HEADLINES- Iran US rift risks regional catastrophe- Almog Meir Jan recalls 246 days captivity- Ultra Orthodox protests spark policing controversyThe time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good morning. This is a 7:00 a.m. briefing on the shifting Middle East landscape with focus on Israel, the Palestinian territories, and the broader regional dynamic. Authorities in Washington and European capitals are weighing options as tensions with Tehran intensify, while on the ground in Gaza and Jerusalem events continue to shape daily life and strategic calculations.First, the international outlook. A string of developments underscores a region at high risk of escalation. Iran is portrayed in some summaries as viewing negotiations with the United States as potentially more costly than confrontation, a position described by sources in Tehran to regional outlets. Washington has signaled readiness to respond if Iran acts, including through military options, while foreign ministers in Europe are preparing new sanctions that could eventually bring Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps within broader designations. Moscow has urged restraint and diplomacy, stressing that force would destabilize the region. In parallel, Turkey has offered to mediate between Washington and Tehran as part of broader regional discussions, and Ankara is weighing additional security measures along its border should the dispute widen. In Washington, discussions among Israeli and Saudi officials, along with American counterparts, have been reported as focused on aligning positions should a strike or a broader regional confrontation unfold. Israel’s security and intelligence community has provided input to policymakers, highlighting potential targets and the regional implications of any action.Turning to Gaza and Israeli hostages. Almog Meir Jan, a former Gaza hostage who spent 246 days in captivity, described a shift in his perspective after the ordeal. He said his belief in coexistence deteriorated, and he linked the persistence of hatred and calls for destruction with the broader ruin in Gaza and the obstacles to Palestinian state-building. Jan recounted the moment of his rescue during Operation Arnon in June 2024, noting the intense atmosphere as Israeli forces moved in and captors were neutralized. He described fear during captivity, the sense of value he felt upon release, and a view that there are no innocents in Gaza, a statement he offered in the context of deeply traumatic experiences. He also spoke of the morning of October 7, recalling rocket fire, an ambush, and the chaos of being kidnapped. On his return, Jan discussed personal strain, including the death of his father on the day he was freed, and he emphasized a belief that revenge should be reframed as personal resilience and public service—championing education, economic development, and the ability to travel and share the story of those who did not return.On the operational side, Israel’s defense and intelligence communities have discussed how hostage scenarios were managed during the war. An IDF senior intelligence official described a situation in which certain Gazan militants were not eliminated immediately in order to preserve hostage information and the possibility of rescue. The account also noted Mossad’s involvement in negotiations and, to some extent, operational efforts, while stressing the complexity of distinguishing between living hostages and remains for different kinds of planning. The reconciliation between combat effectiveness and the maintenance of hostage information channels was framed as a delicate balance involving thousands of personnel over the course of the conflict. As the war evolved, operators refined training and procedures to reduce uncertainty about hostages’ fates, a process that continued through the months following December 2023.In related developments, Netanyahu’s office said it did not block all military options before October 7, countering claims that the prime minister rejected repeated requests to kill Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar prior to the attack. Security officials emphasized that operational decisions are made with multiple factors in mind, including risk to soldiers and civilians, current intelligence, and the likelihood of success.Domestically, Israel faces continuing demonstrations and security challenges related to social and political fault lines. In Jerusalem and across crowded hubs, ultra-Orthodox protests have sometimes collided with police activities, raising questions about enforcement approaches and public safety. Critics say police responses have varied, at times appearing slow to respond to protests that escalated into violence, while others argue that demonstrations strain traffic and daily life. Analysts caution that early, coordinated intervention is essential when protests threaten civilians or property, and they emphasize the importance of ...
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