Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-26 at 13:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-26 at 13:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-26 at 13:07

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 HEADLINESIsrael targets Gaza tunnels in renewed strikesSaudi F-35 sale tests US-Israel tiesLebanon Cyprus ink energy boundary pactThe time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At eight o’clock this morning, here is the latest briefing on the evolving Middle East landscape, with emphasis on Israeli security concerns and the wider Jewish world, and how US policy considerations intersect with events on the ground.Security and diplomacy in the region are currently shaped by a mix of strategic tensions, regional diplomacy, and domestic debates inside Israel. In Washington, a debate continues over whether a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia would advance long-term regional stability or risk widening US-Israel strategic fault lines. An influential former IDF intelligence chief recently described such a sale as signaling grave danger to the durability of the US-Israel security relationship, arguing that it could alter the balance of deterrence in the region. The broader American policy stance remains rooted in defense cooperation and deterrence, but expectations about how allied partners will be treated and integrated into security architectures are under close discussion in both capitals.In the Gaza-Sinai theater, Israeli forces have continued counterterrorism operations in the aftermath of intensified fighting with Hamas and allied groups. Reports indicate that in recent days Israeli units targeted underground tunnels and associated militants in the Rafah area, with several militants killed and others detained as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the subterranean network that Hamas has used to carry out attacks. Parallel to this, a separate account from the northern Gaza corridor notes that a number of Hamas militants attempting to break out from tunnel systems were eliminated in precision strikes, underscoring the persistent toll of the battle inside and around Rafah. The Israeli military reiterates its objective of removing immediate threats to civilians and soldiers while sustaining a high tempo of operations designed to degrade the militant infrastructure.In the West Bank, a new counter-terrorism operation in Tubas has been reported, with Israeli forces advancing into the city and surrounding neighborhoods. Local authorities describe a prolonged engagement that includes arrests and the occupation of some staging areas as part of broader efforts to curb militant activity in the area. The move follows a pattern of intensified Israeli security activity in the northern West Bank, where clashes and raids have become more frequent as authorities pursue militants and dismantle cells in a region where friction between Israeli forces and Palestinian communities remains high. Palestinian authorities and Hamas have condemned the operation, while security officials say such measures are necessary to prevent attacks against Israeli civilians and security personnel.Lebanon and Cyprus announced a maritime boundary agreement that could unlock future energy exploration and cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean. The deal delineates sea zones that could open the door to hydrocarbon projects and joint ventures, signaling a step toward greater regional energy collaboration. The agreement aligns with a broader pattern of maritime diplomacy in the region, building on earlier arrangements between Lebanon and Israel and setting the stage for potential synergies with neighboring countries. While the accord marks a diplomatic milestone, Syria remains outside this particular boundary delineation, leaving that state’s own maritime questions unresolved. In the Lebanese and Cypriot capitals, officials framed the pact as a historical milestone that could spur investment and regional stability, even as questions linger about how quickly, and under what terms, exploration would proceed.Israel’s domestic security and political environment continues to wrestle with the question of military service for ultra-Orthodox communities. Lawmakers have signaled readiness to renew hearings on legislation designed to extend exemptions for full-time yeshiva students, a policy long contested after a high court ruling curtailed blanket exemptions. The defense establishment has underscored the urgency of enlisting more personnel, noting that tens of thousands of eligible Haredi men have not yet served and that recruitment needs are acute in light of ongoing operations in Gaza and other security challenges. The public debate reflects enduring tensions between civil-military obligations, religious autonomy, and the demands of national security in a country at war-time footing.On the human front, a string of stories from the Jewish world and beyond sheds light on the personal toll of conflict and the fragility of public life in times of tension. A number of reporting outlets have highlighted the experiences of hostages and survivors from Hamas captivity, including ...
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