Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-23 at 02:10
HEADLINES
Rubio warns West Bank sovereignty risks Gaza
US slams ICJ advisory on UNRWA
Saudi denounces West Bank annexation backs peace
The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good evening. Here is the latest update on the Middle East and relevant international developments.
The central story concerns the unfolding debate over Israel’s plans to advance sovereignty in parts of the West Bank and how that intersects with efforts to secure a durable ceasefire and political settlement in Gaza. In Washington, Senator Marco Rubio said the move to apply sovereignty would complicate President Trump’s framework for ending the Israel‑Hamas war and could threaten the Gaza ceasefire. Rubio emphasized that the United States views the current moment as one in which progress toward durable peace requires careful coordination and restraint, and his comments came as he prepared a multiday trip to Israel to discuss the implementation of the broader plan. The State Department said Rubio’s visit aims to support the successful execution of President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza, underscoring Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security while encouraging stability in the region.
In Israel, the political and security calculus remains tightly focused on Gaza. Israeli officials have signaled that any steps toward a broader West Bank sovereignty framework will be weighed against the risk of destabilizing the ceasefire and hostage‑timeframe arrangements in Gaza. The US administration has been working to keep both sides aligned with the path outlined in the plan to end the conflict, a goal that has drawn careful scrutiny from regional partners and international observers. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his posture on Gaza, including positions on who should be involved in governing there after a potential disengagement and disarmament process. Israeli officials have stressed the need for security assurances and a credible mechanism to prevent a postwar vacuum that could embolden Hamas or other militant groups.
On the diplomatic track, US officials other than Rubio are keeping a close watch on developments. Vice President-elect or Vice President Joseph R. Biden administration trajectories have included travel by senior US envoys to the region to assess the status of the ceasefire and hostage negotiations. In parallel, Washington has been coordinating with Arab partners to secure international backing for the ceasefire framework and the path to stabilization in Gaza, seeking to enlist regional support for the postwar security arrangement while avoiding actions that could undermine trust between Israelis and Palestinians.
A notable point of tension involves the International Court of Justice advisory opinion that called on Israel to facilitate UNRWA’s operations in Gaza. The United States condemned the advisory as politicized and nonbinding, arguing it does not help advance practical steps toward peace and security. Washington’s reaction underscored the broader friction between international judicial bodies and Washington’s assessment of how best to support a sustainable resolution to the conflict, while continuing to emphasize Israel’s security needs and the system of military and diplomatic measures that have underpinned US policy for years.
Saudi Arabia issued a strong statement denouncing the initial votes in favor of West Bank annexation steps, saying they amount to legitimizing Israeli sovereignty over settlements it views as illegal. Riyadh reiterated support for a two‑state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinians and called for an end to attacks in Palestinian territories, urging a return to the peace process as the basis for regional stability. The Saudi position reflects broader Arab concerns about unilateral
Published on 1 week, 6 days ago