HEADLINES Israel US push Gaza ceasefire framework US weighs UNRWA designation amid aid risk Sweida Druze recount Syria abuses by militants The time is now 7:11 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This is the hourly update. At this hour, several developments in the Middle East and in global policy frame how observers view security, diplomacy, and humanitarian needs. In Israel, President Isaac Herzog met in Jerusalem with the United States ambassador to the United Nations to discuss the implementation of a peace framework between Israel and Gaza. The meeting, attended by Israel’s representative at the United Nations, underscored continued coordination between Jerusalem and Washington as both sides seek ways to advance a ceasefire and stability in the region. Officials stressed the importance of security and the practical steps necessary to prevent a relapse into broader fighting, while acknowledging the significant humanitarian and political challenges that accompany any peace process. Inside Israel, the Attorney General issued a position paper on a proposed ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill. The document argues that the bill would fail to address Israel’s manpower needs or lighten the burden on reservists, and would, in practice, hinder the army’s ability to enforce conscription. The opinion drew strong reactions from supporters of the bill who argue it would protect the autonomy of religious study while allowing some path to integration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly framed the proposal as a historic step toward integrating ultra-Orthodox citizens into national service, even as critics warned the law could create long‑term inequality and undermine security requirements. In Syria, testimony from Druze residents of the Sweida province alleging rape, torture, executions, and kidnappings by militant groups described a brutal pattern of violence that international observers say demands scrutiny. The Druze spiritual leadership has appealed to the international community for renewed attention to the risks faced by Druze communities affected by the conflict in neighboring areas. The testimonies add to the broader narrative of civilian suffering in areas affected by multiple armed factions and shifting fronts in the region. In Washington, discussions reportedly continued on the possibility of sanctions against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East. United States officials have weighed options that could include designating the agency as a foreign terrorist organization or targeting specific individuals or operations within the agency. Advocates caution that such steps could destabilize humanitarian assistance to millions of Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, and surrounding countries, while opponents note the agency’s central role in health, education, and social services for refugees. The agency has faced scrutiny over the past year, with debate about its neutrality and its perceived links to militant groups. No final decision has been announced publicly. In the Gaza context, Israel’s security and military realities continue to shape diplomacy and humanitarian concerns. Washington’s engagement with Palestinian leadership in Ramallah has intensified in recent weeks as the United States seeks to align regional actors with broader aims for peace and governance in the postwar period. The United Nations and other partners have stressed the necessity of predictable funding and operational independence for relief and reconstruction efforts, while Israel has emphasized security guarantees and counterterrorism objectives as prerequisites for any durable settlement. Meanwhile, reporting from Israel’s political sphere notes that attention remains on the governance of military service among ultra-Orthodox communities. The debate reflects broader questions about national service, equity, and the capacity of the Israeli Defense Forces to meet current security demands amid ongoing conflict and regional volatility. In Washington, President Donald Trump reignited attention to a plan branded as the Gaza Board of Peace, a panel intended to oversee the administration of Gaza under a broader peace framework. The president described the lineup as a matter of “great importance” and said leaders from major countries had expressed interest in joining. The stance signals a continued effort to pressure multilateral and regional actors to participate in an arrangement intended to stabilize Gaza and reduce the likelihood of renewed conflict, even as domestic political dynamics in the United States continue to influence how foreign policy is prioritized abroad. In the United States, domestic events continued to ripple through foreign policy discourse. A high-profile comment from President Donald Trump about the potential sale of a major television network was reported, highlighting ongoing debates about media ownership, influence, an
