Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-30 at 23:09 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-30 at 23:09

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-30 at 23:09

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 HEADLINESIran vows cross-front war against IsraelIsrael forms Division 96 for border defenseUS strikes ISIS sites near DamascusThe time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the hourly news update. In the Middle East, Israel is balancing ongoing security demands with the broader regional challenge posed by Iran and its allied networks, as a war in Gaza continues to shape military, political, and diplomatic calculations across the region. Observers say Tehran remains intent on rebuilding and expanding its missile capability, advancing long-range programs, and reinforcing Lebanese Hezbollah and other partners, even as analysts note internal security discussions in Tehran favor a more expansive, multi-front approach against Israel. A prominent Iranian security analyst published remarks calling for a coordinated, large-scale operation across Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran, describing it as a “war of survival” for the regime and signaling a willingness to pursue broad resistance against Israel. While such open rhetoric does not determine immediate action, it underscores the severity with which the Iranian leadership views the Israeli threat and the potential for escalation if deterrence fails or misreads occur.In Israel, defenses are being strengthened for potential multi-front pressure. The army has completed the establishment of Division 96, designed to prevent infiltrations from the Jordanian border by Palestinians, Iraqi militias, and Houthis, and it will operate across a corridor from the northern Gulf of Ein Gev to Masada. Officials emphasize that construction of border barriers and related security measures must move rapidly to deter any incursion, while intelligence and readiness remain at a high level in light of regional dynamics. At the same time, Israel is closely watching signals from Tehran and from allied groups, including efforts by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to consolidate presence in Syria and elsewhere, and indications that the Houthis may seek to extend operations toward Israel through multiple routes.US policy and statements continue to influence the security conversation. Washington has described a robust, continuing commitment to counterterrorism efforts and regional stability, while also signaling support for key partners in the region. In a separate development, United States Central Command, working with the Syrian Interior Ministry, described operations between November 24 and 27 that destroyed more than 15 Islamic State sites in the Rif Damascus area. The operation involved airstrikes and ground dismantling efforts that reportedly eliminated scores of weapons, ammunition, and other equipment, reflecting ongoing efforts to disrupt jihadist capabilities in the region. In a related context, discussions at the highest levels in Washington and in Jerusalem have highlighted the importance of maintaining credible deterrence and sustaining alliance structures as threats evolve.Domestically in Israel, the defense establishment is confronting a manpower challenge that could affect long-term readiness. Internal surveys show a shrinking share of career officers and non-commissioned officers willing to remain in the army, with officer retention down from 83 percent in 2018 to about 63 percent this year, and non-commissioned officer retention down from 58 percent in 2018 to around 37 percent. Officials warn that the army will increasingly promote younger officers to fill gaps, with a goal of staffing key ranks in the coming years. The pressures are compounded by burnout from extended combat operations, perceptions of service conditions, and disputes over leadership and policy decisions within the force. The army says it urgently needs thousands of new recruits to sustain standing and reserve forces, a demand that intersects with domestic debates over conscription policy and exemptions for ultra-Orthodox communities. A draft bill advancing in parliament seeks to adjust exemptions and conditions for ultra-Orthodox students in yeshivas, a move that has drawn criticism from coalition critics and legal advisers and deepened concerns about future manpower.On the political front, Israel’s prime minister has requested a presidential pardon in his long-running corruption case, a move that has sparked intense debate within the country. Supporters say a timely resolution could help unify the nation during a period of regional strain, while critics warn that pardoning a sitting prime minister before a verdict could undermine the rule of law and institute a troubling precedent. The presidency has described the request as extraordinary and with significant implications, and avenues remain for legal review and public debate. The prime minister has argued that resolving the matter would allow the country to focus on regional challenges and domestic priorities, including security and economic pressures created by the Gaza ...
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