Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-07 at 03:05 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-07 at 03:05

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-07 at 03:05

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 HEADLINESUS Drops Russia Threat, Recalibrates StrategyNetanyahu Blair Secret Talk Gaza PA PilotDefense Deficit 3.9% in 2026 BudgetThe time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.A shift in American strategy toward Russia has emerged as Washington revises its national security framework, removing the designation of Russia as a direct threat and signaling a recalibrated approach to Moscow. The Kremlin welcomed the change, with Russian media describing it as an acknowledgment of a more measured relationship between Washington and Moscow, even as lines of tension over security questions remain. The move comes amid broader questions about NATO, arms control, and the evolving balance of power in Europe and beyond.In the Middle East, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office signaled a call to evacuate 14 illegal outposts and remove Jewish extremists from the West Bank, a stance noted in reports by N12. A political source, however, disputed that account, telling reporters that Netanyahu’s meeting focused on a group of youths in trouble who were not part of any settlement activity. The clarification underscores the compartmentalized nature of Israeli policy debates over settlement activity and security in occupied areas, as officials seek to balance internal pressures with wider security considerations.Meanwhile, a secret conversation involving Netanyahu and former British prime minister Tony Blair surfaced, with Blair described as discussing a pilot plan for Palestinian Authority control in portions of Gaza. The discussion points to a potential realignment in governance arrangements for the Strip, a topical thread as Israel weighs security needs against humanitarian considerations and international pressure for Gaza stabilization.Turn to domestic finance, and the 2026 state budget outlines. The defense portion of the budget is set to widen the deficit to about 3.9 percent, with projections that the gap could grow further. In addition, reforms affecting the domestic economy include a milk market adjustment and a package tax exemption increasing to 150 dollars, with expectations that middle-class households will benefit through income tax measures. The package aims to sustain defense and security commitments while addressing domestic economic priorities in a volatile regional environment.On the political stage, Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas announced a shift away from the party’s link to the religious council, signaling the formation of fully civic party mechanisms and independent institutions. The move, described as an effort to bolster legitimacy among Zionist parties, drew a sharp counterpoint from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who labeled Abbas as a wolf in sheep’s clothing and accused him of not condemning Hamas and of pursuing alliances with anti-Zionist factions. The exchange highlights the fragility of Israel’s coalition dynamics and the ongoing contest over how Arab parties engage with the state and security policy.In the Negev and beyond, security operations continue under the banner of a crime-control initiative known as New Order, launched by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Police report ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal weapons networks and curb violence, with more than 200 suspected offenders taken into custody as authorities confront a surging pace of crime. The violence has hit Bedouin towns particularly hard, producing a toll that has raised questions about policing strategies and the balance between security measures and community trust. A shooting in Segev Shalom left a young man critically wounded, drawing attention to the broader pattern of violence and the challenge of protecting civilians while enforcing law and order.Regional voices at Doha added to the discourse, with a senior Saudi diplomat arguing that reform of the Israeli government—from within—would be essential for a durable peace in the region. The diplomat stressed that reform within Israel would be more consequential for peace prospects than reforms elsewhere, a view aligned with Riyadh’s private diplomacy urging Palestinian leadership to advance reforms as well. The commentary comes amid a broader Saudi assessment of regional dynamics, including concerns about governance and stability, and mirrors a shift in how regional players frame prospects for a two-state solution and a sustainable ceasefire.Across these developments, observers note the convergence of security concerns, domestic political recalibration, and regional diplomacy shaping the current moment. The United States continues to weigh its posture toward Russia while partners in the Middle East seek to align reforms, governance, and security policies with broader international expectations for peace and stability. In Israel, the interplay of coalition politics, settlement policy, and security operations against the backdrop of Gaza and the West Bank remains central to the ...
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