Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-16 at 18:06

HEADLINES Gaza postwar plan disarm Hamas Arab oversight Israel expands Gaza push degrades Hamas tunnels Abraham Accords expansion eyed in Saudi talks The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This is the midday update. At the top, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a conversation described as good and friendly by the Prime Minister’s Office, with both leaders focusing on regional and global issues. The two leaders discussed security and diplomatic concerns in a time of heightened tension across the Middle East, reinforcing channels of coordination between Israel and a major European partner. In ongoing military developments, Israel’s Defense Forces say it remains focused on operations along the Yellow Line to clear areas beyond the existing perimeter in Gaza, aiming at degrading terrorist infrastructure about which commanders say the threat persists even as lines of control shift. High-level briefing from General Zamir indicated progress in the campaign against Hamas’s tunnel network and other militant assets, with authorities reiterating the need to neutralize threats before any broader stabilization phase begins. Diplomatic efforts tied to Gaza’s future are shaping international discussions. A draft United Nations Security Council resolution, framed in Washington’s framework for Gaza’s postwar governance, outlines a plan for disarmament of Hamas and a broader stabilization strategy. The language envisions coordination among Israel, Egypt, and a multinational security presence to support a transitional administration in Gaza—one run by a technocratic Palestinian committee under Arab League oversight, and backed by international funding for reconstruction. Key provisions would address the destruction of military and terrorist infrastructure, prevent the reconstitution of armed groups, and establish a security environment that could enable civilian governance to function. Notably, the draft specifies that UN agencies should participate in rebuilding Gaza while excluding some institutions deemed to have cooperation with terrorism. The details have been debated among major powers, with Russia and China signaling cautious positions in recent weeks. On the ground in the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted operations in a populated area, resulting in the death of a Palestinian attacker and injuries to others, according to Palestinian Authority sources. Israeli officials have emphasized ongoing counterterrorism objectives and the importance of maintaining security for civilians living in the area. In other political developments, the Palestinian Authority has alleged that Israeli actions amount to human trafficking after a group of Gazans arrived in South Africa. South Africa initially refused entry because the travelers could not indicate how long they would stay or where they would stay, raising questions about the humanitarian and legal arrangements surrounding such transfers. The incident underscores continuing sensitivities around displacement and international movement amid the broader regional crisis. Iran remains in focus for international observers. The US Central Command described the hijacking of a Singapore-bound oil tanker in the Indian Ocean as a blatant violation of international law, noting the vessel was carrying high-sulfur gasoil when it was intercepted off the coast near the United Arab Emirates. The incident adds to concerns about regional security and the protection of shipping lanes in the Gulf and adjacent waters. In Washington, attention remains on how the United States and allied partners approach normalization in the region. The White House is preparing for a high-profile visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with discussions expected to cover the potential expansion of the Abraham Accords and security guarantees for Saudi Arabia, including potential discussions over advanced defense sales. Analysts caution that while there is talk of shifting regional alignments, any path toward formal normalization will require a credible Palestinian state framework accepted by major parties and assurances that Israel’s security concerns remain paramount. Back in the diaspora, major Jewish organizations are turning their attention to postwar rebuilding. The Jewish Federations of North America will hold its General Assembly in Washington, focusing on Israel’s postwar rebuilding needs, broader security concerns, and efforts to combat antisemitism at home and abroad. After a record fundraising year, leaders are positioning the gathering to translate generosity into concrete programs that rebuild communities and institutions across Israel, while addressing the challenges faced by Jewish communities in the United States as political and social currents shift. In cultural and historical matters, survivors of the Holocaust and organizations that represent them are calling on a G