Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-14 at 13:06

HEADLINES
Netanyahu travels US on Wing of Zion
Israel storms Gaza City amid civilian toll
Hamas leadership fate stalls Doha talks

The time is now 9:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is 9:00 AM. Tensions remain high and the war in Gaza continues to drive a fragile regional and international calculus as diplomatic channels press forward and combat operations intensify in Gaza City.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the United States next week with a smaller delegation, citing airspace concerns tied to ICC-related political tensions and the need to protect the security and diplomatic interests of Israel. The plan to fly aboard the Wing of Zion reflects the broader challenge of coordinating resilience and engagement on multiple fronts while the conflict remains active.

In Washington, sentiment is focused on advancing a path that combines security with a political track. US officials have emphasized the importance of hostage negotiations and civilian protection, and US discussions with regional partners continue as Qatar prepares to host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit designed to shape the next moves. Israel’s leaders have been engaging with allies on both security and diplomatic fronts, including discussions tied to American efforts to broker a broader framework for Gaza and for regional normalization amid the ongoing crisis.

On the ground, Israeli forces have pressed into Gaza City as part of efforts aimed at dismantling Hamas’ last urban stronghold. Reports from Palestinian officials describe the destruction of dozens of residential buildings and widespread displacement as thousands of residents flee toward southern corridors Israel has designated as humanitarian zones. The Israeli military says it is targeting Hamas facilities and leadership hubs, including high-rise structures used for observation and command. Across the enclave, local authorities warn of mounting civilian casualties and a severe humanitarian toll, with ongoing concerns about food, water, and medical supplies for a population already strained by months of siege and bombardment. The Gaza health ministry reports hundreds of deaths in recent days and warns that malnutrition and hunger-related illnesses have surged, with thousands of Palestinians affected by shortages of essentials.

The Hamas leadership’s fate and the status of hostage negotiations remain pivotal to the diplomatic calculus. An Israeli operation in Doha aimed at striking Hamas leaders gathered there reportedly did not yield the intended result, complicating mediation efforts centered in Washington. The episode has drawn sharp international scrutiny and underscored how delicate the balance remains between counterterrorism aims and the diplomatic cost of taking action when leaders are dispersed across regional hubs.

Regional reactions continue to unfold. An Iranian lawmaker called for Qatar to expel US forces and to allow IRGC missiles to be deployed on Qatari soil in a bid to counter Israel, illustrating Tehran’s ongoing push to project influence across the Gulf. Turkish officials have voiced concern about possible Israeli strikes in Turkey, signaling Ankara’s vigilance as the conflict reverberates beyond Gaza. In Europe, Spain and Israel are at odds over remarks that Madrid says mischaracterize the Gaza war; the diplomatic exchange highlights the broader risk to cross-border cooperation as strategic interests collide with political rhetoric.

Humanitarian relief remains a central concern. Aid agencies warn that Gaza’s population faces critical shortages and that more aid and safe corridors are essential to prevent a deeper humanitarian crisis. The United Nations and various humanitarian groups continue to press for expanding aid flows, while Israel argues for security-linked constraints to protect civilians and prevent...