Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-05 at 16:07

HEADLINES
JCPOA Snapback Looms; UN Sanctions Near
Gaza City Under Israeli Control; Hamas Targets
Smotrich's Sovereignty Push Sparks West Bank Debate

The time is now 12:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

The hour is 12:00 PM. A fragile, uneasy ceasefire between Israel and Iran remains the backdrop to a broader confrontation in which security calculations, political pressure, and international diplomacy are straining to keep pace with on‑the‑ground violence and hostage dynamics. Washington, signaling close cooperation with Israel, is weighing measures that would constrain Iranian diplomacy and movement at the United Nations, including travel restrictions on Iran’s delegation to the General Assembly. The discussions also touch on broader sanctions leverage tied to the JCPOA framework, with Europe and others watching closely as a 30‑day clock could shift UN sanctions if diplomacy stalls. In Vienna, IAEA officials continue to monitor Iran’s compliance, even as European powers move to trigger the snapback mechanism if Tehran fails to meet obligations. In parallel, Tehran has publicly signaled it remains committed to its regional posture, while US officials pursue a policy they frame as peace through strength, aiming to deter aggression while seeking to deter a broader regional escalation.

On the ground in Gaza, Israeli forces are expanding their operations as part of the campaign to dismantle Hamas infrastructure inside the city. The IDF says it now controls roughly 40 percent of Gaza City and intends to push deeper, warning that Hamas has embedded command centers, sniper positions, and tunnels within civilian housing. In Gaza City, a high‑rise building described by the army as Hamas infrastructure was struck after a clear evacuation warning, with residents reporting rapid evacuations and officials insisting civilian harm is minimized by warnings and precision strikes. The military says it continues to target Hamas assets across the Strip, including underground facilities and operational hubs, while maintaining that civilian safety remains a priority despite Hamas’ use of civilian areas for military purposes.

The hostage crisis remains central to the war’s political gravity. Families of hostages have urged urgency and unity in pursuing a comprehensive exchange, insisting that the war must end with the release of all captives. In public statements and protests, relatives mark each passing day as an incumbent reminder of 700 days in captivity, asking loudly what the cost will be for failure to secure a full return and safe passage home. Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated that the conflict could end immediately under Israel’s terms: the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and a secure, civilian‑led governance framework in Gaza that does not threaten Israel. His office underscored that no Hamas propaganda video will weaken resolve or derail the government’s goals. The broader political calculus remains shaped by the hostages’ fate, with the Israeli leadership signaling that any settlement must guarantee their return in full and the permanent dismantling of Hamas’ military capabilities.

In the West Bank, policy debates intensify around sovereignty and security calculations. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s proposals are seen by supporters as an opportunity to advance sovereignty, while critics warn of renewed violence and regional backlash. Israeli security forces and the Shin Bet continue intensive operations across the West Bank, arresting dozens of suspected militants in villages and towns, and seizing weapons and materials tied to terror plots. A parallel routine of policing and counterterrorism has produced a steady drumbeat of arrests and seizures, underscoring the persistent volatility of the area even as Israeli leaders press for a broader political settlement.

In Gaza’s...