HEADLINES Gaza Stabilization Force Faces Global Scrutiny Israel Rebuilds Latin America Ties by 2026 Antisemitic Letter Targets Austrian Doctor The 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 the hourly update on the Middle East and related diplomacy as the region faces shifts in security and regional relationships that have implications for international stability and for Israel’s security environment. First, word from Washington on the plan to deploy an International Stabilization Force in Gaza. United States officials say the force is to begin its deployment at the start of 2026, initially drawing personnel from only one or two countries. The purpose is to gradually replace Israeli forces in the enclave in a way that supports Hamas disarmament and a path to a future Palestinian state, though many nations are cautious about the implications. Indonesia has publicly signaled readiness to participate and has suggested it could contribute as many as twenty thousand troops, making it the most explicit and sizable commitment to date. Azerbaijan, while acknowledging discussions, has said that it has not yet decided and has raised questions about the mission’s scope, role, and the conditions attached to participation. Officials in Baku are seeking assurances that any deployment would be compatible with a broader two‑state framework and would not be seen as enforcing a particular political outcome. Across capitals, many Arab and Muslim states have expressed concern that joining the force could be seen as taking sides in a deeply divisive conflict or as a step that short-circuits Palestinian statehood objectives. The United States maintains the mission is designed to stabilize Gaza rather than to dictate a political settlement, but the roadmap remains contentious and will depend on negotiations with potential partners about the force’s mandate and risk. Turning to diplomacy in the Western Hemisphere, there is fresh momentum in Israel’s effort to rebuild ties with Latin America in the coming year. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has outlined 2026 as a pivotal year for Latin America, signaling a push to restore and deepen relationships with countries across the region. Bolivia is expected to restore relations after sixteen years of severed ties, and observers note that elections in Chile, Brazil, and Colombia could produce leadership more receptive to closer engagement with Israel. Officials say the aim is to diversify Israel’s regional ties and to cultivate reliable partners whose positions help advance regional and global security interests as well as humanitarian and economic cooperation. The broader context is a shift in Israel’s diplomacy as it seeks to balance security imperatives with broader regional engagement in a changing geopolitical landscape. In Europe, a troubling incident underscores continuing antisemitism within parts of society. An Austrian physician was dismissed after an anonymous letter described antisemitic views in connection with weight loss, referring to Auschwitz in a manner that officials condemned as unacceptable. The incident at Landesklinikum Horn has focused attention on how antisemitic rhetoric can surface in professional settings and public discourse, underscoring the ongoing duty of institutions and communities to counter hate with clear standards and swift action. This episode comes amid a broader international conversation about how to safeguard Jewish communities while pursuing social and public health objectives. There is also ongoing public debate about how media and political discourse shape perceptions of antisemitism and extremism. In high-profile examples from international media, commentators and interviewers have engaged with figures associated with extremist views, triggering conversations about accountability, editorial responsibility, and the limits of free expression in public forums. These conversations occur alongside broader coverage of security and diplomatic issues in the region and in relation to the United States’ foreign policy posture. As the evening continues, listeners are reminded that Israel’s security concerns remain central to any discussion of Gaza and regional stability. The plan for an International Stabilization Force is framed as a mechanism to reduce the risk of renewed fighting and to enable a path toward Palestinian statehood within a broader political process. At the same time, regional partners and international allies ask hard questions about mission scope, enforcement versus peacekeeping duties, and the timeline for achieving durable political outcomes. In Latin America, Israel’s engagement reflects a strategic effort to broaden partnerships that could support regional stability and economic cooperation, even as new leadership in the region could reshape those ties in coming years. This is the hour’s update. We will continue to monitor developments as governments an
