HEADLINES
Hostage crisis sparks Israel protests nationwide
Israel strikes Yemen power facility again
Indonesia begins Gaza aid airdrops

The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This morning, as dawn breaks, the country remains on edge amid a wave of protests anchored in the hostage issue and the Gaza war. Officials say more than 300 demonstrations are anticipated across cities and towns today as families of the hostages press for a breakthrough, a pause in fighting, and a clear plan to secure the captives’ return. In Tel Aviv, a large crowd gathered at Hostage Square and along major arteries, with many calling for an end to the war and for a negotiated deal that would bring all hostages home. The demonstrations include road blocks and a general call for a long‑overdue response to the hostage crisis, but police report that most protests have remained orderly and within the bounds of the law. Across the country, 25 people were arrested in protests in various locations, and authorities stressed that while the right to protest is protected, violence and disruption of public order would be addressed firmly. In Ra’anana, a driver struck a demonstrator during a confrontation, underscoring the volatile atmosphere surrounding today’s events.

On the security front, the conflict continues to unfold beyond Israel’s borders. Early Sunday, Israeli forces struck a Houthi power facility in Sanaa, Yemen, in what the IDF described as a response to a sustained pattern of attacks on Israeli territory. The strike marks the fourth time in four months that Israeli forces targeted Iranian‑backed proxies in Yemen. The attack damaged energy infrastructure deep inside Yemen and prompted power outages in parts of the capital. The Houthis have fired missiles and drones toward Israel repeatedly in recent weeks, prompting routine air alerts and sheltering across communities inside Israel. In the wake of these cross‑regional exchanges, Israel says its actions are aimed at degrading the ability of Iran’s proxies to threaten civilian life and critical infrastructure.

Indonesia and other partners are expanding humanitarian efforts into Gaza. Indonesia announced it will begin airdrops of aid into Gaza as part of a broader international effort that includes 11 countries delivering assistance. The coordination comes as Israel expands military operations in Gaza and seeks to ensure aid reaches civilians under ongoing blockade conditions. In the public arena, political leaders are drawing contrasts over how to handle the hostage crisis and the war’s endgame. Opposition lawmakers are urging the public to participate in Hostage Protests and to apply pressure for a comprehensive settlement. President Isaac Herzog, speaking at a rally in Tel Aviv, emphasized a fundamental truth many in Israel share: every family affected by the war wants the hostages back and safe, and the nation must remain resolute about security while pursuing a path to peace.

Domestically, life continues under a heavy security and political current. In the business world, optimism persists about a revival in economic activity following the regional crisis, with analysts noting improvements in external trade and private consumption. One leading economist projects that the Bank of Israel will likely hold rates steady in the near term, with inflation projected around 2.2 percent for the year and rents continuing to rise. Separately, a major local technology company reported strong quarterly results, continuing a trend of resilience in the Israeli tech sector despite the war environment.

Across the road network, thousands of police and security forces remain deployed at strategic hubs around the country to direct traffic and maintain order. Specific closures and partial restrictions are being enforced in several corridors, including routes near Ben Gurion...