Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-06 at 02:10

HEADLINES
Hostage release talks intensify as crisis deepens
Hamas blocks evacuations as civilians trapped
US eyeing drone sale rewrite with Saudi

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

Tonight’s update priority is on the human costs of the Gaza war, the shifting diplomatic ground around Israel’s security, and the international responses that shape the pace and cadence of the conflict. What follows is a concise, on‑air briefing that stitches together official statements, diplomatic signals, and notable developments from Europe, the United States, and regional actors, with a steady focus on the safety and security interests at stake for Israel and its partners.

In Gaza, the hostage crisis remains at the center of diplomacy and daily life beneath a shattered ceasefire. President Trump said in remarks that negotiations with Hamas are ongoing and “very deep,” with a clear emphasis on pressing for the release of hostages. Officials note that 22 hostages are still defined as living, and 19 of them have signaled some form of contact or intent from captivity according to families and monitoring groups. The families say they are seeking clarity and reassurance, while Israel insists any path to release must preserve security and prevent renewed danger to civilians. The hostage situation continues to influence political calculations in Washington, Jerusalem, and allied capitals as leaders weigh security guarantees against humanitarian considerations.

A separate line of developments in Gaza centers on civil evacuation and civilian safety. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, or COGAT, released a letter detailing that Hamas blocked civil employees from evacuating from the northern Gaza Strip. Officials say this is another instance of Hamas exploiting civilians as human shields and placing its broader strategic aims ahead of residents’ safety. The dynamic underscores the difficulty of humanitarian corridors and aid deliveries in a landscape where militant controls and civilian needs collide, and it reinforces the sense that any future ceasefire would require enforceable guarantees for civilian evacuations and protections.

On the international front, France’s president offered a measured, symbolic reminder of the regional toll. Emmanuel Macron acknowledged 700 days since October 7 in a post on social media, underscoring calls for the release of hostages and the need for sustained international attention on the humanitarian and security dimensions of the conflict. The message, expressed in multiple languages, highlights the cross‑border concern and the role of allied governments in pressing for accountability and relief.

In Europe, the war’s reach continues to touch sports and culture and to provoke sharp political reactions. Spain’s foreign minister publicly backed measures that would exclude an Israeli cycling team from the Vuelta a España after confrontations with pro‑Palestinian protesters at Bilbao. The protests and the associated safety concerns prompted organizers to suspend part of the race and to weigh safety risks against the right to peaceful protest. Separately, a chess event in Spain initially restricted Israeli players from competing under the Israeli flag, a decision later reversed, with organizers citing safety considerations in the wake of protests and security concerns tied to the Gaza war. Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a public message of support for Israel’s cycling team, praising their resolve in the face of intimidation. The broader European climate remains tense, with critics linking incidents to European debates over human rights and foreign policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.

Turkey moved to ban a performance by Enrico Macias in Istanbul, citing calls for protests against the concert amid the Gaza crisis. The decision...