HEADLINES
Israel offers conditional surrender from Rafah tunnels
Hezbollah commander killed strains cross border ceasefire
Australia designates Iran IRGC as terror sponsor

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is your hourly update on the Middle East, with context for international audiences and the latest developments shaping security, diplomacy, and humanitarian concerns.

In Gaza, reporting indicates Israel has put forward a conditional offer to Hamas fighters believed to be trapped in tunnels near Rafah. The proposal would allow a number of operatives to emerge if they surrender, relinquish their weapons, and accept relocation to Israeli prisons. Those who meet the conditions would eventually be eligible for release and a return to the Hamas-controlled area of the Gaza Strip, on the understanding they disarm and pledge not to return to violence. Hamas has not publicly accepted the terms and has, in recent days, pressed for international pressure on Israel to permit safe passage for its fighters. Israeli officials involved in the talks have framed the offer as a potential path to separating combatants from ongoing hostilities, but the fighters have not taken up the option to surrender. The broader ceasefire framework remains fragile, and the situation inside and around Rafah continues to be fluid, with Israeli forces reporting ongoing operations against militants while continuing to monitor for threats to civilians and to the ceasefire arrangements that underpin the current pause in open hostilities.

Across the border in Lebanon, the security situation remains tense as the conflict in Gaza interacts with regional dynamics. Israel’s yearlong ceasefire channels with Hezbollah have shown signs of strain in the wake of a recent military action that killed Hezbollah’s armed wing commander. Critics in the region warn that the loss of a senior commander could complicate efforts to restrain escalation, even as mediators seek to sustain dialogue aimed at preventing a broader confrontation. In the background, a broader pattern of cross-border activity persists, including disputed air and ground operations and defensive measures by Israeli forces intended to deter incursions while avoiding unnecessary escalation. The Lebanese arena, already fragile due to economic and political strains, remains a critical test case for the effectiveness of international mediation efforts and the capacity of regional actors to manage a volatile balance between deterrence and negotiation.

Syria and the wider border region are also tied to shifting regional alignments. Reports indicate that Hamas is attempting to establish a more pronounced armed footprint in Syria, assistance flowing to allied groups, and coordinated efforts with Hezbollah to rebuild rocket supplies in southern Lebanon. This development, if sustained, could contribute to the longer arc of regional deterrence dynamics, complicating any calculated steps toward de-escalation and complicating humanitarian access and civilian protection across border zones. The cross-border entanglements underscore the continuing importance of credible diplomacy, verification mechanisms, and international pressure to prevent a wider conflagration.

On the international stage, Australia has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism, marking a significant escalation in the public tally of state-backed threats attributed to Tehran. The designation follows intelligence assessments linking Iran to attacks against Jewish communities in Australia earlier this year and is part of a broader pattern of Western governments intensifying scrutiny of Iran’s external networks. The move adds to a chorus of international concern about Iran’s regional influence and the reach of its security services, while observers note that Tehran continues to deny such accusations and to emphasize its own strategic priorities amid negotiations over its nuclear program and regional activities.

In the Vatican’s orbit, Pope Leo’s upcoming trip to Turkey and Lebanon is being watched for what it may reveal about interfaith diplomacy and regional stability. The itinerary signals a focus on peace, dialogue among Christian communities, and the humanitarian dimensions of the Middle East's crises. The Holy See has stressed the importance of security planning and the responsibilities of neighboring states to safeguard visitors, while also highlighting the role religious leaders can play in sustaining channels for negotiation and reconciliation. The visit also underscores Turkey’s role as a key regional actor, even as its own domestic and foreign policy posture continues to evolve in a region shaped by longstanding conflicts and shifting alliances. Lebanon, with its strong Christian communities and fragile economy, is expected to feature in the pope’s emphasis on humanitarian relief and dialogue.

In a broader policy frame, regional normalization debates continue to echo in international discourse. Editorial voices within middle-ground and reform-oriented circles argue that closer ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states could contribute to stability, but they stress that such normalization must be balanced with security guarantees and meaningful progress toward Palestinian rights and humanitarian relief. The export of security guarantees and economic cooperation is seen as possible leverage for advancing a durable peace framework, yet observers caution that any approach must preserve credible deterrence, protect civilian populations, and avoid rewarding inaction on core humanitarian and political questions.

On the ground in the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted a large counterterror operation that authorities described as targeting infrastructure used by militants. An attacker who threw an explosive device at troops was killed in the operation, and dozens of people—some minors among them—were detained in the course of arrests and field interrogations. The operation touched multiple towns, with security forces describing a concerted effort to isolate areas and disrupt networks that could support attacks. The day’s events followed a broader pattern of violence and counterterror measures in the West Bank, where Israeli forces and Palestinian militants have clashed repeatedly as peacemaking prospects remain uncertain. Humanitarian and civil society organizations have documented civilian hardship in these areas, emphasizing the need for safe access, protections for noncombatants, and a path back to stable governance.

In Gaza’s classrooms, the education landscape remains deeply disrupted, even as some students return to makeshift spaces after more than two years of war. Schools that reopened are operating with limited resources: no books, no backpacks, and no conventional classrooms in many cases. Students are attending in tents and repurposed buildings, with learning adapted to the constraints of scarce supplies and infrastructure damage. The United Nations and Gaza’s education ministry acknowledge that recovery will take time, given the scale of destruction to school facilities, but they say that temporary learning spaces have begun to accommodate hundreds of thousands of students, while broader reconstruction and provision of supplies continue to face funding and logistical challenges. The mental health of students is receiving attention, with educators employing activities designed to ease trauma and rebuild a sense of routine in a disrupted environment. In the longer term, international programs seek to supply desks, books, and digital resources to widen access to education for Gaza’s youth, even as humanitarian priorities remain high on the aid agenda.

In the United States, there is continued attention to security and immigration policy that intersects with Middle East dynamics in nuanced ways. Former national leaders have urged revisiting policies around individuals connected to past conflicts, highlighting the ongoing political debates that influence foreign policy flexibility and humanitarian decision-making. While the primary focus in the region remains immediate security concerns, Western governments are weighing how domestic political currents may shape the tempo and terms of international diplomacy, aid, and arms control discussions.

Looking ahead, the central questions remain: can a credible path to disarmament and safe passage for captured fighters be reconciled with hard-won ceasefire arrangements, and can humanitarian relief and education campaigns be scaled to meet the needs of Gaza’s children and families? Will cross-border diplomacy succeed in limiting escalation in Lebanon and Syria while preserving space for negotiation? And how will international actors balance security, humanitarian obligations, and regional diplomatic efforts in a landscape where military actions, political symbolism, and humanitarian appeals are all tightly interwoven?

That is the situation as it stands tonight: a mix of tactical moves, diplomacy, and humanitarian responses that will continue to unfold as negotiators and commanders alike seek stability in a region accustomed to volatility. We will stay with these developments and provide updates as new information becomes available.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-876356
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-876355
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-876357
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-876334
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-876353
https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-leo-heading-to-turkey-lebanon-for-closely-watched-first