Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-16 at 01:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-16 at 01:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-16 at 01:08

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 HEADLINESGaza City ground assault intensifies; civilians fleeUS expands drone sales under new rulesDoha emergency summit pressures Israel over GazaThe time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. This is your hourly update. At 9:00 PM, the fighting in Gaza City continues to intensify as the Israeli military presses a ground operation that has begun to tilt toward the heart of the city. Airstrikes and artillery have escalated, with Gazan residents reporting heavy bombardment in multiple neighborhoods. The Israeli Defense Forces say it is guiding civilians to evacuate, but the city remains densely populated and the humanitarian toll is mounting. In the meantime, authorities say hundreds of thousands of people have already left Gaza City in recent weeks, with estimates suggesting as many as around 300,000 displaced in the wider Gaza Strip.Domestically in Israel, the security situation remains the central concern as the government faces relentless pressure to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. In Jerusalem, hostage families gathered near the Prime Minister’s residence to protest what they described as the danger posed to their loved ones as operations advance in Gaza City. Police closed Azza Street, a precaution aimed at preventing protests near the residence. One mother, Anat Angrest, spoke of the fear for her son, while another relative urged the public to join them in demanding a comprehensive effort to bring hostages home. The Israeli government has repeatedly stressed its objective of ending the war with the return of hostages, while acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Hamas’ network and the urban battlefield in Gaza City.On the diplomatic front, the United States has moved to recalibrate its arms export rules, a development that could reshape how allies acquire advanced systems. A reinterpretation of the export control regime now treats certain unmanned systems more like fighter jets for purposes of foreign military sales. The State Department says this will ease the sale of drones, including Reaper-style systems, to US allies and partners, potentially expanding transfers to countries such as the United Arab Emirates and others in Eastern Europe and the Gulf. In practical terms, large drone manufacturers could see a boost in international sales, and Israel, a leading defense producer, faces heightened competition and new dynamics in the regional arms market. The change comes as Washington seeks to balance security assurances with the growing capabilities of regional partners.In a separate but related strand of diplomacy, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the Middle East, including a stop in Jerusalem. He met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials in what aides described as a reaffirmation of Washington’s close alignment with Israel as it pursues a ceasefire and the return of hostages. The visit underscored Washington’s intent to remain engaged in the region, even as questions linger about how to structure a lasting peace that can withstand political headwinds in the Arab world and within domestic audiences back home.That regional diplomacy also played out in Doha, where an emergency summit of Arab and Muslim leaders pressed for action in the wake of an Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar. The session, which included participants from the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, urged member states to reassess ties with Israel and to consider measures up to suspending Israel’s UN membership, while also pressing for a coordinated regional response. Qatar’s leadership sought to balance mediation with pressure on Israel to halt the Gaza fighting and secure the release of captives. US officials indicated Rubio would travel to Qatar to reaffirm Washington’s security commitments to its regional partners during a period of heightened tensions and fragile ceasefire prospects.Within Israel’s public diplomacy sphere, there was notable activity at a historic site in Jerusalem. Secretary of State Rubio visited the City of David archaeological park area near Silwan, stepping onto Pilgrims’ Road as part of a ceremony that his hosts framed as a celebration of shared heritage and partnership. The visit was conducted in a guarded setting, with critics arguing the projects around Silwan push a narrative of Israeli sovereignty in sensitive East Jerusalem. Netanyahu spoke alongside Rubio, declaring Jerusalem “our city” and signaling continued support for efforts deemed essential to Israel’s security and national narrative. The visit also touched on broader questions about how foreign support for Israeli policies in Jerusalem is perceived by Palestinians and by the international community.Meanwhile, the broader international environment is watching closely as other developments unfold. Luxembourg signaled it would recognize a Palestinian state at the United ...
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