Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-12 at 19:04

HEADLINES
Iranian hackers breach Israeli actors personal data
IDF widens strikes across Gaza City
UN backs Palestinian statehood resolution overwhelmingly

The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 3:00 PM, this is the hourly update. Iranian actors have reportedly intensified phishing attempts targeting Israeli entertainment figures, with dozens of actors’ personal data compromised in these campaigns, underscoring ongoing cyber security concerns linked to Iran’s regional proxies. In Gaza, the Israeli defense forces say they are continuing operations, including strikes on targets across Gaza City as part of a broader campaign against militant infrastructure, with authorities stressing the objective of degrading capabilities used against Israeli civilians.

On the diplomatic front, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly supported a Palestinian statehood resolution drafted by France and Saudi Arabia, a vote Israel has dismissed as theatrical and unhelpful to real peace efforts. In Europe, cultural and political tensions have flared: in Berlin, authorities stepped in after a Belgian festival rescinded its invitation to Lahav Shani, the chief conductor of the Israel Philharmonic, over Gaza-related concerns, illustrating how the war is influencing arts and culture beyond the region. Separately, seven Israeli players withdrew from a Spanish chess tournament after organizers barred participation under the Israeli flag, a move the International Chess Federation said it had not approved and condemned as discrimination.

In regional diplomacy, Egypt has signaled a shift in security coordination with Israel following the Qatar-focused strike that drew international attention; officials described restructuring of security communications in the wake of that operation. In the same vein, Spain’s foreign ministry summoned Israel’s acting ambassador to Madrid to seek clarifications over statements attributed to Israeli officials regarding Spain’s position, underscoring growing sensitivity in Europe to Israel-related diplomacy.

The war’s human dimensions remain central to the news cycle. The hostages in Gaza remain a focal point for international concern and domestic politics alike. US President Donald Trump, in recent remarks, indicated that a small number of hostages might have died in recent days, reiterating that Washington is not pursuing a partial hostage release but a broader, if tough, resolve to recover Americans and Israelis held by Hamas and allied groups. Families of the missing have urged urgent talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu as military and diplomatic efforts continue to unfold. Israeli and allied officials have stressed the imperative of securing the 20 or so hostages believed to be alive while seeking the swift return of the remains of others held by Hamas, a complex dynamic that complicates any potential ceasefire or phased resolution.

With Yemen’s conflict persisting, the Houthis continue attacks from across the Arabian Peninsula, keeping the Bab el-Mandeb strait a flashpoint and complicating regional security and shipping routes, a factor that informs both humanitarian relief needs and international willingness to press for a longer-term settlement.

Domestically, the broader security landscape remains a topic of debate inside Israel, where officials emphasize punitive and preventive measures are essential to national survival, even as critics view such steps as potentially fueling cycles of violence. The United Nations, regional partners, and humanitarian groups are watching closely as voices on all sides weigh immediate security needs against long-term prospects for a negotiated settlement.

In summary, the day’s reporting reflects a multifaceted moment: cyber and conventional threats linked to Iran’s networks; continued military pressure in...