Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-07 at 18:07

HEADLINES
US hostage exchange plan draws global scrutiny
Gaza hostage status unclear as operations intensify
Ultra-Orthodox draft debate ignites Israeli politics

The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is an hourly update. A fragile pause persists in fighting and diplomacy across the region, with regional and international actors pressing for restraint while warning that the underlying conflict remains dangerous. In Jerusalem and Washington, officials weigh a set of proposals aimed at ending the current war and securing the release of hostages, even as questions endure about how lasting a settlement can be while hardline positions persist on both sides.

On Gaza and the broader confrontation with Hamas, US officials have circulated a plan described by some outlets as a comprehensive exchange. The proposal calls for the release of all 48 hostages in return for the freedom of imprisoned militants and an immediate halt to combat as talks proceed under a Trump administration framework. Israeli officials have told colleagues that the offer is being taken seriously, though they caution that Hamas has shown repeated reluctance to cooperate in past negotiations. In public commentary, some Israeli leaders, including former and current defense and security voices, have signaled that a political framework aligned with a “peace through strength” approach could be preferable, while others urge cautious engagement with any plan that could be perceived as rewarding violent aggression.

Meanwhile, the war’s human dimension remains acutely evident. About half of the remaining hostages are believed to be alive, with authorities and families continuing to press for clarity and accountability regarding their fate. On the battlefield, the Israeli defense establishment reports ongoing operations to degrade Hamas’ capabilities while protecting civilians, and to secure strategic positions in Gaza City, the last major Hamas stronghold in the Strip. The battlefield picture continues to evolve in staged campaigns, with ground operations, airstrikes, and the broader mobilization of reserve forces shaping the campaign’s tempo and reach.

In the air and at sea, Iran and its regional proxies remain central to the regional risk calculus. Iranian leadership has articulated a position that emphasizes domestic economic stress and the need for calculated restraint, while signaling that external pressure and the prospect of regional escalation cannot be ignored. The broader dynamic remains a focal point for international diplomacy as allied capitals seek a stable, verifiable ceasefire and a pathway to negotiations, even as alliances and rivalries in the region continue to shift.

The conflict’s spillover into neighboring states continues to demand attention. In Yemen, Houthi forces have continued attacks, highlighting the persistent threat they pose to Israeli and regional targets. Reports detail drone and missile activity in the region, including claims by Houthi spokespeople of broader operations. Israel’s military has publicly described some drones as detectable and non-hostile in early assessments, while also noting successful interceptions of other threats along the borders with Egypt and in the broader theater. The IDF has stressed that while its air defense network has intercepted thousands of threats since the war began, no system is foolproof, and the threat environment remains dynamic.

Domestically, the political landscape in Israel continues to reflect the pressures of war and occupation policy, with debate intensifying over leadership and direction. In the wake of public disagreements over security and governance, former and current ministers have discussed how to shape a new leadership for the country that can better project stability and security abroad while managing a tense political...