Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-26 at 08:08

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HEADLINES
- Netanyahu to Broadcast UN Speech Inside Gaza
- Iran Sanctions Return as UN Measures Reimposed
- Hostages Force Gaza Action as Strikes Accelerate

The time is now 4:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. The strategic stalemate surrounding Israel’s conflict with Iran and its regional networks remains fragile as the week unfolds. In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government continues to emphasize security as the central pillar of policy, while preparing for global audiences on the crisis’s latest chapter. In New York, the PMO and the Israel Defense Forces signaled a public diplomacy push tied to Netanyahu’s upcoming remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, including plans to broadcast the UN speech inside Gaza via loudspeakers as part of a broader effort to frame the October 7 attacks as the defining event shaping international opinion. At the same time, Palestinian officials have signaled a coordinated walkout from Netanyahu’s UN appearance, underscoring the ongoing fault lines over statehood and recognition in international forums.

Across the Atlantic, European partners and the United States continue to pressure Iran over its nuclear program and regional proxies. Iran sanctions look likely to return at the United Nations, with European powers urging Tehran to reverse a sequence of steps taken after Israeli and American strikes on its nuclear sites this past summer. The reimposition of sweeping UN measures, particularly affecting Iran’s banking and oil sectors, is anticipated to take effect at the end of the week, as diplomats emphasize the importance of a credible, enforceable international posture. In Washington, discussions around Gaza and the broader regional conflict continue to influence US policy, including public signals of collaboration with Israel as Washington weighs practical steps toward a deal that could stabilize the Gaza front while preserving Israel’s security interests.

In the Middle East, the fighting and the hostage situation in Gaza remain pivotal. Israel has conducted broad military operations in Gaza City, citing the need to disable terrorist infrastructure and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The hostage issue looms large for both sides, with hostage families holding demonstrations outside government facilities and urging international leaders to press for progress. Reports also note ongoing Israeli public messaging efforts aimed at keeping international focus on the October 7 attacks, while warnings persist about potential escalations if Iran or its allies escalate their actions.

The region’s non-state actors continue to pose a volatile challenge. Yemen’s Houthi movement maintains the ability to strike from abroad, extending pressure through drone and missile activity. In a recent development, the southern Red Sea area near Israeli routes and regional shipping lanes remains a focal point for heightened security concerns, including assessments of air defenses and civilian shelter capacity in nearby coastal towns. In parallel, Israel’s defense machinery reports persistent activity against suspected militant sites and tunnels in Gaza, with scores of targets struck as part of counterterrorism operations.

Diplomatic overtures by Israel continue to surface as it engages with partners around the world. In New York, Netanyahu met with leaders including Paraguay’s president, who announced recognition of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organizations, and who reiterated support for Israel’s security stance. Netanyahu also held talks with Argentina’s president during the UN week, expressing appreciation for steadfast partnership and discussing expanded economic and security cooperation. Donor nations have signaled support for stability in the Palestinian territories, with Norway leading a coalit

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Published on 1 month, 1 week ago