Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-14 at 15:06

HEADLINES
Beit Hanoun raid kills 11 Hamas militants
Israel weighs hostage deal or ground invasion
Beit Shemesh student convicted of Iranian spying

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 11:00 AM update on the Israel-Gaza crisis and the broader regional backdrop. Tensions remain high as an uneasy ceasefire with Iran and its allied proxies hangs in the balance, and Israel weighs its next move in Gaza City. Israel’s security officials say Hamas has built tunnels along key routes and under many buildings in the Strip, a factor that could complicate any ground operation and raises the risk of hostage abductions if fighting resumes. In the latest battlefield report, soldiers from the IDF’s Northern Brigade, part of Division 99, conducted a targeted operation in Beit Hanoun’s Kasbah district and killed 11 Hamas militants believed to be operating in a subterranean network. Explosives were found at the site, and the operation involved coordination with the Shin Bet and other intelligence units as well as observation teams.

On the political front, Israel is weighing a difficult choice between accepting a hostage deal and a ceasefire or pressing forward with a ground offensive into Gaza City. The calculus follows a failed Qatar-mediated strike and mounting international pressure, with officials saying the decision will shape the campaign’s next phase and Israel’s ability to secure long-term security for its citizens.

International reaction remains varied. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, attracted attention by praising pro-Palestinian protesters who disrupted the Vuelta a España as it neared its end, signaling the global resonance of the Gaza crisis. Separately, prominent Arab leaders met in an Arab-Islamic forum to discuss backing Qatar in the wake of an Israeli strike on Doha, underscoring shifting regional alignments around mediation efforts. Egyptian intelligence officials have warned that any attempt to target Palestinian leaders on Egyptian soil would carry very serious consequences for the Middle East, as Cairo tightens security around Palestinian figures in the wake of the Doha strike. Qatar’s prime minister responded by saying the attack would not deter Doha’s continued mediation with Egypt and the United States toward ending the war in Gaza.

In Washington, discussions around where the conflict fits within US policy continue to surface. A recent round of reporting notes that Netanyahu plans to travel to the United States with a smaller delegation to avoid airspace linked to ICC tensions. In parallel, headlines highlighted a public statement expressing gratitude to the Trump administration, alongside the view that Washington supports Israel’s security posture. There were also reports that the US State Department canceled visas for a British performer over expressions critical of Israel, highlighting how the Gaza crisis is affecting Western political and cultural circles. After a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, Netanyahu is expected to hold a brief security meeting later today to map out next steps.

Inside Israel, attention remains fixed on security gains and the heightening toll of the war. Prime Minister Netanyahu marked the 50th anniversary of the Yamam, praising the elite counterterrorism unit as a central pillar of national security and hostage rescue. The government has made clear it will base its next moves on battlefield realities and hostage dynamics, while maintaining international diplomacy to shape broader outcomes. The Defense Ministry provided updated figures on the human cost of the conflict: more than 10,000 IDF soldiers have sought treatment for mental health issues since October 7, with roughly 56% showing PTSD or related conditions and about 20% suffering both physical and mental injuries. Official tallies indicate around 904 IDF soldiers...