Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-13 at 23:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-13 at 23:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-13 at 23:06

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 HEADLINESBrown University shooter remains at largeGaza food security improves under ceasefireHamas commander killed as hostage talks hingeThe time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Here is the hour’s news with context to help you understand the significance of the events shaping the region and the broader international response.First, breaking in the United States, authorities are responding to an active shooter situation on the Brown University campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Law enforcement is on site and urging people in the area to shelter in place and avoid the vicinity as officers secure the scene. Initial reports indicate multiple people were injured, with officials saying the shooter is still at large. Students and staff have been receiving urgent alerts about the evolving situation as investigators work to determine the sequence of events and identify those involved.Turning to the Middle East, humanitarian officials report that food security in the Gaza Strip has improved since the ceasefire began in the wake of the war that has caused immense suffering there. The deputy director of the United Nations World Food Programme told The Times of Israel that while food security has stabilized and access to meals has increased, other critical sectors remain under pressure. He pointed to ongoing restrictions by the Israeli authorities on dual use items that could be repurposed for military use, which has limited the arrival of shelter materials ahead of the winter season. Aid delivery has in recent weeks averaged around four to six hundred trucks per day, far short of the six hundred per day stipulated in the truce, with roughly half of those trucks carrying humanitarian aid and the other half carrying commercial goods. Distributions have been centralized through a system that requires recipients to register in advance, with hundreds of distribution points, soup kitchens and bakeries feeding tens of thousands daily. The World Food Programme has also adjusted its approach since the ceasefire began, including shifting to support for temporary learning centers for children and broader efforts to stabilize households, but the deputy director emphasized that the overall humanitarian situation remains fragile. He called on Israel to further expand the entry of commercial goods and to widen the use of electronic payment tools to reduce cash handling challenges and support Gaza’s private sector recovery. He noted that while the quantity of aid has risen compared with the pre-ceasefire period, the mix of goods and the speed of delivery continue to affect stability and market conditions inside Gaza.In parallel, Israeli authorities say that the killing of a Hamas commander in Gaza City on Saturday could complicate the effort to recover the remains of an Israeli hostage held by Hamas. Israeli officials described the late commander as a senior figure involved in weapons development and operations planning, and they said the strike was carried out in response to ongoing ceasefire violations by the group. The operation reportedly targeted a vehicle on the Rashid Road and resulted in several fatalities and dozens of injuries. Israeli officials also indicated they had parallels to present negotiations that aim to secure the return of the last hostage whose body remains in Gaza. Mediators have been pressed to secure the return of Ran Gvili before moving on to more complex elements of the ceasefire implementation. The government has stressed that any steps must align with prior commitments and the broader objective of ensuring accountability for the hostages and the wounded.Across Israeli society, public demonstrations have persisted over recent weeks. In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and other cities, protesters have gathered to demand accountability regarding the October seventh Hamas attack and the government’s handling of the war. Some demonstrators have called for the creation of a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October seventh assault, and others have voiced opposition to political moves by the government. The demonstrations have also reflected the deep emotional toll of the conflict, including the pain of families of hostages and the desire for a full accounting and safe return of those held. The protests have underscored the still-tense political climate as Israel continues to navigate domestic debates while pursuing military and diplomatic objectives tied to the war.International security developments continue to unfold as Washington seeks to shape the security framework for Gaza’s future. US officials say they are pressing European partners to contribute troops to a planned Gaza security force intended to stabilize the area as part of a broader international effort. The goal is to recruit around five thousand troops by the force’s planned deployment early next year, with the potential to expand...
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