Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-13 at 00:05

HEADLINES
Mossad Opposes Hamas Strike in Doha
Syria Talks Hint Israeli Drawdown from Golan
Hostages Drive Gaza Deal Talks

The time is now 8:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

The ceasefire dynamics in the region remain unsettled. Israel and Iran have not reached a durable cessation, with each side signaling resolve to defend core security interests even as limited contacts and indirect talks continue through intermediaries. In Gaza, Hamas’s operational capacity appears diminished compared to earlier phases of the conflict, but the group continues to hold a significant hostage roster and maintains influence over day-to-day life in the territory. Israeli leaders emphasize that security measures will persist to prevent any deterioration of conditions on the ground, while the fate of captives remains a central element of any broader understanding.

In a notable development, Mossad reportedly opposed a plan to target Hamas officials inside Doha, favoring airstrikes from the air rather than a ground operation to keep open channels with Qatar and avoid broader regional repercussions. The decision reflects a broader Israeli calculus: pursue strong military options when necessary while preserving diplomatic space with allies and partners in the region.

Across the border in Syria, the country’s new authorities say they are negotiating with Israel toward a security arrangement that would see Israeli forces withdraw from areas occupied in the aftermath of the Assad regime’s ouster. Israel maintains deployments in southern Syria, arguing that nearby weapons and militant activity could threaten northern communities if allowed to rebound. Israeli officials have indicated a continued willingness to engage in discussions that reduce risk on the Golan front while safeguarding strategic interests.

Lebanon and the Hezbollah question also loom large. The Israeli military has conducted operations and maintained a deterrent posture near the border, while Lebanon’s authorities signal a resolve to curb Hezbollah’s influence and remove armed groups from the frontier where possible. The balance remains delicate, with regional actors watching closely for any miscalculation that could widen the conflict.

In Gaza there is ongoing concern about the hostage situation, even as military pressure and diplomatic efforts continue. The humanitarian and political ramifications of any exchange or release are central to assessments of the broader stability of the Israeli-Palestinian theater.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthis persist with attacks that threaten shipping and stability in the Red Sea and surrounding approaches. The campaign continues to complicate security calculations for Israel and its allies, and for global commercial interests that rely on safe passage through key waterways.

Looking beyond the immediate theater, international reactions and external dynamics shape the environment. The United States and its Western partners have reaffirmed a commitment to deter aggression and defend allied interests, including commitments tied to NATO territory following a suspected drone incursion in Poland. Washington, many allies emphasize, remains concerned about broader escalation and the potential for spillover into adjacent regions.

In the Asia-Pacific, tensions around Taiwan Strait traffic and the presence of American and allied naval forces drew stern statements from China, which called for careful monitoring of foreign naval movements and warned against actions that could destabilize the region.

From the US policy perspective, the Trump administration continues to champion a framework of security through strength, working in close coordination with Israel to deter threats, protect civilian populations, and pursue a political settlement that preserves Israel’s security while seeking...