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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-07-04 at 06:04
HEADLINES
1. Gaza Considers De-Escalation Amid Ceasefire Talks
2. Israel Reinforces Security After False Alarm Alerts
3. Regional Diplomacy Focuses on Hostage Return Efforts
The time is now 02:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 2:00 a.m., tensions in the Middle East remain high amid ongoing hostilities and strategic developments. Israeli military sources confirm that an alert was briefly activated along the Gaza Strip's eastern corridor, the route known as the "eastern passage." However, initial reports indicate this was a false alarm. Meanwhile, in southern Israel, a red alert sounded in the area surrounding Gaza, prompting immediate military response and heightened readiness.
In Gaza, reports suggest that Hamas has signaled a willingness to consider a temporary and symbolic de-escalation, including the possible departure of some senior members from the enclave. This appears to be part of discussions with other Palestinian factions regarding a ceasefire proposal, which is expected to be communicated within the next 24 hours. The United States' former president, Donald Trump, has publicly commented on the situation, emphasizing that Hamas's response is forthcoming and highlighting that Israel remains the most capable regional military power, capable of actions others cannot match.
On the ground in Israel, security measures continue to be reinforced. An early warning was also issued in the Bedouin route area, but officials confirmed it was a false alarm. Along the northern highway 784 near Manda, a violent robbery occurred yesterday afternoon, with thieves armed and masked, stealing over 100,000 dollars and tens of thousands of euros from a vehicle. Three suspects, residents of the northern regions, were apprehended following a chase involving motorcycle units.
In broader regional movements, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, in Abu Dhabi. The discussions focused on the importance of securing the return of all hostages held by Hamas. Lapid, during his visit, also met with the UAE Foreign Minister, Abdullah bin Zayed, and called for regional Arab pressure on Hamas to facilitate a ceasefire deal. He underscored Israel’s military capabilities and its role as the region’s dominant power, asserting that Israel can undertake actions others cannot.
International markets reflected cautious optimism with Asian indices showing minor changes; Tokyo’s Nikkei dipped slightly, while Shanghai’s SSE gained half a percent. European markets closed with modest gains, and US markets celebrated the recent Independence Day holiday with positive performances across major indices—Dow Jones up 0.77%, S&P 500 rising 0.83%, and Nasdaq increasing by 1.02%.
Domestically, in Israel, the weather remains clear to partly cloudy, with typical seasonal temperatures. Coastal areas experience warm and humid conditions, with southwest to northwest winds blowing at 15 to 35 kilometers per hour over the Mediterranean Sea, where waves reach 60 to 110 centimeters. Temperatures in cities across the country are forecast to be in the high twenties to mid-thirties Celsius, with Eilat reaching 39 degrees.
In other security developments, a tragic traffic accident on Highway 6 resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man after a collision between a truck and a private vehicle. Emergency services reported that the victim was found unresponsive with multi-system trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. A second individual was treated for minor injuries and transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital.
Meanwhile, in Iran, speculation persists about the whereabouts of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, with reports suggesting that he has not been seen publicly and raising questions about his status amid ongoing internal uncertainties.
Published on 3 days, 13 hours ago