Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-06 at 13:06

HEADLINES
IDF Targets Hamas Core, Civilians Relocate
Hostage Families Press for Action
Israel US Meet to Deter Iran Proxies

The time is now 9:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 9:00 AM update. Tensions remain high as the region sits on edge of an uneasy ceasefire with Iran and its networks, even as leaders on both sides emphasize restraint and readiness. In a sign of ongoing diplomacy, Israeli military and United States Central Command officials, led by the IDF’s chief and the new CENTCOM commander, met to review threats posed by Iran and its proxies in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. The discussions focused on preventing escalation with Hezbollah in Lebanon, maintaining pressure on Iran’s regional capabilities, and guarding against destabilizing actions by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Officials underscored that Israel will defend itself against any attack and will pursue security measures in close coordination with allies who share the aim of curbing Iranian influence in the region.

On the ground in Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces carried out strikes on Hamas infrastructure described as central to the militants’ operations. In parallel, Israeli authorities ordered civilians in a section of Gaza City to evacuate and relocate southward to humanitarian zones in Khan Yunis and Al-Mawasi, a move intended to reduce civilian exposure to possible clashes and to consolidate movement toward safer corridors. The army stressed the importance of following guidance to minimize risk to noncombatants as operations continue to disrupt Hamas’ network. Hamas’ remaining operational capacity in Gaza continues to be constrained by airstrikes and ground pressure, complicating the group’s ability to launch large-scale attacks while the hostage crisis drags on.

The hostage situation in Gaza remains a defining element of the crisis. Families of abducted Israelis have pressed for attention to their loved ones, with some publicly mobilizing to demand accountability and a resolution. In one notable appeal, a mother described as Anat Angrest relayed a desperate message from her family, declaring that her son Matan is in immediate life-threatening danger and signaling her intent to reach political leaders in Jerusalem to demand action. The emotional intensity accompanying these pleas has kept the hostages’ fate at the center of domestic discussions, shaping security considerations and political rhetoric as the crisis persists.

Lebanon and the broader northern front continue to feature discussions about Hezbollah’s role and its future. Reports indicate an ongoing effort, led by a coalition of Lebanese authorities and political actors, to negotiate a plan to disarm Hezbollah. The talks are framed as part of wider regional stabilization efforts, with observers noting that any disarmament agreement would need to address security guarantees for Lebanon, the sanctity of its institutions, and the potential redirection of Hezbollah’s capabilities into political channels and nonbelligerent activities. The tone from diplomatic circles stresses that disarmament would be paired with verifiable steps and regional assurances.

In the backdrop, the war’s impact extends beyond the immediate districts of Gaza and southern Lebanon. Yemen’s Houthis continue a campaign that keeps shipping lanes and maritime security in focus for regional and international actors. The continued cross-border activity underscores the risk of spillover into broader confrontation and the potential for humanitarian stress to deepen as access to aid and essential supplies remains contested in several affected areas.

The strategic landscape is also shaped by comments and positions from regional and international actors. A number of analysts and policymakers underscore that the United States, in alignment with Israel, has pursued a policy of peace...