Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-13 at 22:05

HEADLINES
Gaza evac urged as hostages loom
Veteran photographer tackled near Likud rally
Egypt revives NATO-style Arab force concept

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

At six o’clock this evening, a lay of the region shows a volatile mix of security concerns, diplomatic maneuvering, and urgent humanitarian questions as Israel and its partners seek a path forward amid renewed tensions in Gaza and broader regional shifts. In Israel, hundreds gathered for ceasefire and hostage talks and, outside a Likud event in Petah Tikva, a veteran photojournalist was pulled to the ground in a confrontation with police while covering the scene. He and others reported being subjected to a tense security presence, and police said the incident was under review with at least one arrest reported nearby. Separately, an incident involving a female minister described as harassment by protesters added to the sense of a crowded political moment as other demonstrations unfolded across the country.

In Gaza and along the Gaza-Israel front, the war’s next phase remains unsettled as Israel presses ahead with military plans in Gaza City and diplomacy fans out in parallel. Families of the 48 hostages held by Hamas continued to press for progress at demonstrations in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square and across the country, warning against delay. Israel’s military has urged a large-scale evacuation of the Gaza City area ahead of what is expected to be a major ground operation, even as many in the security establishment publicly debate how best to secure the hostages while pursuing a broader military objective. On the diplomatic front, Israel’s recent strike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders abroad drew a mixed reception. Prime Minister Netanyahu and others framed the operation as a potential turning point in ending the war and freeing hostages, while US officials, including Rubio, said Washington was not happy about the strike but affirmed the essential US-Israel relationship and continued efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage releases. Rubio, traveling to the region, underscored that President Trump’s approach centers on defeating Hamas, ending the war, and bringing all hostages home—an objective he said must be pursued in concert with US diplomacy.

Regionally, the diplomatic and security architecture around Israel is shifting as Arab capitals weigh risks and opportunities in a post-assad era and in the wake of the Qatar incident. Egypt, seeking a broader regional consensus, is reviving a NATO-style Arab force concept intended for rapid defense against external threats, a proposal that has gained traction ahead of upcoming Arab summits. Doha is slated to host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in response to the strike against Hamas leaders, with Egypt’s leadership anticipated to participate. The Abraham Accords, viewed by some analysts as a pragmatic framework for cooperation, remain under scrutiny as the region contends with the fragmentation of Iran’s regional network and the enduring challenge posed by Hamas and its allies. In parallel, discussions continue about how to address the influence of Islamist movements in the region, with US officials signaling that any realignment must balance security needs with the broader goal of regional stability.

Beyond Gaza, the Red Sea corridor remains a flashpoint as Yemen’s Houthis continue to threaten shipping routes through the Bab el-Mandeb, complicating global supply chains and adding pressure to international efforts to quiet the theater. US policymakers argue that even amid Gaza’s crisis, a future international campaign will likely be necessary to curb Houthi activity and prevent a broader regional escalation, while still prioritizing humanitarian relief for civilians in Gaza and avoiding new rounds of mass civilian casualties. In Europe and the broader international arena,...