HEADLINES
Israel hunts settlers after West Bank riot
US weighs Gaza demilitarization with multinational force
MBS Washington visit cements strategic US alliance

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Security and diplomacy are shaping the news from Israel, the West Bank, and the broader region this hour. In the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Monday’s violence by a small group of Jewish settlers and said those responsible must face the full force of the law. The government moved to tighten security as the Israel Defense Forces launched a manhunt for the settlers involved in the rioting, with officials stressing that the state will not permit vigilante violence to go unchecked. Israeli authorities also emphasized that maintaining civilian safety and public order in the area remains a central objective for security forces operating in the field.

In Washington, the United States is weighing Gaza policy as it seeks a way to reduce risk while addressing Hamas’s role. Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel will not accept any framework that leaves Hamas weaponized. US officials have discussed a phased approach that would demilitarize Gaza and place the territory under an apolitical administration, with the possibility of a path to Palestinian self-determination only if conditions are met. A key element of the discussion involves a multinational security framework that could include an International Stabilization Force to oversee Gaza during a transition. Israeli officials have signaled skepticism about terms that appear to leave Hamas disarmed in name but armed in practice, highlighting the complexity of any plan that touches on future sovereignty and security guarantees.

Regional diplomacy remains in focus as well. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington is being described by analysts as cementing a long-term strategic partnership with the United States. Bernard Haykal, a professor of Middle East studies, described the crown prince as fundamentally pragmatic, a nationalist who will act in what he sees as his country’s best interests. The posture signals a shared interest in regional stability and in shaping security and energy collaborations that could influence Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy and broader regional alignments.

Domestically, Israel’s political and security establishment continue to address aliyah and settlement dynamics. A Knesset committee discussed aliyah issues in the context of an anticipated postwar immigration surge, with officials noting that immigration has remained steady despite the current tensions and conflict. Meanwhile, the security picture remains under strain as the IDF and security agencies implement measures to deter violence and protect communities in Judea and Samaria, including continued operations against extremist elements.

On the security front, Israeli officials highlighted efforts to curb weapon and drone smuggling. The IDF reported a campaign that reduced drone weapons smuggling from Egypt, with authorities stopping a substantial number of drones in a single month. The crackdown reflects ongoing concerns about illicit arms networks that could escalate violence in the region.

In other regional security developments, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a tanker in the Gulf, with authorities reporting that the crew of 21 remain safe and accounted for. The Talara, Marshall Islands-flagged and carrying high-sulfur fuel oil, was diverted into Iranian waters, underscoring the ongoing volatility of Gulf shipping routes and the potential implications for global energy markets.

Inside the camp of Israeli politics, far-right voices sharpened their rhetoric on Palestinian statehood in the run-up to international votes. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and...