Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-07 at 11:06

HEADLINES
US backs Israel as ceasefire wavers
New Syrian leadership pitches wider bloc backing
Gaza gets eight new food distribution centers

The time is now 7:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 7:00 AM update on Israel, the region, and the broader international context as these developments touch security, diplomacy, and civilian life.

The region continues to grapple with an uneasy ceasefire linked to Iran and its proxies. Israel stresses it will defend itself against threats from Iran and allied networks, while observers note that demonstrable progress toward a lasting peace remains limited. Washington has reiterated support for Israel’s security while backing efforts to prevent a wider regional escalation, underscoring a stance of security through strength and allied coordination.

In Damascus, Syria’s evolving diplomacy is taking on new urgency. Ahmed al-Shara’a, the country’s new leadership figure, is actively courting a broader web of partners—Arab states, China, Russia, and Western powers—and seeking backing from the Arab League as part of a drive to reshape Syria’s international standing. The diplomacy push aims to restore ties and secure more predictable engagement with a range of powers, even as Syria remains at the center of competing security and diplomatic calculations in the region.

Lebanon and Hezbollah remain a focal point of tension and bargaining. Hezbollah officials have signaled that Lebanon’s plan to establish a state monopoly on arms and disarm the group is an opportunity only if Israel halts strikes and withdraws its forces from southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities welcomed the army’s roadmap but warned that their capacity to implement it is limited and that continued Israeli operations could undermine progress. Israel has continued targeted operations in the area, including strikes that have killed militants, while Beirut and Washington press for disarmament within a broader regional framework.

The Gaza situation remains constrained by Hamas’s continuing hostage crisis and the group’s own diminished military capabilities relative to its peak in past years. In parallel, Israel is expanding a humanitarian logistics effort tied to its Gaza operations. A plan to operate eight food distribution centers in Gaza over the coming weeks is designed to bring food to civilians as Israel advances operations in key southern areas while preparing for possible civilian displacements. Humanitarian authorities report that hundreds of thousands of families rely on aid packages, with distributions running at substantial daily volume, even as the broader security situation remains volatile. Israel says it is ensuring humanitarian corridors and continues to connect essential services, including water and power, to Gaza during ongoing operations, while stressing that civilian safety remains a priority in missions to evacuate areas of heavy fighting where possible.

Yemen’s Houthis persist as a regional irritant and security concern. The group has continued to threaten and strike, launching drones and missiles toward Israel from Yemen and triggering counterstrikes by the IDF. Alongside these attacks, a disruption in Red Sea internet connectivity has been attributed to undersea cable issues and, in some reports, suspected Houthi activity. Global networks report increased latency and intermittent outages affecting parts of the Middle East and South Asia, with Microsoft and NetBlocks noting regional impact while cautions about attribution remain ongoing.

International dynamics are shaping how these events unfold. A global debate is underway about Palestinian statehood and recognition. France has sought to organize international recognition discussions, while Israel’s leadership has argued that any move must be carefully weighed against security realities and...