Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-12 at 01:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-12 at 01:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-12 at 01:08

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 HEADLINESIsraelis oppose Netanyahu pardon amid security fearsUS lawmakers push for independent Lebanon inquiryUS to cover Gaza rubble clearing costsThe time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. We begin with a consolidated update on the most consequential developments shaping Israeli security and regional dynamics, alongside related US policy signals and international responses.In Israel, public opinion appears to be turning on two parallel fronts. A recent poll shows the majority of Israelis oppose granting Prime Minister Netanyahu a pardon and view the government as fairly corrupt. The survey also indicates a strong expectation of renewed military confrontation in the near term, with Hezbollah identified as the most likely immediate flashpoint, followed by Iran. The findings underscore highly polarized domestic debate at a moment when security challenges remain acute and political developments abroad are likely to intersect with domestic considerations ahead of elections.Turning to accountability for actions in conflicts, four US lawmakers voiced concerns that Israel has not pursued a serious investigation into the October 2023 strike on journalists in Lebanon that killed Reuters photographer Issam Abdallah and wounded colleagues. They publicly questioned the transparency and conclusiveness of Israel’s inquiry, noting inconsistent messaging from Israeli authorities over the status of the investigation. The Israeli military says the event is still under examination, while some lawmakers and press groups have pressed for more thorough accountability and independent oversight. The exchange highlights long-standing threads in US–Israel security accountability discussions and the broader international emphasis on press safety in conflict zones.On the hostage front, Israel has received leads about the burial site for the remains of St.-Sergeant-Major Ran Gvili, a development that Israeli officials say could influence the tempo of ceasefire talks. Authorities have indicated that progress on any ceasefire framework may be linked to securing a dignified burial process for Gvili, underscoring how humanitarian and military timelines are intertwined in the negotiations over hostages and remains.In parallel, the United States has pressed Israel to cover the costs of a major Gaza rubble-clearing operation as a condition linked to broader peace efforts. Reports estimate the debris in Gaza to be in the tens of millions of tons, with estimates of the reconstruction bill running into the billions of dollars. Washington says it intends to outline phase two of its Gaza peace plan “at the appropriate time,” even as a number of logistical and political hurdles remain, including questions of who participates in any international stabilization effort and how to address Hamas’ disarmament.Economic and diplomatic moves also figure prominently. Netanyahu is reported to be planning a Cairo visit aimed at formalizing a multibillion-dollar natural gas export deal with Egypt, a project described as long-term and worth about thirty-five billion dollars. The timing is sensitive: officials in Jerusalem and Washington are trying to balance the economic benefits of closer regional energy integration with concerns about Israel’s own domestic energy security and reservoir constraints. Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi would host the talks, which are viewed by some as a historic step in strengthening regional energy ties, while others caution about the complexity of export commitments and domestic energy security. Israel’s energy ministry has signaled caution, emphasizing the need to safeguard Israel’s reserves and ensure the deal does not compromise security interests or future resource planning.On the diplomatic front, Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Turkey and Syria, is slated to visit Israel for talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials. The discussions are expected to touch on broader regional alignments, including potential discussions about Turkish involvement in Gaza and how this would fit with Israel’s security posture and ongoing missions there. White House spokespeople have signaled that announcements related to phase two of the Gaza peace framework will come when conditions allow, with the United States aiming to maintain momentum while navigating competing regional interests and domestic responses.US domestic signals also intersect with the Middle East in a broader policy context. President Trump has announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at creating a national standard for artificial intelligence, seeking to preempt state-level regulations in the technology sphere. Separately, Trump has reiterated promises of land strikes against drug shipments moving through Venezuela, reflecting a broader posture in US foreign and security policy that remains influential in global discussions about regional security and ...
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