Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-26 at 15:08

---

---

HEADLINES
Gaza deal near as hostages loom
Iran sanctions snapback reshape regional diplomacy
Assad arrest warrant highlights international accountability

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is an hourly regional update as of 11:01 AM, with a focus on Gaza, Iran and its proxies, Syria and Lebanon, and the wider international and domestic currents shaping the region.

First, in Gaza and the broader confrontation, Washington and Jerusalem are signaling momentum toward a resolution. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters before leaving the White House for the Ryder Cup in New York, said that a deal to end Gaza fighting and secure the release of hostages appears near. The comments come as Israel continues to define its aim of restoring security and rescue objectives, while the hostage issue remains central to diplomacy and domestic debate about how to ensure safe return of captives.

Turning to Iran and its region-wide footprint, experts caution against counting Iran out of any diplomacy while also warning of the pressures Iran faces. A productive international stance toward Tehran is shaping calculations in capitals around the world, including Israel and its allies. Snapback sanctions and efforts to rebuild Iran’s nuclear capabilities are shaping incentives for various actors in the region. Israel emphasizes that any arrangement must prevent further weapon proliferation and provide credible guarantees for hostages, while many observers say the region has shifted away from simple “talks only” scenarios toward a mix of leverage and diplomacy.

In Syria, accountability questions echo from a different frame. An arrest warrant against Bashar al-Assad is noted by observers as a marker of legal accountability, even as enforcement remains uncertain given the complexities of cross-border authority and ongoing conflict. The development underscores a broader pattern of international pressure about human rights and governance while narratives about sovereignty and security persist.

Public diplomacy in Israel continues to blend symbolism with messaging. In New York, Netanyahu’s UN appearance included a public-relations move—a QR code on his public-facing pin linked to a widely circulated video from the Oct. 7 attacks. The device is part of a broader push to communicate the scale of the threat Hamas poses and to frame Israel’s security needs in the context of regional stability and global security.

On the ground, Israel says it will continue to strike targets linked to Hamas in Gaza to degrade the organization’s ability to plan and execute attacks. The latest military statement outlined an air strike against a multi-story building used by Hamas for surveillance posts and terrorist operations, noting that civilians were warned in advance and that precise munitions and airborne surveillance sought to limit harm to noncombatants. The fight against Hamas remains a central element of Israel’s strategy, even as international diplomacy seeks ways to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages.

Within Israel’s political space, debate remains acute. Yesha leaders are racing to meet Netanyahu in New York as discussions unfold about the path forward in the West Bank, where annexation plans have drawn opposition from various corners of the international community and from within Israel’s own political spectrum. In Washington, officials emphasize an alignment with Israel’s aim of security and stability in the region, with hostage releases and long-term arrangements for Gaza and the West Bank in view as part of a broader approach.

Among US developments, there are parallel lines of communication and diplomacy. Reports indicate a high-level visit to the region by a senior American official with unplanned travel that reflects ongoing engagement. The exact destin

---

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago