Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-12 at 10:07

HEADLINES
Gaza War Intensifies as 47 Hostages Held
Doha Strike Targets Hamas Leaders Complicating Talks
Crossing 147 Expands Tripling Gaza Aid Flows

The time is now 6:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. It’s six o’clock in the morning, and here is the latest on the crisis across Israel, Gaza, and the wider region, with the weight of diplomacy, security, and humanitarian concerns clearly in view.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza continues to be the central pillar of the regional confrontation, while diplomacy labors to keep a fragile ceasefire framework intact. Israeli authorities say efforts to move civilians south and to expand humanitarian corridors remain a priority as fighting continues in the south and around Gaza City. In parallel, the hostage issue remains a grave and defining element of any settlement framework. Hamas still holds 47 hostages, with estimates suggesting about 20 to 22 may still be alive. Israel has insisted that any end to the war must occur on its terms, including Hamas’s disarmament and a political arrangement for Gaza that excludes Hamas and any government linked to it or to the Palestinian Authority. The situation remains fluid as negotiators push for a comprehensive, all-for-all hostage release rather than a staged approach.

Diplomacy and mediation took a sharp turn this week after a high-stakes strike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, a move that several sources described as potentially complicating mediation efforts. The attack reportedly occurred while Hamas leadership was gathering to discuss a US-proposed framework for a hostage deal and end to the Gaza war. The strike quickly drew mixed reactions in Washington and among regional mediators. The Israeli government has argued that the action is part of a broader effort to degrade Hamas’s command structure, while some US officials signaled frustration with how the operation affected negotiations. In Washington, President Donald Trump publicly criticized the strike, saying it did not advance Israel or American interests, even as he continued to stress that eliminating Hamas remains a worthy goal. Behind the scenes, officials underscored ongoing discussions about security guarantees and hostage exchanges with Qatar, Egypt, and other partners who have long facilitated talks focused on Gaza.

Qatar’s prime minister is scheduled to meet with US officials in Washington today to discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts, hostage negotiations, and the possibility of a new defense arrangement with the United States. The White House and State Department have signaled a continued US interest in stabilizing the region and supporting mediation partners, with Marco Rubio listed as meeting the Qatari delegation and President Trump and White House adviser Steve Witkoff also involved in related discussions. Qatar has long hosted Hamas leaders in the past and maintains a complex balancing act between safeguarding its own security concerns and supporting humanitarian access to Gaza. The Qatari side stresses that its mediation will continue in pursuit of stopping the bloodshed and advancing humanitarian relief, even as the broader conflict evolves.

On the ground in Gaza, Israel says it is extending humanitarian relief measures and facilitating civilian movement where possible, including expanding the capacity of crossings to bring in essential aid. In the southern corridor and around major population centers, efforts to depoliticize civilian evacuations and to provide safe zones remain a point of contention, with humanitarian workers and international observers pressing for steady, reliable aid flows and protection for civilians.

The broader regional dynamic remains deeply influenced by Iran and its network of proxies. Observers caution that the struggle extends beyond Gaza, with concerns about Iran’s influence in Syria,...