Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-05 at 07:06

HEADLINES Mamdani Wins NYC Mayor vows fight antisemitism IAEA says Iran must cooperate with inspections Saudi asks US for 48 F-35 jets The time is now 2:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. A new cycle of developments in the Middle East and in global politics is shaping the news agenda tonight. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and a Muslim candidate, won the mayoral race after a hard‑fought campaign that drew sharp attention to Israel and antisemitism in a city home to the world’s largest Jewish community. With about 90 percent of precincts reporting, Mamdani held an approximate nine‑point lead over his nearest competitor. In his victory speech, he pledged to fight antisemitism without wavering, and to build a city that supports Jewish residents while pursuing broader reforms. The outcome has prompted cautious reaction from major Jewish organizations; the UJA-Federation said it would hold the new administration accountable to ensure Jewish life and Israel’s security are protected, while the ADL signaled it would monitor the administration closely. Some national Jewish voices warned that the defeat of a long‑standing political figure could recalibrate the political terrain around Israel in America’s biggest Jewish community. Meanwhile, in the United States, a ballot measure in Somerville, Massachusetts, to divest from Israel passed, marking the first such vote at the local level in the country. The result illustrated a turning point in a nationwide debate over Israel policy, even as local Jewish groups opposed the measure. The outcome underscored the ongoing tensions within American political life over how best to engage with Israel and how to address related issues within diverse communities. On the international front, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran must significantly improve its cooperation with UN inspectors to avoid heightening tensions with the West. IAEA head Rafael Grossi said inspectors have conducted about a dozen visits since June, but Iran has not granted access to key facilities such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, sites that have drawn scrutiny from Washington and its allies. The development comes amid broader concerns about Tehran’s nuclear program and its implications for regional security. In Riyadh, a potential shift in the regional balance is underway as reports indicate Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to consider selling up to 48 F‑35 fighter jets. The request, still under review, would represent a major policy adjustment and could test Washington’s approach to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge. Analysts say the move would complicate calculations in the region, where Israel has relied on its air superiority and strategic partnerships with the United States. The discussions reportedly form part of a broader set of negotiations that could include security assurances and potential technology cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States. In Israel, a notable development in the ongoing war and its aftermath concerns the identification of the remains of a Fallen soldier. The Defense Ministry confirmed that the body of Sergeant Itay Chen, who was killed in October while defending Kibbutz Nir Oz and was later identified through the national forensic process, has been returned to Israel for burial. Chen’s family and the nation’s defenders have described the moment as a difficult but necessary step in bringing closure after a harrowing period that also left seven hostages in Gaza, five of whom are Israeli. The update comes as the country continues to grapple with the humanitarian and security challenges posed by the Gaza situation, including the fate of those held. In a separate Israeli legal development, the outgoing Military Advocate General, Yael (Yifat) Tomer‑Yerushalmi, requested to skip a court hearing on the extension of her detention, citing her health. She asked to participate remotely by Zoom, a request that the court faces as it weighs the next steps in the case. The matter underscores the sensitivity and high profile of military legal proceedings connected to the security establishment. Foreign reporting also touched on the broader international discourse around Israel. A World Israel News report noted a UN envoy’s post featuring antisemitic imagery in connection with a report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, prompting renewed discussions about anti‑Israel sentiment and accountability in international forums. Separately, the Financial Times, cited by Reuters, quoted IAEA chief Grossi urging Iran to cooperate more fully with inspections to prevent a further escalation of tensions with the West. Within the regional security conversation, headlines highlighted ongoing debates about defense and deterrence in a volatile environment. A Reuters report about the Saudi F‑35 request signals how shifting American policy could influence military dynamics in the Middle Ea