HEADLINES - Ran Gvili hostage saga drives ceasefire pace - Gaza governance under US-led Board of Peace - Syrian sanctions debate reshapes UNRWA policy The time is now 9:09 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This is the hour’s update on developments shaping the Middle East and relevant global angles, with an emphasis on security concerns and policy directions affecting Israel and its allies, as well as the wider Jewish community worldwide. Officials in Jerusalem report ongoing attention to the hostage situation and the political framework attached to the ceasefire plan being pursued with international partners. The latest wave of public messaging centers on the fate of Ran Gvili, the 24-year-old police officer killed defending Kibbutz Alumim during the October 7, 2023 attack, whose remains remain a focal point of negotiations and public pressure. In New York, digital billboards and coordinated campaigns call for the immediate return of Ran Gvili, reflecting a broader effort by Israel’s government and allied groups to keep attention on the hostage issue as discussions move into the second phase of a broader plan announced by US and Israeli officials. The clock on these talks, and the settlement of Phase A before Phase B, continues to shape how far ceasefire arrangements can progress and how the parties align on the future governance of Gaza. On the security front, questions persist about who will hold influence in Gaza as any phase two framework unfolds. Reports indicate that a so‑called Board of Peace, headed by the United States, would oversee Gaza’s postwar management, with the Palestinian Authority playing a role that Israeli officials have questioned. The practical consequence is that changes to governance in Gaza could depend on whether Hamas agrees to disarm, a point repeatedly raised by Israeli officials and US diplomats alike. Hamas leadership, notably Khaled Mashaal in recent remarks, has signaled resistance to full disarmament, arguing that weapon storage or freezing is necessary to prevent escalation, a stance that complicates prospects for rapid progress on disarmament and reconstruction. Observers note that some partners in the international community are wary of any arrangement that would blur lines between military control and civilian governance, while Israel emphasizes that security assurances and disarmament are prerequisites for broader aid and reconstruction. In parallel, the diplomatic channel between Israel and regional partners remains active. Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke by phone with the Bolivian president as diplomatic ties resume, underscoring security cooperation and the potential for expanded tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Within the United States, lawmakers have moved to recalibrate policy toward Syria and the broader region. The House has voted to repeal or roll back certain sanctions on Syria, contingent on progress in security and the treatment of minorities, signaling a link between regional stability and sanctions policy. At the same time, Washington continues to weigh sanctions-related steps regarding UNRWA, the United Nations agency serving Palestinian refugees and their descendants, amid discussions about potential designations or targeted action that could affect humanitarian operations across Gaza and the West Bank. Officials stress that any such moves would aim to preserve essential aid flows while pressing for reforms within the agency’s ranks and programs. In Washington’s conversations with allies, US officials have reiterated a commitment to the return of all captives. Ambassadorial voices have stressed that the US will work to secure the release and safe return of hostages as part of the broader peace framework, even as public messaging emphasizes that disarmament and stabilization of Gaza remain essential elements of any credible plan. The stance reflects a continuity of American policy across recent administrations: support for Israel’s security needs, a push for disarmament of militant groups, and a desire for a governance mechanism that can stabilize Gaza after conflict, while maintaining humanitarian channels for civilians who are bearing the brunt of the fighting. In the humanitarian sphere, rights groups have weighed in on the conflict’s toll. Amnesty International has released a report accusing Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of violations of international humanitarian law, including actions around hostages and civilians in southern Israel during the October 7 attacks and the ensuing war. The document highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of hostages and the protection of civilians, underscoring how humanitarian considerations intersect with security dynamics and political calculations in every effort to shape a ceasefire and postwar reconstruction. From a domestic political angle within Israel, the press continues to track leadership and public opinion around Israel’s approac
