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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-27 at 06:07
HEADLINES
US Revokes Petro Visa Amid UNGA Backlash
UAE Warns Annexation Could Jeopardize Accords
US 21 Point Gaza Roadmap
The time is now 2:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the hourbyhour briefing at 2:00 a.m. We begin with a cluster of developments that shape diplomacy, security and the daily lives of people across the region.
First, in Washington, a decision shaping international diplomacy and regional credibility was announced: the US government said it will revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro as he travels to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The move follows Petro’s public statements and a speech in which he criticized American leadership and urged soldiers in the US military to refuse orders on actions against what he described as civilian victims in drug-smuggling operations. Petro also used his remarks to criticize President Donald Trump, calling him complicit in perceived Gaza-related harms. The visa revocation underscores a US stance that political rhetoric and actions abroad carry consequences for engagement with Washington, particularly within the broader context of US policy toward the Middle East and its allies.
Turning to the Middle East, there is rising caution about moves on the West Bank. Emirati officials warned that any steps toward annexation could complicate and possibly undermine the Abraham Accords, the normalization framework between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates. The concern is not just about immediate diplomatic optics, but about the longterm regional architecture that the accords are meant to sustain. The UAE’s emphasis remains that Abraham Accords are a cornerstone for regional stability, while also stressing the seriousness of ongoing Israeli actions and their impact on prospects for broader Arab-Israeli peace.
In related regional diplomacy, the United Nations continues to press a framework aimed at stabilizing Gaza and ensuring accountability. The UN has added 68 new West Bank-based companies to its blacklist, signaling a broader international effort to curb activities that could be linked to abuses and violations in the occupied territories. The move highlights international scrutiny of commercial networks operating in or around the West Bank and the expectation that businesses align with human rights protections.
In New York reporting circulating around the same time, questions are being raised about the intersections of diplomacy and private sector interests. Reporters have highlighted that Alex and Zach Witkoff, sons of Steve Witkoff the American real estate investor serving as a special envoy to the Middle East, have been pursuing substantial fundraising in the Gulf region, including potential deals with sovereign funds. TheFather’s official role has prompted scrutiny about conflicts of interest, even as some Gulf partners have signaled continuing interest in investment and development projects that could influence regional dynamics. The family has maintained that business decisions have been ethical and separate from public service.
Meanwhile, a US 21-point plan for ending the Gaza war, described in detail to a small group of Arab and Muslim partners, envisions a path toward a Palestinian state and seeks to resolve the conflict through a phased approach. The plan reportedly calls for a de-radicalized, terror-free Gaza, rapid redevelopment, and a halt to Israeli military operations if agreement is reached. It envisions the return of hostages within 48 hours, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and a framework for humanitarian aid distributed by international organizations under the supervision of an international mechanism. It also includes a pathway to Palestinian statehood once reforms and redevelopment are in place, and a temporary international stabilization force
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago