HEADLINES
Israel offers Rafah surrender deal for fighters
Hamas expands Syria role, aids Hezbollah rockets
Australia labels IRGC state sponsor of terrorism

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 1:00 AM update on developments in the Middle East and related global issues. Israel is reported to have conveyed a proposal to Hamas through mediators offering a pathway for dozens of fighters believed trapped in Rafah tunnels to surrender, leave the tunnels, and be transferred to Israeli facilities for imprisonment. The plan would allow those who disarm and pledge not to return to terrorism to be considered for release and potential relocation to the Hamas‑controlled Gaza Strip in a later phase. Hamas leaders have not publicly responded, and Israeli officials stressed that any broader arrangement would hinge on disarmament and surrender by the fighters in question. Israeli authorities have noted ongoing operations against militants in the Rafah area, including killings and captures of operatives who emerged from tunnels.

Separately, Hamas is reported to be building an increasingly armed presence in Syria and is aiding Hezbollah in efforts to rebuild rocket supplies in southern Lebanon, according to KAN News. The developments highlight a widening of external dimensions to the Gaza conflict, with regional actors potentially expanding capabilities that could affect future ceasefire dynamics and security calculations for Israel.

On a regional diplomacy track, observers note that Israeli normalization with Saudi Arabia remains a desirable objective but not at any cost. The broader prospect of Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords did not materialize during Mohammed bin Salman’s recent visit to Washington, leaving the diplomatic door open but not yet closed. Analysts caution that any normalization would carry strategic and economic implications for Israel, the Palestinians, and the broader regional balance.

In Washington, security developments drew attention as two members of the United States National Guard were reported to have been shot near the White House, with authorities describing their condition as serious. Security procedures were heightened in the capital, including a pause on outbound flights from Reagan National Airport for security reasons. While political responses framed the incident within US domestic security concerns, the event underscored the heightened awareness around the intersection of domestic and international security issues in a period of regional volatility.

Australia has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism, a move that comes months after Canberra accused Iran of directing antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. The designation aligns Australia with other Western governments that have sought to signal intensified scrutiny of Iran’s regional activities in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict and related security concerns.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV is preparing for his first overseas trip as pope, a visit to Turkey and Lebanon that will also include a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and public addresses delivered in English. The Vatican says security arrangements for the Lebanon leg are being organized, reflecting the pope’s intent to emphasize peace and dialogue with Islam at a moment of regional tension. Turkey’s role as a regional broker in Gaza ceasefire efforts remains a focal point for observers who will be watching how the pope’s messages may influence broader questions of interfaith engagement and regional stability.

As these threads unfold, officials in Jerusalem, Washington, and other capitals continue to weigh the balance between security concerns, humanitarian considerations, and the pursuit of a sustainable path toward reducing violence in a region that remains volatile and deeply interconnected with global political and strategic interests. We will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as new information emerges.

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://t.me/Newss0nline/57255
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-876353
https://t.me/newssil/181662
https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-leo-heading-to-turkey-lebanon-for-closely-watched-first-overseas-trip/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-876352
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sybj1uswzg
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-reportedly-offers-trapped-hamas-fighters-in-rafah-chance-to-surrender-relocate/