Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-21 at 19:08

HEADLINES Six Hamas operatives killed in Rafah tunnels Israel forms four-person team for ceasefire phase US eyes international force to police truce The time is now 2:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This is the 2:00 PM update on the evolving situation in the Middle East and related global developments. We present a clear, factual briefing designed for international audiences, balancing security concerns, humanitarian needs, and diplomatic dynamics. In the Gaza and West Bank arena, the day’s shootings and detentions underscore a cycle of violence and countermeasures. The Israeli Defense Forces reported that an officer with the Palestinian Authority police who shot and wounded a soldier was killed in the exchange. A second PA police officer surrendered to Israeli forces and was subsequently arrested. The episode highlights ongoing friction between Israeli security operations and Palestinian security structures in areas under Israeli control or influence. Turning to Gaza, the Israeli military said it killed six Hamas operatives who emerged from Rafah tunnels in two separate locations, while five other gunmen were detained after surrendering to Israeli troops. The operation, conducted with air support and ground teams, followed a broader effort to disrupt remaining tunnel networks along the Rafah corridor. The IDF said it would continue scanning the area to locate any additional gunmen who had slipped out of tunnels. Officials described the incident as part of a broader, focused campaign tied to the ceasefire framework that governs the exchange and disarmament process. In related coordination, Israeli forces conducted operations in other parts of Gaza and the broader theater, with authorities reporting no casualties among Israeli forces in these incidents. On the diplomatic and security front, the security cabinet in Israel reportedly agreed to form a four‑person team to oversee the second stage of the ceasefire framework. The team, comprising Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, would be tasked with guiding the next phase of the truce, including disarmament efforts and hostage issues. The two latter ministers, leaders of far‑right parties, reportedly voted against the deal in a prior round, marking the complexity of internal political dynamics as to how the truce proceeds. In parallel, US diplomatic and military planning continued to intersect with the ceasefire and security arrangements. The Trump administration has discussed forming an international security force with troops from Arab and Muslim nations to police the truce in its second stage. That plan also envisions disarming Hamas, though no firm timeline has been set for the next steps. Washington’s approach faces ongoing scrutiny from European allies, humanitarian groups, and regional partners who emphasize the need to protect civilians and maintain stability in Gaza. Humanitarian and humanitarian-access updates remain central to the story line. The United Nations World Food Programme reports that aid deliveries to Gaza have increased since the ceasefire began but are still far short of the needs of hundreds of thousands of residents as winter approaches. MSF, Doctors Without Borders, describes continued treatment of women and children in Gaza for injuries resulting from airstrikes and gunfire, including open fractures and gunshot wounds. UNICEF notes that conflict-related deaths of children remain a grave concern, with dozens of children killed since the ceasefire took effect. In Gaza City and southern areas, aid deliveries have faced weather-related spoilage and logistical challenges as rains begin to complicate distribution, illustrating the fragility of relief operations in a densely populated and heavily affected region. The World Food Programme stresses that while improvements are visible, sustained, large-scale food assistance remains essential to prevent acute hunger. On the ground in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, sporadic clashes and security operations continue to shape daily life. Palestinian health authorities reported fatalities among youths in clashes on the outskirts of Jerusalem, with early accounts indicating two teenage deaths in Kufr Aqab during confrontations with Israeli forces. Israeli forces described the incidents as responses to immediate threats during dispersed clashes, with Red Crescent teams reporting injuries in the same periods. Funeral processions for the deceased drew large crowds, and residents voiced outrage over what they described as excessive force in a volatile urban perimeter where disputes often flare into violence. Regional and international narrative highlights also touch culture, diplomacy, and global governance. In a separate development, Eurovision organizers announced changes to voting rules intended to reduce the potential for state-level i