Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-09 at 11:08

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HEADLINES
- Gaza City evacuated ahead of looming operation
- Israel embraces Trump plan for hostage release
- Israel strikes Hezbollah as northern front grows

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. This is the 7:01 AM update on the day’s developments in Israel, the region, and beyond.

The ceasefire landscape remains fragile. An uneasy pause between Israel and Iran and the broader Iranian-backed networks continues to hold only tenuous ground, with sporadic exchanges and no clear path to a durable settlement. In parallel, Israel and its allies have been pursuing tracks to end the Gaza conflict that seeks both a permanent halt to hostilities and a guaranteed return of hostages, even as fighting in Gaza City and surrounding areas intensifies. The battle lines are shifting as the Israeli military signals readiness for a major ground phase in Gaza City, while international voices press for humanitarian relief and a political framework that prevents further bloodshed.

In Gaza, the war’s dynamics continued to unfold with notable developments on the ground. Israel ordered the evacuation of Gaza City civilians ahead of a planned operation, telling residents to move south toward what it designates as a humanitarian zone near the coast. The military contends the city will be entered and fought in with overwhelming force while arguing that Hamas uses civilians as cover. Palestinian civilians in Gaza City describe a frightening and precarious escape as multistory buildings come under heavy bombardment. The Hamas-run civil defense agency reported that several tall towers—each capable of housing thousands—had been hit in the latest strikes, conditions that have displaced tens of thousands and raised grave concerns about shelter, food, water, and medical care for residents. The Israeli military asserts it is targeting structures it says Hamas uses for surveillance and command, and it notes the hostages’ families remain deeply concerned as plans for a larger operation intensify. A separate tally from the Hamas civil defense body estimates hundreds of people displaced by strikes on several high-rise buildings, with emergency crews working to assist survivors and to clear crushed streets and damaged infrastructure.

On the diplomatic front, Israel’s government publicly embraced the Trump administration’s outline for a comprehensive hostage deal and a permanent Gaza ceasefire. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced publicly that Israel has said yes to the plan, stressing that the war could end tomorrow if Hamas accepts the terms, including the release of all remaining captives and a disarmament of Hamas, along with a political reconfiguration that removes Hamas from power. The plan’s finer details remain closely watched by observers, particularly questions about Israeli troop withdrawals, the sequencing of hostage releases, and the mechanism to ensure Hamas disarms. In Jerusalem and in allied capitals, officials emphasize that a durable arrangement must be anchored in security guarantees for Israel, including the prevention of renewed rocket fire and the restoration of calm for ordinary civilians on both sides.

Israel’s operations extend beyond Gaza’s borders. In Lebanon and Syria, the Israeli defense apparatus has conducted strikes against targets it says belong to Hezbollah and other Iran-backed forces, part of a broader effort to curb Iranian influence and deter reciprocal escalation. The Israeli military has described its actions as part of a broader campaign to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities and to prevent attacks along northern fronts. In turn, observers note Hezbollah’s capacity has been strained, though the group remains a potent factor in the region, capable of launching and sustaining actions should strategic priorities shift. In the neighboring theater of Yemen, the Houthis

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Published on 9 hours ago