Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-05 at 14:06

HEADLINES
- Gaza strikes escalate as civilian toll rises
- Hamas releases hostage footage as talks stall
- Measles exposure from NYC Tel Aviv flight

The time is now 10:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Ten o’clock in the morning, and the region remains tense while a fragile balance holds in the wider security picture, with no formal ceasefire or peace accord documented in the materials before us. In the health front, Israeli authorities are monitoring a measles case tied to a passenger who traveled from New York City to Tel Aviv on Arkia flight IZ994. Epidemiological investigations indicate that others who were on the same flight should verify their vaccination status, and the Health Ministry stresses that measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, especially for unvaccinated individuals.

On the ground in the West Bank, an Israeli civilian was moderately wounded after a shuttle carrying about twenty Civil Administration workers was attacked following the demolition of an illegal outpost. The attack followed an operation in the area and underlined the continuing volatility in the region.

In the broader policy discourse, an opinion piece argues that it is time for Israel to formally extend sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, presenting a case for a decisive step in the West Bank. The debate mirrors a wider international conversation about borders, security, and recognition that continues to shape government deliberations and public sentiment.

In Europe, Finland has joined a declaration calling for a two‑state framework as a path to resolving the conflict with the Palestinians, though its government remains divided on recognizing a Palestinian state. The move reflects a growing international backstop to proposals for a negotiated settlement, even as major powers and regional actors weigh how to respond to ongoing violence.

In Gaza, Israeli forces have moved to escalate operations in the densely populated city, with the army announcing strikes on high‑rise buildings identified as Hamas outposts. The military says the targeted towers house infrastructure used to plan and execute attacks and to coordinate with militants in the area. Officials say civilian safety measures were taken ahead of these strikes, and they warn that further high‑rise targets will be pursued as part of the campaign to degrade Hamas’s capabilities. The assault comes as the fighting for Gaza City intensifies and as Israel calls up reservists and reinforces its position to complete what it calls a decisive operation against Hamas. The toll on civilians has grown heavy in Gaza, where health authorities in Hamas‑run territory report substantial casualties amid the urban destruction.

Meanwhile, Hamas released new footage of two Israeli hostages on the 700th day of captivity, including a video featuring Guy Gilboa‑Dalal and Alon Ohel. The release is presented as a life sign, though the families and Israeli officials caution that such material can function as psychological warfare and does not substitute for negotiated releases. The Hostage Families Forum has pressed the government to pursue negotiations for the return of all captives and has expressed concern that the forthcoming Gaza City operation could endanger those still held by Hamas. Israeli officials emphasize that any military move is designed to end the war on Hamas’s terms, including the return of hostages and the disarmament of the group, while portraying the plan as necessary to restore security for Israelis.

Diplomatically, Egypt has sharpened its rhetoric, saying it will not tolerate displacement of Palestinians and labeling the unfolding events as a humanitarian and humanitarian‑crisis scenario. Cairo underscores that displacement equates to a grave violation of rights and a red line that cannot be crossed, even as it...