HEADLINES
Iran-Saudi diplomacy deepens ahead of US visit
Arms sale to Saudi stirs regional balance
Netanyahu vows response to West Bank violence

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

Good evening. Here is the latest hourly update on developments in the Middle East and related US policy, with context to help you understand the significance of today’s events.

Diplomacy and regional security movements

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received a letter from the president of Iran through an intermediary, according to the Saudi state news agency. The communication comes as bin Salman prepares for a visit to the United States, underscoring ongoing channels of diplomacy between Riyadh and Tehran even as regional tensions persist. The timing suggests a broader effort to shape a security and diplomatic landscape ahead of high-level talks in Washington, where the United States is balancing its ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states with its broader aim of stabilizing the region.

In Washington, President Donald Trump confirmed a plan to sell stealth-capable F thirty-five fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, noting that the sale would proceed ahead of Crown Prince bin Salman’s visit. Officials say a sale of this scale could alter the military balance in the region and influence discussions about security guarantees for Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has long linked arms sales and security assurances to progress on a Palestinian state, a condition that has complicated past efforts to align more closely with Israel under broader regional normalization. The sale faces scrutiny in the US Congress, where lawmakers have pressed concerns about human rights and the transfer of sensitive technology.

Israeli leadership and West Bank security

In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a firm response to recent waves of violence linked to Jewish extremists in the occupied West Bank. Israeli security forces carried out operations to clear an illegal settler outpost in the Gush Etzion area and to address clashes in nearby communities. Netanyahu’s rhetoric highlighted a determination to prosecute those who resort to violence and to prevent further destabilization, while security services maintain that their actions are aimed at maintaining order and protecting civilians on both sides.

The violence in the West Bank has drawn international attention. UN coordinators and human rights observers have noted elevated levels of settler activity, with the United Nations recording October as a particularly volatile month. Palestinian and international partners have urged restraint and accountability on both sides as the security situation remains fragile. Israeli officials have reiterated that while security operations will continue, they view the West Bank as a strategic priority requiring a measured, law-based response.

Legal and human rights dimensions

Israel has filed an appeal with the International Criminal Court, seeking to bar the court’s prosecutor from involvement in ongoing cases against Israeli leaders and to revoke arrest warrants associated with those cases. The appeal follows an investigation into the prosecutor’s actions and a leave of absence while sexual misconduct allegations are examined by the tribunal. Israeli authorities have argued that ongoing proceedings at the court have been compromised by concerns about impartiality. The case adds a legal dimension to Israel’s effort to manage international legal scrutiny as it continues to defend its military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

Separately, rights organizations and medical professionals have highlighted humanitarian and legal concerns related to detentions in Israel. A coalition led by Physicians for Human Rights Israel says a substantial number of...