Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-13 at 19:07

HEADLINES Katz blocks IDF posts chaos ensues US drafts Gaza stabilization resolution at UN West Bank violence escalates near red line The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. Good afternoon. Here is the latest update on the Middle East and related global angles as of this hour. In Israel, defense and security leadership movements are shaping the political- military landscape. Since taking office in November 2024, Israel Katz has used his position to block a number of senior IDF appointments, leaving several key posts vacant or in flux. The effect, according to security analysts, is a period of transition that could influence future decisions on strategy, readiness, and crisis response while central figures are contending with the ongoing staffing questions. Concurrently, the High Court has been involved in a separate dispute over who should oversee investigations into a recent leak case tied to the Sde Teiman facility. The State Attorney and the Justice Ministry are negotiating with the court on oversight arrangements, with the potential involvement of a retired judge to ensure independence from political influence. These developments come as Israel faces mounting security challenges and continued legal and political domestic scrutiny surrounding accountability and governance. Efforts to shape policy beyond Israel’s borders also occupy attention. A European Union discussion over Gaza policy is underway, with a key figure urging reform of proposed sanctions against Israel. MEP Hildegard Bentele is advocating for removing certain sanctions from the EU’s agenda and supporting a path that she believes could advance a peace process, while ensuring that humanitarian and security concerns are addressed in parallel. In parallel, Turkey’s posture toward Israel remains in flux. Ankara’s government has increased its diplomatic engagement in the region, even as observers note continued strategic rivalries and public defensiveness over broader regional issues. The dynamics with Turkey sit within a wider regional frame in which Ankara seeks to balance its own security concerns with relations among Western partners and neighboring states. In the West Bank and beyond, violence and response measures continue to unfold. Israeli forces this week killed two men suspected of planning attacks in the area near Karmei Zur. Palestinian officials allege that settler actors were responsible for arson aimed at a mosque in Deir Istiya, a development that has drawn sharp condemnation from Palestinian authorities and international observers alike. Israeli defense and security leaders have warned against a “red line” in the escalation, underscoring a determination to halt any wave of violence. The broader picture shows ongoing frictions in the West Bank, where reporting indicates a surge in settler activity and Palestinian casualties in the wake of broader conflict dynamics tied to Gaza. On the hostage front, there was a significant procedural development. A murdered hostage’s remains were transferred by the Red Cross to the IDF for forensic examination, with official confirmation of identity to follow once the processing is complete. This is part of a complex, multi-party effort surrounding hostage families and ongoing negotiations, as international actors and regional players watch for signs of progress toward a broader ceasefire and potential exchanges. In Gaza-related diplomacy and security planning, Washington has introduced a draft resolution in the UN Security Council calling for an international stabilization presence in Gaza. The plan envisions an Israeli withdrawal tied to disarmament benchmarks and a credible pathway toward Palestinian statehood. The proposal reflects ongoing US attempts to thread humanitarian needs with strategic objectives, while regional reactions remain highly cautious and variable depending on how the disarmament and security guarantees would be implemented on the ground. Humanitarian and cultural dynamics in Gaza also merit note. A ceasefire framework has allowed Gaza’s heritage and cultural efforts to resume in limited fashion. Restoration work on historic sites, including the Pasha Palace in Gaza City, has begun despite the broader blockade and security restrictions. Local heritage experts say substantial damage has affected hundreds of sites across the territory since the conflict intensified in 2023, with UNESCO acknowledging many sites under review. The restoration work highlights how culture persists even amid conflict, even as material constraints and security considerations complicate access to sites and resources. In regional expansion news, Israel plans significant urban development in the West Bank. A new report from the Applied Research Institute–Jerusalem indicates plans for more than 26,000 new housing units across Yehuda and Samaria, spanning tens of thousands of dunams. Projects are concentrated around areas such as Jerusale