Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-18 at 10:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-18 at 10:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-18 at 10:06

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 HEADLINES- Israel Mobilizes 60,000 Reservists, Eyes 2026- UN Backs Trump Gaza Plan, Stabilization Force- Rabbinical Court Scandal Extortion Bribery FraudThe time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This hour’s update surveys a wide range of security, political, and diplomatic developments in Israel, the surrounding region, and fora beyond, as the Middle East enters another phase of heightened attention from capitals and international institutions.Israel’s security posture is being recalibrated for the coming period. Officials have outlined a plan that would keep roughly 60,000 reservists on duty at all times beginning in 2026, citing budget and manpower pressures as the driver for a sustained high level of readiness. Standard reservist call-ups are set to resume in January, with service capped at two and a half months per soldier, even as manpower gaps persist. Israeli planners say the intensified stance is aimed at preventing a broader security vacuum and ensuring continuity of operations in Gaza and along the northern and west bank fronts.In domestic policy and governance, three senior figures in the rabbinical court system are being probed on multiple charges including extortion, bribery, and fraud. The investigation, conducted with law enforcement and prosecutors, centers on whether officials used their authority to press a colleague to advance personal interests, highlighting ongoing concerns about integrity and stewardship within religious courts. The case underscores the broader challenge of maintaining public trust in institutions that operate at the intersection of religion and state.Meanwhile, a High Court hearing has opened over the appointment of the head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service. Petitions argue that the candidate’s lack of agency experience and questions about vetting could compromise the service’s independence. The outcome is likely to influence debates about the balance between security expertise and bureaucratic experience in leadership posts within the security establishment.Diplomacy and international engagement remain central. A United Nations Security Council resolution endorsing a plan advanced by President Trump for Gaza passed with broad support, including a mandate to establish an International Stabilization Force to help demilitarize and govern Gaza and to oversee a transition toward redevelopment. The resolution’s language stops short of declaring a Palestinian state but calls for a pathway to self-determination and statehood once conditions are right. Russia and China abstained, while regional and Western partners welcomed the vote as a foundation for a new phase in Gaza’s management, contingent on credible reforms and secure governance.In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu issued statements praising President Trump and lauding the international support that culminated in the UN vote. He credited the courage of Israeli soldiers and American diplomatic pressure for the return of hostages and expressed readiness to move ahead with disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza as part of a broader peace plan, while also urging neighbors to normalize relations and distance themselves from Hamas. The statements reflect a dual emphasis on security consolidation and regional diplomacy as a path to stability.On the strategic front, US-Saudi discussions are progressing with a focus on a broad security and economic framework. Reports describe expected deals spanning technology, manufacturing, and defense, and indicate an invitation to discuss security guarantees and potential steps toward broader normalization with Israel. The Trump administration has signaled a desire to see Riyadh participate in the Abraham Accords, contingent on clear progress toward Palestinian state considerations. Analysts caution that the pace of normalization will hinge on conditions on the ground, including the Palestinian track.The Palestinian track continues to shape regional discourse. A study highlighted antisemitic content in some Palestinian Authority official media, underscoring that antisemitic tropes persist in parts of the public debate surrounding the conflict. At the same time, statements from Palestinian and other regional actors emphasize the need for ceasefires and the stabilization of the Gaza border, alongside calls for reforms that could enable future political arrangements.In broader regional events, a notable airstrike targeted a vehicle in the town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah flags visible at the scene in early reporting. The strike, attributed to Israeli forces, follows a pattern of cross-border activity that Israel has cited as a primary element of its security concerns along the northern front. The incident illustrates the volatility in border regions and the fragile equilibrium that the region seeks to preserve.There were additional procedural and security developments ...
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