Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-12 at 08:10

HEADLINES
Ceasefire fragile as Israel targets Hamas abroad
US sanctions Houthis to curb regional threats
Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years for coup

The time is now 4:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is a 4:00 a.m. news update. We begin with a look at the evolving security landscape in the region, followed by key global and domestic developments, and then a set of notable human-interest and geopolitical items shaping the morning hours.

The ceasefire landscape in the region remains fragile. Publicly, Israel continues to emphasize the goal of de-escalation and the pursuit of security for its civilians, while privately officials warn that the situation could deteriorate if militant groups push the line. In recent days, Jerusalem has conducted targeted operations against Hamas leadership and other figures in movements linked to the Gaza war, including actions taken outside Gaza. These strikes have drawn sharp international scrutiny over legality and sovereignty, especially when they occur in countries hosting leaders of armed groups connected to the conflict. Expert voices note that the legality hinges on the balance between self-defense and the host state’s willingness and ability to manage threats within its borders, a debate often framed around the so‑called “unwilling or unable” doctrine. Israel’s leadership insists that its actions are aimed at pressuring Hamas to accept ceasefire arrangements or hostage-release proposals mediated by allied powers, while stressing that any negotiations must preserve Israel’s security needs and the safety of its people.

In Gaza, the hostage issue continues to cast a long shadow over talks of any ceasefire. Israeli officials have signaled readiness to advance negotiations with external mediators, but any lasting agreement remains contingent on measurable steps and reciprocation from Hamas. The Palestinian territory continues to endure heavy bombardment and displacement, with civil-defense agencies describing substantial destruction and large numbers of residents displaced or rendered homeless in the past week. Israel’s supporters emphasize the humanitarian imperative of a ceasefire that secures hostages’ return or safe passage for civilians, while acknowledging the need to prevent further attacks that repeatedly target Israeli civilians.

On the regional front, the United States has moved to constrain militant networks beyond Gaza. The Treasury Department announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Yemen’s Houthi movement, designating dozens of individuals and entities and several vessels. The measures aim to disrupt fundraising, smuggling, and attack operations tied to the Houthis, who have been active in the region and pose broader security concerns for the area and for international shipping lanes. The steps reflect a consistent American objective of pressuring destabilizing actors while maintaining a coalition approach with regional partners who favor de‑escalation and a path back to diplomacy.

International diplomacy also looms large in the background. The United Nations General Assembly is poised to vote on the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, a resolution pushing toward a two-state framework that would require Hamas’ exit from leadership in Gaza and a renewed international effort to achieve a lasting peace. Israel has been skeptical of broader UN-led efforts that it views as insufficiently accounting for security needs, while several Arab and European states have expressed a willingness to endorse the declaration as part of renewed regional engagement. The broader aim common to many partners is to stabilize the region and create space for negotiations with international mediation, even as Israel maintains that a viable long-term peace must be anchored in its security requirements and sovereignty.