Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-24 at 11:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-24 at 11:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-24 at 11:08

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINES- Netanyahu on witness stand in bribery probe- IDF drills after Hezbollah chief killed- EU pledges €80m to Palestinian Authority reformsThe time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good morning. Here is the latest hourly briefing on developments across Israel, the broader Middle East, and related international responses.In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on the witness stand in a bribery investigation connected to Bezeq. He has indicated that coverage requests surrounding the case were inconsequential, as prosecutors and investigators continue to pursue questions centered on potential ties between political figures and business interests. The courtroom proceedings unfold as security concerns at home and abroad remain a constant backdrop to the political process.On the security front, the Israel Defense Forces have launched surprise drills in northern Israel after the killing of Hezbollah’s military chief in Beirut. The IDF has elevated its alert level along the Lebanon border and bolstered air defense readiness in the north amid concerns that Hezbollah could exploit winter weather and reduced visibility to stage or conceal actions. The strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah’s top operative has drawn sharp condemnations from Iran and triggered warnings from Hezbollah about potential retaliation. The Israeli military says the drill is pre-planned and aimed at testing readiness across a range of scenarios, including rapid mobilization and decision-making, with local terrain and border realities highlighted for the units involved.In parallel, Israeli officials have stressed their expectation that Lebanon adhere to its ceasefire commitments and disarm Hezbollah, a stance that reflects the broader regional effort to prevent a broader escalation on multiple fronts. The security environment remains tense, but no immediate civilian guidance changes have been announced beyond the heightened alert status in the border region. The northern theater has seen heightened air defense activity and routine warnings about possible explosions or increased military activity during the exercise period.In other government and security-related developments, Israel continues to monitor and assess potential repercussions from regional actors in the wake of high-profile military moves. The broader regional dynamic includes ongoing calculations about the balance of deterrence and restraint, even as Israel maintains the right to respond to threats under existing ceasefire terms and regional understandings.Looking beyond immediate security, the Israeli political scene continues to intersect with policy questions on governance and security assistance. The government is watching coalition dynamics closely as it considers formal steps related to political groups that challenge the state's framework, including debates in the Arab political sphere about legality and potential disqualification or limitations. This follows political discourse around how to address organizations linked, in some cases, to broader regional movements, and how such actions would affect domestic political representation and voting rights ahead of future elections. The government has emphasized a commitment to maintaining security while navigating complex legal and political constraints.In regional diplomacy, Germany’s leadership announced a planned visit by Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Israel in early January, described by Israeli officials as a signal of continued European engagement in the wake of the wars’ latest phase. The trip is framed as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement with Europe in the aftermath of the conflict’s ebbs and flows, including discussions about regional stability, security cooperation, and economic ties. Officials say the visit reflects the diplomatic openings and the perceived effects of the conflict’s trajectory on regional alliances.On the humanitarian and community front, freed Israeli hostages who have been held in Gaza have visited the Rebbe’s Ohel, emphasizing ongoing appeals for the return of those still detained. The longstanding practice at the Ohel remains a focal point for many families and communities seeking accountability and release, underscoring the human dimension of the conflict that drives public sentiment and advocacy across the community.In Europe and beyond, international authorities continue to monitor security incidents that affect travel and transport. Lithuania reopened Vilnius airport after a period of disruption related to balloon incursions and drone sightings that have repeatedly unsettled European aviation since early autumn. The broader pattern of incident reports underscores ongoing vigilance in the region’s airspace security environment.In the realm of international finance and policy, the European Union pledged an additional €80 million (about $92 million) to support the Palestinian Authority. The ...
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.