Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-05 at 01:06

HEADLINES
Gaza City Siege Israel Controls Forty Percent
Hostage Ceasefire Talks Intensify Under US Pressure
Israel Races to Build Shelters Amid Rockets

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Nine o’clock update. The war in Gaza remains the dominant story as Israeli forces press toward the north and the big urban center of Gaza City. The Israeli military says it has gained control of roughly forty percent of Gaza City ahead of what officials describe as a major offensive to confront Hamas in the city’s heart. The advance comes as casualties mount and the humanitarian situation grows more dire.

In Gaza, the health ministry run by Hamas says more than sixty-four thousand people have been killed or are presumed dead in the fighting so far. Israel provides a different tally, saying it has killed more than twenty-two thousand combatants in Gaza and claims about sixteen hundred militants have been killed inside Israel since the October seventh attacks. Across Gaza, hospitals and clinics report overwhelmed facilities and surging needs as aid deliveries remain constrained and essential services deteriorate.

International observers warn of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. The United Nations has warned that essential services are collapsing in Gaza City and surrounding areas, a claim backed by UNICEF officials who describe a growing risk of child malnutrition and other acute needs. European Union officials have faced sharp opposition from Israel after some critics labeled the actions in Gaza as genocide, a term Israel rejects as inaccurate and dangerous rhetoric that it says undermines legitimate self-defense and humanitarian considerations. The international community continues to press for greater humanitarian access and a pause to allow aid to reach civilians.

On the diplomatic front, a Palestinian-American mediator says a final ceasefire proposal under discussion would require the release of all hostages and an end to the war. The source says talks in Washington lasted several hours and reflects a push from elements within the United States to secure a comprehensive deal. Washington’s approach is reportedly aligned with pressure from the Trump administration to bring about an end to the hostilities, with private messages indicating strong insistence that any settlement must address the hostage issue as a central element.

Meanwhile, Washington has moved to sanction Palestinian groups that asked the International Criminal Court to open a case against Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes in Gaza. In parallel, the Trump administration has announced plans to rename the Department of Defense the “Department of War,” arguing the shift reflects a broader posture of offensive strength rather than defensive posture. The plan would require congressional action and signals a possible rebranding effort as part of a broader set of policy changes favored by President Donald Trump and his team in coordination with allies.

In other developments tied to the conflict’s wider ripple effects, the United Airlines system will resume flights to Tel Aviv from Chicago and Washington, the airline announced. The routes will begin in early November, marking the first time United has operated those connections since 2023, a signal of returning air links and commercial normalization in the region amid ongoing security concerns.

Domestically in Israel, life on the home front continues under the shadow of war. Rockets from Yemen have kept the southern and central parts of the country on alert, with reports from several communities noting a growing strain on civil defense infrastructure. Many kindergartens have limited access to bomb shelters, and parents describe a troubling routine of children crouching under tables during sirens as authorities work to expand protective options. The...