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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-30 at 02:10
HEADLINES
Fragile Iran ceasefire leaves Israel vigilant
Hamas deputy commander killed amid hostage crisis
US plan ties hostage release to disarmament
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 update covers a wide arc of tension and diplomacy across the region, with echoes in capitals around the world.
Israel says the pause in hostilities with Iran remains fragile. A senior Israeli official warned that Iran has taken a heavy blow from the IDF and understands the extent of the damage, but cautioned that the threat persists and that Israel must remain vigilant and ready to respond if Tehran or its proxies seek to escalate again. The same assessment comes as Iran-linked networks across the region, including in Syria and Lebanon, continue to pose a long shadow over the security calculus in the Levant and beyond.
In Gaza, the campaign against Hamas continues, even as the hostage crisis remains the central hinge of any durable settlement. The Israeli military and security services reported the killing of a Hamas deputy commander who had taken part in hostage-release parades and who was linked to numerous attacks against IDF soldiers in Gaza, including sniper and anti-tank fire. The operation underscores the ongoing effort to degrade Hamas’ leadership and capabilities while the fate of hostages and the future governance of Gaza remain unresolved.
The landscape of diplomacy and planning surrounding Gaza has sharpened in another direction. A comprehensive plan proposed by the United States, led at the White House in coordination with Prime Minister Netanyahu, envisions a pathway to ending the war in Gaza that hinges on Hamas agreeing to a set of disarmament and withdrawal steps, with an international mechanism to oversee a transitional governance period. Under the plan, if Hamas accepts, all 48 remaining hostages would be released within 72 hours, in exchange for the release by Israel of about 250 prisoners serving life sentences, the detention of 1,700 Gazans, and the return of bodies—at a ratio of 15 bodies for every hostage released. The plan also calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a demilitarized Gaza, and a transitional administration led by Palestinian technocrats, under an international Board of Peace. The plan envisions Arab and Muslim partners playing a central role in disarming Hamas and supporting a broader regional normalization, with the aim of creating a viable path to Palestinian self-determination should reforms proceed.
Reaction to the proposal has been mixed inside Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly endorsed the plan during a White House appearance with President Trump but faced skepticism from some coalition partners, particularly on the question of a future Palestinian role and the implications for Gaza’s governance. Some far-right ministers offered muted public responses, while others criticized aspects of the proposal as too generous to Hamas or too slow to deliver on security guarantees. Within the opposition, voices of cautious support emerged, with pledges to back the plan if it ensures the return of hostages and maintains Israel’s security. The plan’s reception in Israeli politics reflects the country’s enduring tension between security prerequisites and the potential for regional normalization.
On the regional front, the plan drew swift reaction from Arab capitals. A joint statement from leaders of eight countries welcomed the US effort and pledged to engage in advancing the plan’s implementation, while stopping short of a formal endorsement of the plan in its entirety. At the same time, the Israeli prime minister’s outreach to partners and his emphasis on security concerns have kept the door open for diplomacy while maintaining the option of a military end if Hamas reneges. The dramatic development also included a moment of
Published on 1 month ago