Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-05 at 23:07

HEADLINES
Gaza City offensive advances amid hostage pressure
Trump signs order curbing hostage diplomacy
Belgian agents foil attack near Israeli embassy

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 7:00 PM this evening, here is the hour’s news update spanning the conflict in Gaza, regional dynamics, and the broader international and domestic stage.

Israel’s Gaza operation remains at a pivotal moment. Officials say the campaign to take Gaza City proceeds under the command of senior military leadership, with a clear emphasis on protecting hostages while pursuing Hamas targets. In recent days the Israeli military has signaled it will press ahead with the operation, even as it acknowledges the hostage issue complicates tactical choices. New footage circulating from Gaza has drawn additional concern for captives, including a video showing one hostage in deteriorating condition. Israeli officials stress their commitment to a plan they describe as professional and responsible, and they remain opposed to a partial ceasefire tied to hostage releases, arguing that a comprehensive arrangement is necessary before any enduring settlement.

On the hostage front, the numbers circulating among officials describe a grim reality: around 48 hostages are still held in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 26 people killed in the fighting. Roughly 20 captives are believed alive, with serious concerns about the welfare of a number of others. In parallel, families of the captives remain anxious as officials warn that intelligence about hostage locations is incomplete and that Hamas could maneuver captives within Gaza as military operations unfold. Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly asserted that Israel will not accept a partial deal with Hamas and continues to press for a full return of all hostages in exchange for Hamas’s disarmament and a broader security settlement for Gaza. In related discussions, the Israeli military chief has told hostage families that the operation will be conducted with full responsibility for troops and captives, signaling the high stakes and the personal dimension of command decisions.

The human dimension of the conflict also drew attention to the humanitarian and legal debates surrounding Gaza. Israel rejects charges of genocide and emphasizes it is working to deliver humanitarian aid while arguing Hamas bears responsibility for using civilians as shields. At the same time, authorities and international observers monitor the humanitarian corridor dynamics and the risk environment for civilians caught in the crossfire, including those attempting to leave conflict zones through border crossings.

Regional dynamics outside Gaza have grown more audible in debates about the broader security landscape. Israel’s position toward neighboring states remains shaped by concerns over militant networks and the potential for displacement pressures along borders. In a separate strain of diplomacy, Egypt has reiterated that displacement of Palestinians is unacceptable, even as it coordinates with Israel on issues related to Gaza and border management. Netanyahu has drawn international attention by insisting that while he would open border crossings to allow movement for those wishing to leave Gaza, such steps would be blocked by Egypt if they were pursued in practice, underscoring the fragility of the Rafah crossing arrangement in the current conflict environment. Cairo has condemned what it calls calls for displacement and reiterated its stance that a humanitarian approach must guide any responses to the Gaza crisis.

Across the Atlantic, US policy and diplomacy are continuing to shape the immediate calculus around the conflict. The White House and Washington’s appellate diplomacy have kept a high profile on hostage negotiations, with President Donald Trump stating that...