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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-25 at 00:08
HEADLINES
Gaza airstrike leaves 11 missing civilians
Ukraine and Syria restore diplomatic ties
Trump unveils 21-point Gaza peace plan
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
As of 8:00 PM, here is the hour’s news update.
The security picture in and around Israel remains unsettled, with the Gaza fighting shaping much of the region’s current dynamics. Israeli forces say operations against Hamas continue, aimed at curbing rocket fire and destabilizing the militant group’s command and control. In central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike on a family home north of Al-Zawaida left 11 people reported missing, underscoring the civilian humanitarian toll of the campaign. Across the enclave, at least dozens of hostages still captive since Hamas’ 2023 cross-border assault remain unaccounted for, even as fighting and humanitarian needs persist. The situation on the ground is fluid, with military moves, casualty reports, and evolving humanitarian access drawing attention from Washington to European capitals.
On the diplomatic front, stark shifts are underway beyond Gaza. Ukraine and Syria formally restored diplomatic relations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, a move Kyiv tied to a broader realignment and to Syria’s 2022 decision to recognize parts of Ukrainian territory as independent following Russia’s invasion. Syrian officials used the UN platform to press for sanctions relief and to call for dialogue and reconciliation, arguing for a place for Syria back in the international community. In Jerusalem and Damascus alike, observers note these shifts reflect a broader regional calculus about leverage, influence, and the pathways to stabilization.
The regional narrative was further shaped by remarks at the UN General Assembly from Syria’s leadership and a pointed exchange over Israel’s policies. Syria’s leadership used the UN stage to accuse Israel of aggression and to call for a de-escalation of sanctions and a return to diplomacy, while stressing a commitment to 1974-era agreements and regional dialogue. In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry publicly criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas after his UN appearance, highlighting what it described as symbols of intent to erase Israel, a reminder that the Palestinian track remains a contentious element in any broader peace effort.
Meanwhile, a tactical episode in the West Bank and Gaza added to the sense of ongoing risk. Reports indicate a siege operation around a house in Tul-Karm, with forces surrounding the target and reports of mounted fire including several shoulder-fired missiles, illustrating the continuing volatility in the occupied territories even as diplomatic channels persist elsewhere.
In Washington, the US role in the search for a path to a durable outcome continues to be a central feature of the discourse. President Trump has presented a 21-point peace plan to regional partners, described as addressing core Israeli concerns and the region’s broader security worries. Steve Witkoff, the US envoy, said he is hopeful—indeed confident—that a Gaza breakthrough could emerge in the coming days as Arab and Islamic leaders engage on the plan’s framework. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that a coordinated approach among the United States, Europe, and the Arab states could yield results, with discussions touching on the possible dismantling of Hamas and an international stabilization presence in Gaza to support reconstruction. Israeli officials have signaled a cautious approach, indicating any final plan will require their assessment and alignment with US leadership.
The humanitarian and civilian dimension remains front and center. A humanitarian flotilla to Gaza has faced rapid developments, with emergency measures declared by authorities overseeing the maritime corridor and wa
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago