Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-12 at 14:08

HEADLINES
US Admiral Meets Assad in Damascus
Israel Targets Hamas Leadership in Doha
Houthis Intercept Drones Elevating Regional Risk

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

A fragile pause in the broader confrontation involving Israel and Iran remains on edge, with diplomacy across the region trying to steady a volatile landscape while real-world security actions continue to shape the balance of power. Washington asserts a steadfast commitment to Israel’s security as part of a broader stance that favors peace through strength and a clear line against actions that could widen the conflict. In a rare development, the US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper met in Damascus with President Bashar al-Assad, a signaling moment that underscores shifting dynamic among regional actors even as combat operations persist in Gaza and surrounding fronts.

On the Gaza front, Israel’s campaign against Hamas has entered a new phase as strikes have targeted Hamas leadership in Doha after signals of a hardening posture by Hamas and its networks. Israeli officials say the operation aims to degrade Hamas’s command and control while pursuing the release of hostages taken in October 2023. In Gaza City and surrounding areas, the health ministry in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, has reported an alarming death toll that rivaled international calculations, underscoring the humanitarian emergency as UN agencies warn of famine conditions and rising malnutrition among thousands of children. The Israeli military has expanded its aid corridors to Gaza in an effort to support civilians fleeing violence, with plans to increase aid deliveries through key crossings in central Gaza to move more relief into a humanitarian zone south of Gaza City, though aid delivery remains a contested and contestedly coordinated process with elements of the international community.

The hostage issue remains central to the crisis, with both Israeli officials and international partners pressing for a comprehensive effort to recover all hostages. In parallel, a number of international actors have urged restraint and emphasized the necessity of civilian protection, even as some commentators question whether the battlefield momentum could translate into a broader ceasefire or a durable political settlement. The Gaza conflict continues to dominate headlines, with UNICEF warning that hundreds of thousands of children are at risk and that sustained humanitarian access is essential to prevent further tragedy.

Across the region, Iran’s proxies and allies are rebalancing their posture in light of evolving diplomatic and military signals. Reports of intensified activity from various fronts underscore the uncertainty of escalation pathways in the weeks ahead. In the broader theater, a pattern of high-stakes diplomacy and outsized security notices continues to shape headlines from Europe to the Gulf.

Houthi activity in Yemen remains a concern as Israel reports continued air defense vigilance against drones and missiles launched toward or over regional airspace. Officials say several unmanned systems were intercepted in recent days, reflecting ongoing efforts to deter cross-border threats from Yemen’s Houthis amid shifting alliances and competing regional narratives. The interception campaigns highlight the persistent risk of spillover into Israeli airspace and the potential for wider confrontation if diplomatic channels fail to translate into immediate reductions in hostility.

Internationally, Europe’s public diplomacy and security calculations are in focus as several states weigh participation in regional forums and cultural events in light of the conflict. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said it would boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates, joining Ireland and Spain in signaling that the Gaza war and...