Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-07 at 17:06

HEADLINES
Eight Houthis Drones Target Israel Airports
Gaza Hostages Remain Central to Ceasefire Talks
Fragile Israel Iran Ceasefire Tested by Proxies

The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 1:00 p.m. update on the Middle East and world news. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran and its regional proxies remains in place for now, even as the region shows renewed signs of strain. In recent days, Tehran’s regional reach has been tested by a combination of diplomatic signals and repeated security challenges, including militant actions by groups affiliated with Iran in the Levant and along the Gulf of Aden, with Israel insisting it will defend its citizens and territory while pursuing diplomatic channels that can reduce danger through strength.

From the south, Israel reported a major drone campaign attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement. The group announced eight drones in a single wave, with one directed at the Ramon Airport near Eilat, three aimed at sensitive military sites in the Negev, one toward the city of Ashkelon, one targeting Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, and two toward a site in Ashdod. The Israeli air force identified the drones but did not classify the craft as enemy drones in the moment of detection, and interception systems were not activated in this incident. In the broader context, Israel’s air defenses have intercepted the vast majority of Houthis drones since the current conflict began, though this event marks another reminder of the threats facing the country and the need for constant readiness.

In Gaza, the hostage situation continues to loom over any prospects for ceasefire arrangements. Hamas still holds a number of hostages—today reported as around 48—among the more than 250 people seized in 2023. The situation remains deeply contested, with ongoing humanitarian concerns and significant pressure from families and international actors to secure the release of captives. In exchange deals of past months, Israel has freed a large number of Palestinian prisoners, and in separate truces the two sides have exchanged hostages and bodies on several occasions, highlighting the complexity of achieving durable arrangements that safeguard civilians and secure the release of captives.

Domestically, the Israeli security environment remains vigilant. The army has ordered a restricted zone around the home of the military chief amid anti-war protests in recent days, citing professional and security considerations. In parallel, the government has announced the appointment of a former police counterterrorism official as a liaison to Palestinians, aiming to improve coordination and reduce friction on the ground as security operations continue. Across the border, the High Court of Justice ruled that prisoner food rations in Israeli jails were below legal standards, ordering the state to provide meals that meet basic nutritional needs. The decision drew criticism from political figures who argued that national security considerations must be weighed against humanitarian duties, while supporters of the ruling argued that a state must uphold minimum standards of treatment for all detainees.

Internationally, the United States is again signaling a policy of pressure combined with alliance-building in pursuit of security and peace in the region. A broad cross-party group of lawmakers has urged President Donald Trump to restrict visas for Iran’s president and other senior regime officials ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, framing the move as part of a sustained “peace through strength” approach and a commitment to counter Iran’s regional influence. The letters describe Tehran as a source of terrorism and repression and urge a firm stance to limit Iran’s ability to operate on the world stage. The same discussions note that Washington is weighing broader...