Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-06 at 22:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-06 at 22:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-06 at 22:06

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 HEADLINES- UNRWA Mandate Extended Global Solidarity Grows- Two Major Quakes Rattle Alaska and Greece- Families Demand Clarity on Ran Gvili FateThe time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. This is your five o’clock update on the Middle East and related global developments.The United Nations General Assembly has voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for three years. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini welcomed what he called an overwhelming vote, saying it reflects broad solidarity around the world with Palestinian refugees. The extension comes as international attention remains focused on humanitarian needs and the political complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.In other news, two substantial earthquakes were reported in different theaters. A magnitude seven quake struck near Yakutat, Alaska, while a magnitude six point three six quake struck near Greece. Seismic monitoring agencies described the events as independent, with no immediate reports of widespread casualties, though emergency responders were dispatched to assess any damage and aftershocks.In the West Bank, a targeted operation at the Burj Lasana site near Wadi Haramiya recovered dozens of looted Crusader and Byzantine era artifacts from a villa built inside the site. The operation underscored ongoing concerns about cultural heritage sites amid broader security operations in areas administered by Palestinian authorities.Tensions over Gaza continued to influence political calculations in Israel and internationally. Relatives and colleagues of Ran Gvili, the last known hostage still believed to be held in Gaza, gathered in Jerusalem and Washington to press leaders to halt any advance on a ceasefire deal until his fate is clarified and he is returned. The emotional appeal reflected the stakes of the hostage issue for both the Israeli public and allied governments.Security incidents in the occupied territories also drew attention. A car drove toward a group of soldiers at a Hebron checkpoint, wounding one Israeli soldier; the attackers were killed in the ensuing exchange of fire. The incident followed a pattern of violence that has persisted since the Gaza conflict intensified two years ago, contributing to a sense of instability in parts of the West Bank.Back in Bethlehem, Christmas preparations marked a rare moment of public festivity in the city since the Gaza war began. A Christmas tree on Manger Square was lit for the first time in more than two years, symbolizing resilience for Christians and Muslims alike who have endured disruption and hardship. Pilgrims and locals described the return of the holiday lights as a hopeful sign, even as concerns linger about the broader security situation and the toll of winter conditions on displaced residents.In domestic human rights coverage, the Public Defender’s Office released a detailed audit describing severe hunger and deteriorating conditions among Palestinian inmates held in Israeli jails. The report cites overcrowded facilities, meager food rations, routine beatings by guards, limited access to water, and widespread scabies. It notes that the prison system has faced an unprecedented surge in population since the start of the current conflict, with the overall total reaching more than twenty four thousand inmates, including over eleven thousand security detainees. Rights groups have long warned of deteriorating detention conditions, and the High Court has previously ordered improvements that have not fully taken hold according to the audit.International travel and diplomacy remained in focus as well. Israeli tourists clashed with pro-Palestinian demonstrators at an Italian port, Brindisi, with police intervention required to quell tensions that erupted during a confrontation over the broader Gaza issue. The incident illustrates how the conflict continues to reverberate far from the region, stirring emotions among diaspora communities and travelers alike.In Tunisia, hundreds gathered in the capital to protest government actions, calling for greater freedoms and the release of jailed opposition figures convicted on charges framed as conspiracy against the state. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch cited concerns about the state of civil liberties, in a country that has faced international scrutiny over democratic backsliding in recent years.Turning to the Gaza Strip itself, reporting describes ongoing political regrouping within Hamas as militias and factions seek influence and survival options amid a humanitarian crisis. While some figures suggest potential moves toward a technocratic administration for Gaza, the health ministry in Gaza continues to report thousands of Palestinian deaths since the conflict began, with the ongoing winter season compounding the needs of civilians living in tents and ruined housing. ...
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