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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-26 at 02:09
HEADLINES
Blair eyed for Gaza postwar governance role
Comey indicted amid US political legal clash
Sarkozy sentenced over Libyan campaign funds
The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Tonight’s hourly news update from the newsroom:
In a developing bid to shape postwar governance, former British prime minister Tony Blair is being eyed for a senior role in a future governing body for Gaza. Reports in the Financial Times, confirmed by Reuters, say Blair is being considered to chair a supervisory board called the Gaza International Transitional Authority, a mechanism tied to a peace plan being developed in Washington and backed by allies of President Donald Trump. The proposal comes as discussions intensify over how to manage Gaza after major fighting, with the Trump administration seeking assurances from regional partners that a postwar framework can prevent renewed violence. The proposal has not been officially verified by all sides, and Blair’s involvement remains a matter of rumor and briefing at this stage.
In Washington, the federal investigative apparatus is moving forward with charges that span multiple targets in what critics describe as a broader push to quiet dissent. Former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James Comey has been indicted on criminal charges including making false statements and obstruction of justice. The indictment is being viewed in the context of political rhetoric and enforcement strategies surrounding the 2024 presidential contest, with supporters of the former president arguing that opponents are being pursued for political reasons, and critics arguing that the law is being applied even-handedly. The case is expected to center on statements made during probes that intersect with ongoing political and legal battles in the United States.
A separate, high-profile case from the realm of social media and crime concerns a 17-year-old TikTok influencer, Sana Yousaf, who was shot dead outside her home after she declined a man’s requests for friendship. A suspect has been indicted on charges tied to the killing, which has drawn renewed attention to violence against young people and the vulnerability of public figures who share their lives online.
Across Europe, tensions persist as Russia accuses the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union of waging a kind of real war through support for Ukraine. The fireworks of the eastern flank continued as authorities in Estonia said Russian aircraft entered its airspace, a development that came days after North Atlantic Treaty Organization jets shot down Russian drones in Polish airspace. The situation underscores the fragile security dynamic in the region, with Moscow insisting it is threatened by Western actions while Western capitals emphasize defense of territorial integrity and alliance commitments.
In Europe’s political arena, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to attempts to obtain campaign funds from the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 presidential bid. The verdict is to take immediate effect, sparking immediate questions about the future of Sarkozy’s political career and the resilience of France’s judiciary in the face of intense political pressure. Sarkozy, who has long denied wrongdoing, faces appeals processes that will determine how this ruling is applied and reviewed.
Back in the Middle East, security incidents continue to remind observers of the fragile balance on the ground. In Israel, a 49-year-old motorcyclist was severely injured when struck by a quad bike on Herzl Street in Gedera. The man was rushed to Kaplan Hospital with multi-system injuries and was reported to be unconscious. The incident highlights ongoing concerns over road safety and public safety in
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