Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-10 at 23:05

HEADLINES
Israel Doubles Defense Rejects Two State Hope
Hamas Leadership Survives Strikes Hostages Persist
Elizabeth Tsurkov Returns Home After Release

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

This is 7:00 PM, and here is the hour’s update on the war, diplomacy, and the wider consequences of the crisis that began on October 7. In Israel, Prime Minister Yair Lapid reiterated a clear judgment: there is no two-state solution on the near horizon, and the government will keep defense at the forefront while rejecting premature optimism about a political settlement. The message comes as Israel maintains what it calls a necessary security footing against ongoing threats, even as the civilian toll in Gaza remains catastrophic and hostage issues persist.

On the battlefield and the regional horizon, reporting suggests the impression of a shifting balance rather than a decisive outcome. Reports indicate that many Hamas officials may have survived the recent strikes in Qatar, underscoring that the organization’s leadership and command may not yet be decisively broken, even as Israel continues its military pressure and seeks to constrain Hamas’s capabilities. The hostage crisis remains central to the conflict’s calculus, with a number of hostages still held in Gaza and humanitarian concerns mounting for civilians in the enclave.

International dynamics remain deeply engaged around mediation efforts and statements from key players. In a diplomatic flare, Qatar condemned Israeli remarks about hosting a Hamas office as reckless, while Doha and other mediators emphasize that any path toward peace must balance security commitments with humanitarian imperatives. Israel has urged Qatar to act in a way that supports the broader effort to stabilize the region, while recognizing Qatar’s role as a mediator alongside Egypt. Tunisia, meanwhile, described the assault on a Gaza-aid ship in Sidi Bou Said as orchestrated, as the Global Sumud Flotilla aimed to break the blockade by sea; the Tunisian interior ministry said it was investigating the drone attack, and UN voices stressing respect for sovereignty added another layer to the dispute over aid delivery and regional tensions.

In Washington, a high-profile exchange between presidents and prime ministers drew attention to ways in which American policy and public rhetoric touch the conflict. Reports describe President Trump telling Prime Minister Netanyahu that striking Hamas inside Qatar was not wise, a characterization tied to a broader debate over the best timing and targeting of operations that could affect hostage releases and regional stability. On the diplomatic front, the United States, alongside its allies, continues to weigh how to pressure Hamas and its supporters while maintaining channels for humanitarian relief and hostage negotiations.

Domestically in Israel, the political landscape moves with strategic funding decisions. The Knesset is set to vote on a NIS 30 billion increase in defense spending, a measure designed to strengthen Israel’s security posture amid ongoing hostilities and regional threats. While this boost is significant, it is expected to rely on abstentions from certain coalition partners, leaving the government navigating a tight political balance as it seeks to preserve defense priorities without destabilizing other ministries.

In the political and diplomatic arena abroad, ties with the United Kingdom feature prominently as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Isaac Herzog met in London in a session described as tough but candid. Herzog argued that recognizing a Palestinian state would embolden extremists and undermine efforts to secure the release of hostages, while Starmer warned of the dangers of humanitarian crises spiraling. The encounter highlighted the enduring alliance between Israel and the United...