Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-20 at 20:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-20 at 20:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-20 at 20:07

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 HEADLINESGaza Peace Council to govern postwarIran missiles rebuild nuclear program persistsLebanon advances Hezbollah disarmament south Litani RiverThe time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At 3:00 PM, a set of interlinked regional initiatives and security assessments are shaping the outlook across Gaza, Iran’s deterrent posture, and the broader Middle East security environment.In Washington, a coordinated effort is moving forward to shape Gaza’s next phase. US officials say representatives from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey met on Friday to discuss the next steps in the Gaza plan. The discussions emphasized the swift establishment and activation of a Gaza Peace Council as a transitional administration to address civilian needs, security arrangements, and reconstruction. Participants reviewed the phased implementation of the comprehensive peace framework for Gaza, underscoring the importance of timing, coordination with local Palestinian institutions, and monitoring alongside international partners. The participants also called on all sides to uphold commitments, exercise restraint, and cooperate with a ceasefire monitoring mechanism. Further consultations are planned in the coming weeks to advance the second phase.A parallel thread in the Gaza process centers on a security and stabilization role for the international community. The plan’s second phase envisions continued Israeli military withdrawals from additional Gaza locations, and the potential entry of an international stabilization force. Turkish officials have indicated Ankara intends to participate in the stabilization effort, even as Israeli authorities have expressed concerns about deploying Turkish troops in the Strip. The Turkish stance reflects a broader effort among regional and external actors to shape Gaza’s post-conflict governance and security architecture.In parallel, a separate set of analyses focuses on Iran’s strategy after the recent rounds of conflict. Observers say Iran is rebuilding its missile array, restoring some nuclear-related capabilities, and remains resistant to agreements that would constrain enrichment or limit its nuclear program. The six-month mark since the most recent clashes has allowed officials to assess the operation’s outcomes. Israeli and US officials describe notable tactical gains in targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, while also noting that Iran did not concede strategic loss and continues to plan for future confrontation. Analysts caution that while the nuclear program has suffered, Iran’s overall security posture—especially its missile capabilities and air defense—remains a central concern for Israel and its allies. The broader conclusion is that Iran’s leadership has shown resilience, complicating straightforward calculations about the feasibility and timing of a future conflict.Against this backdrop, Washington and Jerusalem are evaluating potential contingency options. NBC News reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could present a set of Iran attack scenarios to President Donald Trump during an upcoming visit. The reporting emphasizes concerns that Iran, even after extensive battlefield damage, seeks to reconstitute its missile program and bolster defenses, potentially reaching a rate of thousands of missiles per month if not slowed. Officials quoted in the briefing describe the nuclear program as a significant, albeit not immediate, threat, while missiles are viewed as a more pressing, immediate challenge. The delineation of options reportedly includes a spectrum from unilateral Israeli action to greater US-led coordination, reflecting enduring worries about Iran’s capacity to deter or blunt Israeli moves against its proxies and facilities.In other developments, the conflict environment remains volatile on the ground. In Syria, the Israeli Defense Forces announced the detention of a suspected Islamic State operative in the southern part of the country, conducted in a village within the UN-patrolled buffer zone near the Golan Heights. The operation occurred after US and Jordanian forces conducted airstrikes in Syria in response to a December attack that killed American personnel. US Central Command said the strikes targeted more than 70 Islamic State locations across central Syria using air power and precision munitions, with Syrian monitors confirming the strikes killed several terrorists and disrupted operational capabilities. Jordan acknowledged its air force participated in the broader campaign. Separately, Syria’s government asserted its commitment to combat IS and deny it safe haven inside the country, a stance reflected in continued claims of military efforts against IS cells.In Lebanon, government leaders reported progress toward Hezbollah disarmament south of the Litani River as part of the US-backed ceasefire framework that ended extended hostilities in the ...
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