Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-11 at 01:20 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-11 at 01:20

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-11 at 01:20

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 HEADLINESUS Condemns Yemen Detention of Embassy StaffHamas Hoarded Baby Formula Amid Gaza HungerCaesar Sanctions Repeal Tied to Security ReformsThe time is now 8:11 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At 8:10 PM, here are the latest developments shaping the Middle East and its politics, with attention to Israeli and Jewish perspectives for an international audience.The United States has condemned the ongoing detention of current and former local staff of the US embassy in Yemen by the Houthis. Washington says the detention raises serious safety and diplomatic concerns as the war in Yemen persists and international efforts to support civilians continue. The incident underscores the fragility of diplomatic work on the ground and the risks faced by local staff serving in conflict zones. US officials have stressed that diplomats and local workers are essential to maintaining channels of communication and humanitarian relief, and they are pursuing all appropriate diplomatic avenues to secure releases and assurances for staff safety.In Gaza, humanitarian and security concerns are intensifying a debate about the conduct of Hamas. A Gazan activist has released footage alleging that Hamas hoarded baby formula and stockpiled resources during the latest hunger crisis, a charge the Israeli Foreign Ministry says highlights how Hamas has exploited civilians’ suffering for political gain. The footage and claims come amid broader questions about civilian hardship in Gaza and the competing narratives about responsibility for its humanitarian crisis. Israel reiterates its position that while civilians bear the brunt, Hamas bears responsibility for withholding aid and endangering civilians through its governance and military actions.Turning to US policy toward Syria, the House of Representatives has moved to repeal the Caesar sanctions, a step that would require accompanying progress in security, minority rights, and neighboring states’ non-aggression, including toward Israel. The measure signals a conditional approach to sanctions relief, tying any easing to measurable improvements on security cooperation, human rights, and regional stability. Supporters argue the move could incentivize progress, while critics warn that lifting pressure without sustained reform could leave gaps in regional deterrence and accountability.In regional diplomacy, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with Bolivian President Paz following the renewal of diplomatic ties, with both sides signaling a focus on security cooperation and increased tourism. The exchange reflects ongoing realignments in South American diplomacy and a shared interest in stability and counterterrorism collaboration, even as broader regional tensions persist.Hamas leadership has continued to articulate its position on political and military strategy. Khaled Mashaal, in an interview with Al Jazeera, asserted that a majority of American youth aged 18 to 21 allegedly support what he called the “resistance,” framing it as youthful defiance. The remarks reflect Hamas’s attempts to mobilize international opinion and sympathetic audiences, though they are contested and reflect one side’s perspective in a deeply polarized debate.Another element shaping the Gaza conversation concerns the future architecture of the peace process. Reports indicate that a venture to unveil a Gaza peace board—the so‑called Board of Peace—is being delayed. President Trump has said he will announce its members early next year, a move framed by supporters as a step toward restoring momentum while critics warn that disarmament of Hamas remains a central prerequisite for broader reconstruction and stabilizing the ceasefire. The board is intended to work in tandem with an International Stabilization Force authorized by a UN Security Council resolution, though questions about which countries would participate and how the force would operate have remained unresolved.In parallel, there are new discussions in Washington about potentially sanctioning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, on terrorism-related grounds. Reuters reports that officials have explored options ranging from designation as a foreign terrorist organization to targeted actions against individuals or entities within UNRWA. The discussions have raised serious humanitarian and legal concerns inside the State Department, given UNRWA’s role in providing schooling, healthcare, and social services to millions of Palestinians across Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. While some US officials have argued that sanctions could pressure Hamas and its affiliates, others caution that a blanket move could disrupt vital relief operations and complicate international aid. UNRWA officials have emphasized the agency’s neutrality and humanitarian mandate, cautioning that disruption could ...
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