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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-04-17 at 21:04
HEADLINES
Israeli Forces Destroy Hamas Infrastructure in Gaza
US Troops Withdraw from Northern Syria
Hamas Rejects Ceasefire, Demands Full Gaza Withdrawal
The time is now 05:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 5:00 PM, tensions and military activity across multiple fronts in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict continue to escalate. In southern Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces have been conducting targeted demolitions in Rafah, with explosions audible in neighboring regions, signaling intensified efforts to dismantle Hamas infrastructure. Reports also indicate that IDF combat engineers are actively destroying houses in the area, aiming to weaken militant capabilities.
Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers neutralized three Palestinian militants who had thrown stones at vehicles on a highway near the town of Azorin. The soldiers responded with live fire, killing two and injuring a third, to prevent further danger to civilians and maintain security.
In northern Israel, a 25-year-old motorcyclist was injured in a fall on Route 79 near Shfaram. Emergency services provided medical treatment on-site before rushing him to Rambam Hospital with head and back injuries.
The US military announced the partial withdrawal of forces from northern Syria, reducing troop numbers from around 2,000 to approximately 1,400, as part of a broader effort to fulfill promises of troop reduction in the region. The move comes amid ongoing geopolitical shifts and strategic recalibrations.
In the maritime arena, the US Central Command has confirmed an airstrike targeting the Houthi-controlled Ras Issa port in Yemen, aimed at disrupting fuel supplies to Houthi forces. Despite the designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization in April, prior shipments of fuel through Ras Issa continued. The recent strike underscores the US commitment to limiting Houthi capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions.
Adding to the complexity, the American hostage situation remains unresolved. Adam Boehler, the US envoy, expressed confidence that Edan Alexander, the sole American-Israeli hostage, is being kept in a "decent place," citing that Hamas would be hesitant to harm him to avoid US retaliation. This assessment follows the release of a propaganda video showing Alexander malnourished and emotionally distressed. Boehler’s direct negotiations with Hamas have sparked controversy in Israel, where officials have criticized his approach and lack of coordination with Israeli authorities.
On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security officials discussed the potential for a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities but ultimately decided against it, favoring diplomatic negotiations amid Iran’s signals of willingness to resume talks. President Trump publicly clarified that he did not dismiss Israeli plans for an attack but emphasized that he was not rushing into military action, favoring a peaceful resolution and emphasizing Iran’s right to have a thriving country without nuclear weapons.
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas and other militant factions continue to reject partial ceasefire proposals. Hamas officials have dismissed Israel's recent offer of a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of ten hostages, calling it a tactic to prolong the conflict. Hamas demands full withdrawal from Gaza, the release of all prisoners, and the complete lifting of the blockade, vowing to continue resistance and maintain their weapons as a legitimate right.
There are reports that Israel has agreed to release nine hostages, a significant shift from previous positions, with discussions ongoing about a comprehensive agreement that includes prisoner exchanges and a durable ceasefire. Nonetheless, Hamas leaders remain firm, accusing Israel of seeking to continue its offensive
Published on 1 month ago