, authorities reported the arrest of a suspected vandal who smeared several Jewish sites with excrement in what investigators described as a hate crime. The episodes targeted seven properties tied to Jewish community life, including synagogues, private homes, and nurseries. Police investigations and public condemnations followed, as law enforcement and community leaders stressed the need for chargeable, swift action to deter such attacks and to reassure communities concerned about safety in the wake of regional conflict and domestic political tensions.
In the United States, a prominent faith leader, Troy Miller of the National Religious Broadcasters, drew attention to a debate over speech and violence, arguing that free expression must be balanced with responsibility. The broader political moment surrounding the Israel-Gaza crisis continues to test the capacity of public discourse to remain focused on security needs and humanitarian concerns while avoiding escalation or misrepresentation.
Turning to the Gaza front, Israel says its campaign against Hamas is continuing with a broad, intense set of operations. Officials report that Israeli forces have targeted more than 500 military sites in Gaza City and surrounding areas as part of efforts to degrade the group’s ability to wage war and to degrade infrastructure used for militant activity. In parallel, the Hamas leadership has signaled that it remains prepared to negotiate under conditions that include demilitarization and a new governance arrangement for Gaza, a stance that Israeli officials say remains distant from reality on the ground. Complicating matters, the hostage situation remains central to any forward motion. Estimates circulated by Israeli officials indicate that Hamas and allied groups hold around 48 hostages in Gaza, including 47 taken on October 7, 2023, with as many as 20 believed to be alive, while a larger cadre of missing Palestinians remains unaccounted for. The overall tally also includes a number of bodies, with ongoing efforts to verify status and well-being of those held. In public remarks, US President Donald Trump has asserted that some hostages could have died in recent days and signaled a return to a tough posture toward Hamas, saying the United States would not pursue a partial, phased release deal but instead would press for resolution that brings all hostages home. The Trump stance has been described by some aides as frustrating to Israel’s leadership at times, as negotiations and tactical decisions unfold in parallel.
The hostage issue, already a focal point of US domestic concern, has drawn in the families and advocacy groups who are calling for urgent meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu. They stress that progress toward any ceasefire or release framework will hinge on credible guarantees regarding the fate of the hostages and the broader humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Alongside the Gaza focus, Europe’s diplomatic perimeter has seen tensions flare over symbolism and legitimacy in sport and culture. In Spain, Israeli chess players withdrew from a Spanish tournament after organizers barred them from competing under the Israeli flag, a move organizers tied to the political climate surrounding the Gaza war. The International Chess Federation said it was not consulted on the decision and condemned discrimination on the basis of nationality or flag. In related, though separate, developments, the broader political climate in Europe includes ongoing debates about recognition of a Palestinian state and how public institutions respond to the crisis in Gaza and its spillover effects.
In the Gulf region, a separate diplomatic note was sounded as the United Arab Emirates summoned a senior Israeli diplomat to a formal reprimand over an Israeli strike in Qatar. The meeting, described in Hebrew-language coverage as a “reprimand and clarification,” signals continued sensitivities in how regional partners manage their public messaging and diplomatic conversations in light of the broader regional realignment and security concerns.
Turn to wider regional security architecture and commentary. A wide-ranging set of reports notes that while a formal ceasefire between Israel and Iran remains fragile, the proximity of talks and the ongoing security adjustments by various states illustrate how regional actors are recalibrating, with some leaning toward more aggressive postures at the same time others advocate restraint and negotiated outcomes. The Doha episode, in particular, has become a touchstone for discussing how much space Hamas and allied factions will be allowed in shaping governance in Gaza and how much pressure will be applied on other fronts—whether in Syria, Lebanon, or Yemen—to deter escalation and to prevent a broader, multi-front confrontation.
A note on regional actors and public messaging: Libya’s Grand Mufti publicly disputed rumors that the United States under President Trump might relocate Gazans there, a claim linked to broader debates about who bears responsibility for humanitarian protection and potential resettlement in wartime scenarios. And in the West Bank and surrounding territories, domestic political debates over security measures and collective responses to violence continue to shape policymakers’ considerations about how to balance safety with civil rights and humanitarian obligations.
On the humanitarian and security horizon in Yemen, analysts describe a protracted, costly conflict along the Bab el-Mandeb corridor, with ongoing Houthi activity and the broader regional implications for maritime security, refugee flows, and humanitarian access. The struggle for influence in this corner of the Middle East remains tethered to the broader confrontation between regional actors and non-state groups, with spillover effects touching energy routes, shipping lanes, and international diplomacy.
Finally, a note on how these strands connect to a "peace through strength" approach in the United States and Israel: supporters stress that firm security postures and clear, consistent messaging on deterrence help prevent escalation and create space for diplomacy. Critics caution that punitive or hardline tactics risk triggering cycles of retaliation and humanitarian deterioration. What remains clear is that the next phase of the conflict—whether through a new security arrangement, a broader ceasefire, or a negotiated political settlement—will require careful navigation of a shifting regional landscape, steadfast support for civilians affected by the fighting, and sustained international engagement to keep alive pathways toward a sustainable peace.
As events continue to unfold, this broadcast will stay focused on the facts on the ground, the evolving diplomatic signals, and the human stakes involved in this long-running crisis. We will continue to bring you updates as new information becomes available.
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/diaspora/article-867286
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-867285
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867284
https://www.jpost.com/international/
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