HEADLINESUS sanctions choke Iran oil networkIran proxies weakened as Hezbollah pressuredGaza hostage crisis shapes ceasefire prospectsThe time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good afternoon. At three o’clock this afternoon, the broader conflict remains unsettled, with a wary tension across the region and a clear pattern of external pressure and internal maneuvering shaping events from Tehran to Gaza and beyond. The United States has moved to choke off funding streams to Iran’s military apparatus and its regional proxies by imposing sanctions on a global financial network tied to Iranian oil sales, targeting entities in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. Washington says the measure aims to hinder Tehran’s ability to sustain its security apparatus and its allied militias, while signaling that it will continued to work with allies who share Israel’s security concerns and insist on accountability for aggression.On the battlefield and in diplomatic corridors, observers report a degraded status for Iran’s proxy networks. In Syria, a reorganized and newly configured political landscape is described as weakening some of Tehran’s leverage, even as Tehran’s influence remains persistent. In Lebanon, pressure grows from Beirut to remove Hezbollah’s foothold, while Israel emphasizes that any threat to its security will be met with severe countermeasures. In parallel, the Gaza theater remains perilous. Hamas’s operational capabilities are described as diminished, even as the organization holds a continuing hostage crisis that complicates any discussion of a durable ceasefire or an end to the violence.Across the region, the military balance continues to tilt in Israel’s favor in some respects, even as risks persist. Israel’s defense forces report continued readiness and insist on acting within international law, stressing measures to minimize civilian harm as they pursue objectives in Gaza. Intelligence and security briefings underscore that any ground operation remains subject to the calculus of civilian safety and international scrutiny, even as commanders say the army prepares for a range of contingencies should hostilities escalate.The Yemen-based Houthis continue their attacks, with missiles and drones tested against Israeli soil, and Israeli forces responding to strikes in places such as the port city of Hodeidah. In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, sirens and alert broadcasts remind residents that the regional security environment remains volatile. There were reports of an intercept of a Houthi-launched projectile, followed by a string of strikes attributed to Houthi forces in areas tied to Iran’s regional network.Internationally, the conflict has drawn attention from several capitals. In Europe, diplomats and ambassadors meet regularly with Israeli leaders to discuss the path to de-escalation, while public demonstrations abroad have pressed for accountability over actions in Gaza. In Greece, activists have urged authorities to investigate Israelis linked to clashes during demonstrations, highlighting the global dimensions of the struggle over legitimacy, human rights, and wartime conduct. Toward the United States, President Donald Trump has underscored a policy of alignment with Israel, framed around security, deterrence, and the notion of peace through strength, including public emphasis on a robust, independent Israeli defense posture and economic resilience. The White House has indicated continued engagement with Israel on strategic issues, including the broader regional challenge posed by Iran and its allies.Domestically in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly affirmed a commitment to self-reliance in defense, including plans to sustain and grow an indigenous arms industry capable of withstanding external pressure and sanctions. He has also signaled that Israel will pursue security objectives with partners who share its aims, and he has warned that any detour toward negotiation that undervalues security guarantees would be unacceptable. In parallel, the government is navigating a challenging economic and political landscape, with commentators and opposition figures debating how to balance security imperatives with the pressures of everyday life at home.In Gaza, hospital facilities have come under fire or near-miss scrutiny, with reports that some facilities have been damaged by shelling and air operations. Observers caution that urban warfare in densely populated areas complicates humanitarian relief and demands careful protection of civilians. The hostage crisis continues to weigh heavily on the human calculus of any possible engagement, with families and international organizations pressing for a path to release captives in a manner that minimizes further harm.A note on messaging and signal: Israel’s security messaging has included outreach to allied capitals to reinforce the imperative of defense ...
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