Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-20 at 08:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-20 at 08:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-20 at 08:07

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 HEADLINESTrump-assisted release of US detainee in SaudiUS restricts Saudi F-35 to protect IsraelIsrael readies extended strike against HezbollahThe time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.A US citizen who was imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for tweets criticizing the Saudi government has returned to the United States following intervention from the Trump administration, drawing fresh attention to the balance between free speech and state security, and to the broader US-Saudi relationship. Saad Ibrahim Almadi, a dual citizen, was sentenced to 16 years in 2022 on charges tied to social media posts. The case has complicated discussions about diplomatic leverage, human rights concerns, and the implications for American citizens abroad.Ryanair has removed Tel Aviv from its route map as part of a restructuring that includes canceling its 2025–2026 winter schedule, according to the airline’s site. The move leaves Israel’s air connectivity with Europe uncertain and spotlights broader tensions surrounding civilian travel and business ties in the region. The development comes amid ongoing disputes over Israel’s security and regional dynamics, and it raises questions for travelers and for other carriers seeking to operate routes to Israel.In Israel, femicide remains a grave concern. Over the past year, 32 women from Jewish and Israeli-Arab communities were reported killed in suspected femicide cases, underscoring persistent violence against women and prompting renewed calls for prevention and protection measures across communities.A report on US arms policy notes that the planned sale of F-35 fighters to Saudi Arabia would exclude certain advanced systems that are present on Israel’s jets. American officials say the equipment cut from the Saudi package is intended to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region. The arrangement illustrates how US security commitments and interoperability with Israel shape arms transfers to partners in the Middle East, and it has become a focal point in congressional reviews of defense sales and regional strategy.On the ground in the Lebanese border region, Israeli officials say that only a major military operation can dismantle Hezbollah, as the IDF continues strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas targets despite a year having passed since a ceasefire in Lebanon. Senior Israeli officials describe Lebanon’s military as insufficient to curb Hezbollah’s build-up, and they emphasize that Israel is acting to remove threats at their source. The IDF is preparing for an extended operation that would involve days of fighting to degrade infrastructure and strategic assets, with the understanding that Hezbollah may respond with rockets and drones. The overarching aim is to prevent a resurgent threat along the northern frontier and to reinforce the principle that hostility from groups near Israel’s borders cannot be allowed to rebuild unchecked.Security officials warn of coordinated escalation across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, with Hamas allegedly rebuilding and coordinating with Hezbollah and Iran to challenge the ceasefire across multiple fronts. In Gaza and southern Lebanon, multiple rounds of attacks and counterattacks have been reported, along with ongoing airstrikes and damage to infrastructure. The broader concern is that renewed activity could undermine the prospects for a durable ceasefire and threaten civilian safety in several populations.In Washington, attention remains focused on diplomacy and domestic politics. President Trump has confirmed plans to meet on Friday with Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, in the White House, despite months of political tension between the two figures. The encounter signals a potential moment of outreach amid broader questions about governance, policy priorities, and how national leadership addresses urban concerns and immigration history.Regional diplomacy also features Saudi expectations amid ongoing negotiations over Palestinian statehood. Reports indicate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman privately pressed President Trump to guarantee final-status talks and to establish a Palestinian state within five years, while pushing back on plans to form a Gaza peacekeeping force led by Muslim-majority nations. The approach reflects a balancing act between leveraging diplomacy to stabilize the region and managing broader regional alliances and rivalries.Rights groups have raised alarms about expulsions in the West Bank. Human Rights Watch has accused Israeli forces of expelling thousands of Palestinians in the context of operations in the West Bank, including actions affecting refugee camps and the broader population. Israel disputes the characterization of events and maintains that its security operations are aimed at countering terrorism and safeguarding civilians. The case underscores the international scrutiny surrounding security measures in the ...
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