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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-05-28 at 03:04
HEADLINES
1. Last Hostages Remain Trapped as Hope Dwindles
2. Israel Pushes for War End Amid Humanitarian Crisis
3. Historic Tragedy Resurfaces in Forgotten Jewish Children
The time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 11 p.m., we bring you an update on the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza, as the country marks 600 days since the devastating events of October 7, 2023. Over this period, the focus has remained on the plight of 58 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, with about 20 believed to be alive. These individuals have endured nearly two years of confinement, suffering physical and emotional torture, dehydration, and deprivation of basic necessities, according to testimonies from those released. Despite relentless military operations by Israeli forces in Gaza over the past 18 months, the chances of rescuing the remaining hostages through direct action are now considered virtually nil.
Since the start of the conflict, Israel has successfully returned 148 hostages—105 in the ceasefire of 2023, five outside any agreement, eight rescued by the IDF, and 30 during this year's ceasefire. Tragically, there have been fatalities, including mistaken shootings of escapees and executions by Hamas of those close to rescue. These heartbreaking losses underscore the grim reality that the likelihood of a military rescue diminishes with each passing day.
The Israeli government emphasizes that the only viable resolution at this stage is to negotiate an end to the war in exchange for the remaining hostages. A proposed plan, known as the Witkoff plan—initially supported by US efforts and backed by Gulf countries—stipulates the release of some hostages and a ceasefire in exchange for negotiations over Gaza’s future. However, Israel and Hamas interpret these proposals differently. While Israel considers the plans inadequate and believes the focus should now be on ending the conflict and securing the hostages, Hamas reportedly suggests a smaller number of hostages released with longer ceasefire periods.
The broader strategic context remains stark. Israel has inflicted significant damage on Hamas and Gaza, destroying infrastructure and weakening the terrorist organization’s lethal capabilities. Military experts agree that Hamas's threat to Israel is substantially diminished and that prolonged conflict may no longer serve Israel’s security interests. Still, the Israeli leadership insists that if Hamas refuses to accept the negotiated terms, the conflict must persist until a decisive resolution is achieved.
Israel’s position is clear: the country is exhausted from 18 months of conflict but remains committed to its core objective—ensuring the safety of its citizens and the return of the hostages. The government stresses that a continued military campaign is necessary if diplomatic efforts fail, asserting that Israel can handle a weakened Hamas at its southern border and that international commitments—specifically, the promise that Hamas will no longer rule Gaza—must be enforced.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The United Nations has described the conditions as “heartbreaking,” with images of desperate civilians rushing food supplies. The UN and its partners have a detailed plan to provide aid, yet access remains difficult amid ongoing hostilities. The collective suffering highlights the urgent need for a sustainable resolution that balances security concerns with humanitarian needs.
On a different note, cultural and historical stories continue to resonate globally. A new documentary sheds light on the tragic history of 2,000 Jewish children seized in 1493 by Portuguese authorities, forcibly converted, and deported to the island of Sao Tomé, where many perished under brutal conditions. This story, linked to past atrocities, echoes present-day tragedies
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago