Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-13 at 18:07

HEADLINES Netanyahu seeks security autonomy from US aid West Bank plans 26,000 homes unveiled EU splits over Gaza sanctions against Israel The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. At 1:00 PM, this is a concise update on developments across the Middle East and related international news, with attention to security concerns, diplomacy, and the broader regional impact. European Union policymakers are weighing the Gaza peace framework as MEP Hildegard Bentele urged the European Commission to remove proposed sanctions against Israel from the agenda. The call underscores a debate inside Brussels over whether pressure should accompany or accompany a plan for Gaza, and how sanctions might influence any stepping stones toward diplomacy. In Jerusalem, a public dispute over media policy intensified after a commentary from a political ally commenting on the idea of establishing an Army Radio station at the President’s Residence. The remark reflects ongoing tensions about how a presidency engages with communications and the broader political landscape surrounding the Israeli leadership. In the West Bank, a period of heightened violence continues to provoke concern. A governing figure spoke about a shift in policing policies toward settlers, with commentary indicating that investigations into settler violence have declined even as attacks on Palestinian communities persist. The situation remains volatile, with officials stressing the need for accountability and a measured security response. In London, a British commentator who has been active in Gaza discourse was detained in the United States on immigration grounds and later released and returned to Britain. The episode has renewed discussion about free speech, political advocacy, and how extradition and visa decisions intersect with policy debates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a broader strategic discussion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel intends to reduce its reliance on United States security assistance, signaling plans he said would be elaborated in coming days. He emphasized that Israel would preserve its alliance with the United States while pursuing greater autonomy in defense capabilities, including a strengthened Israeli weapons sector. He suggested that the government would address questions about a long-term security framework with Washington, while noting that his administration will determine the path forward. On the ground, Israeli planning authorities disclosed that more than twenty six thousand housing units are planned across Judea and Samaria, including around Jerusalem, Ma’ale Adumim, and Givat Ze’ev. The projects extend over tens of thousands of dunams and are among the largest expansion initiatives in years, reflecting continuing demographic and strategic considerations shaping the pace and geography of settlement activity. In other developments, the Epstein case continues to attract renewed public attention as congressional actors consider releasing additional email correspondence and case files. The unfolding disclosures are prompting discussion about transparency and the intersections of politics and accountability. A joint statement from the Israeli Defense Forces and the Shin Bet underscored operational considerations around the handling of a recently identified event related to a prisoner exchange arrangement. The statement stressed the importance of care and official procedures in coordinating with the International Committee of the Red Cross and ensuring that families receive official confirmation and identification before any transfers or public announcements. Historic cultural heritage in Gaza has continued to endure the consequences of ongoing violence. A restoration effort at the Pasha Palace Museum in Gaza City proceeded with workers meticulously clearing debris as UNESCO’s records note damage at more than one hundred sites since October of two thousand and twenty-three. The restored excavations aim to salvage artifacts and stones for future conservation, even as access to materials remains constrained by security conditions and governance on the ground. In the realm of international diplomacy and culture, a prominent entertainment figure opened a temporary park in Riyadh as part of a broader push to diversify the Saudi economy and broaden cultural and tourism ties. The park draws attention to a region undergoing rapid social and economic change, while human rights groups continue to scrutinize the broader implications of such initiatives. In the West Bank, Israeli troops killed two suspected militants in a town near a settlement area, while Palestinian authorities reported that settlers targeted a mosque with arson and vandalism. The violence follows a wave of attacks in the territory, with the Israeli military noting the need for a focused response to security threats and maintaining that acts that violate sanctity of worship are unac