HEADLINES
UN to vote on Gaza multinational force
Netanyahu vows crackdown amid West Bank violence
US to approve F-35s for Saudi Arabia

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good afternoon. This is the 4:00 PM update on the changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, with emphasis on Israeli and Jewish perspectives for an international audience.

The United Nations Security Council is slated to meet tonight to vote on the American proposal to establish a multinational security presence in Gaza and to lay out a path toward Palestinian self-definition and statehood. Washington describes the plan as a framework to stabilize Gaza, ensure humanitarian relief, and provide a political track toward enduring arrangements. Israel reviews the proposal with caution, stressing the need for a force that meaningfully constrains Hamas and other militant groups while safeguarding security interests and regional stability. Palestinian and international voices weigh feasibility, duration, and the mandate’s potential impact on ongoing efforts toward a two-state or comparable political framework.

In the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a recent surge of violence, calling out a small, extremist faction for taking the law into their own hands. He pledged to convene cabinet ministers to address the issue and to ensure those behind the attacks are brought to justice. Defence Minister Israel Katz suggested the government will move in coming weeks to approve a landmark funding package aimed at reducing unrest and supporting security operations. Israeli security forces were deployed to the village of Jab’a near Bethlehem after earlier attacks in Sa’ir, while searches continued for those responsible. The episode follows a spike in settler-related incidents noted by international observers, contributing to a broader concern about stability in a territory central to the future of any Palestinian state. The UN and international monitors have recorded a high level of settler violence in October, underscoring long-running tensions in the area.

On a parallel track of regional diplomacy, Saudi Arabia’s outreach and its evolving partnership with the United States are attracting close scrutiny. Analysts describe the Saudi leadership as fundamentally pragmatic and focused on national interests, with the crown prince pursuing a strategic alignment that encompasses security, energy, and modernization. A visit by Saudi leadership has been described as locking in a long-term strategic partnership with the United States, positioning Riyadh as a pivotal axis in a broader regional realignment. Within this context, US policy moves of late—most notably discussions about arms sales and security cooperation—are being watched for how they might shape Israel’s security calculus and the broader peace architecture in the region.

In Washington, President Donald Trump stated that the United States intends to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The reported potential deal, which could involve up to 48 jets, marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics and invites careful consideration of how Washington intends to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge. The announcement comes as US officials prepare to discuss broader security cooperation with Saudi leadership, including possible steps toward normalization with Israel as part of a wider regional framework. Israeli officials have long emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong defense edge in a volatile neighborhood, and analysts say any arms sale to Riyadh will need to be weighed against regional perceptions and the efficacy of a broader security architecture that includes existing and evolving alliances.

Domestically, Israel’s National Insurance Institute projects a long-term deficit that could...