HEADLINESThai hostage dies in Hamas custodyGermany's Merz visits Israel, defense tiesIran drills missiles and drones, tightens hijabThe time is now 6:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good morning. This is a briefing on the evolving Middle East landscape, with attention to Israeli and Jewish perspectives for an international audience. We begin with events in Gaza, widen to regional diplomacy and security moves, and then touch on related developments in Europe, Asia, and Africa that bear on the broader strategic picture.A key development in Gaza concerns the ceasefire framework and the return of hostages. A Thai worker, Sudthisak Rinthalak, identified by Israel as among those handed over in connection with the ceasefire’s initial phase, died in Hamas custody after being captured on October 7, 2023. His family in Nong Khai, Thailand, prepared a Buddhist ceremony to honor him as they await the remains. His death underscores the human dimension of the ceasefire talks: families across regions await news and closure as the exchange of bodies and the humanitarian terms of the pause proceed. In parallel, Hamas and allied voices have reiterated positions in public forums and media appearances that signal a continued insistence on their strategic objectives, including sovereignty over Gaza and resistance to external security arrangements. A prominent Hamas voice, speaking in Istanbul, emphasized that the movement will defend its weapons and political aims, viewing Jerusalem and Gaza as central to its project and calling for international accountability for Israel.On the diplomatic track, mediators from the region and beyond are pursuing the next phase of the ceasefire. In Doha, mediators signaled that progress remains possible but stressed that the terms require careful alignment of security guarantees, humanitarian access, and a sustainable political framework. The negotiators have emphasized that any expansion of the pause will hinge on verifiable steps and the involvement of regional powers in shaping a durable settlement, including the conditions for Israeli security needs and Palestinian governance arrangements. In parallel, senior regional voices have kept the channels open with Western partners, reflecting a shared interest in preventing a broader escalation while balancing security concerns with humanitarian considerations.Europe and the United States continue to weigh their roles in this environment. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his first visit to Israel since taking office, aiming to reaffirm traditional ties strained by the Gaza war and related policy debates. The visit included discussions on defense cooperation, including Israel’s Arrow missile defense system and broader security assistance. Berlin also indicated a readiness to balance concerns about civilian harm with support for Israel’s security needs, while remaining engaged with the broader aim of a stable, two-state process. The visit highlighted how Western partners are juggling security guarantees, defense ties, and geopolitical considerations in a region where hard security questions intersect with humanitarian concerns. In parallel, US diplomacy has emphasized a preference for regional, locally led solutions in Iran and the wider region, underscoring a reluctance to pursue outcomes that would destabilize the regional order and signaling openness to negotiations if Iran demonstrates seriousness about regional security arrangements. A broader view from Washington has stressed the importance of limiting civilian harm, maintaining humanitarian relief, and supporting regional actors in shaping a sustainable balance of power.Iran remains a central factor in the regional equation, with multiple strands of activity and rhetoric shaping the outlook. On the domestic front, Iran is tightening dress code enforcement in public life, with lawmakers pressing the judiciary for stricter measures related to hijab compliance. Tehran’s government has faced protests since 2022 and has shown reluctance to impose punitive penalties on women for noncompliance, citing social and political complexities. In parallel, Tehran has continued to project influence through its long-range capabilities and regional partnerships. Reports describe a major exercise by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, including naval forces, testing long-range missiles and unmanned aircraft in the Gulf, as part of broader readiness and electronic warfare drills. This display of force sits alongside public messaging intended to deter external pressure and to signal deterrence in a domain where Israel and its allies monitor developments closely. Iran’s activity in China, discussed by some analysts as a soft-power initiative, reflects a broader pattern of diversified influence that actors in the region watch with interest, given how China’s investments and partnerships intersect with regional security dynamics.A separate ...
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