Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-24 at 22:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-24 at 22:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-24 at 22:07

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESJordan Strikes Smuggling Hubs on Syria BorderTurkey Rejects Gaza Meeting, Demands Maritime RightsUS Sets Venezuelan Oil Quarantine Two MonthsThe time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 5:00 PM global update on the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and related developments, with a focus on Israel’s security posture, regional diplomacy, and US policy stances.Jordanian forces conducted airstrikes near Sweida, Syria, after intercepting smuggling operations along the border. Officials said the strikes targeted smuggling facilities used to move arms and drugs toward Jordan, carried out in coordination with regional partners. The move underscores Jordan’s emphasis on securing its northern and eastern borders amid a complex set of cross-border trafficking networks and unsettled spillover from the broader regional conflict. Jordanian authorities described the operation as a step to disrupt illicit supply lines that could threaten security inside Jordan and along its frontier.In the Mediterranean, Turkish President Erdogan denounced a trilateral meeting among Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, signaling Ankara’s continuing emphasis on its own regional red lines and energy rights. Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Gaza while insisting that Turkish interests in the region—including maritime rights and a role in any multilateral approach to Gaza and postwar governance—must be safeguarded. The Turkish position reflects Ankara’s broader objective of shaping regional security arrangements and maintaining influence in discussions about Gaza’s future, even as it seeks to align with or push back against other international efforts.The White House announced a two-month focus on quarantining Venezuelan oil to apply economic pressure, rather than deploying military action. The shift signals a renewed emphasis on economic tools to constrain adversaries and influence policy outcomes, including in the broader Western Hemisphere and energy markets. The move comes as Washington seeks to leverage energy dynamics amid continued geopolitical tension and domestic political considerations.On the battlefield and in diplomacy, Israel remains engaged on multiple fronts. In Lebanon, the Israeli military confirmed airstrikes targeting Hezbollah-linked assets in the Jenata area of southern Lebanon, a day after reports of a strike on a vehicle associated with Hezbollah. The Israeli defense establishment described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to deter Hezbollah’s activity near Israel’s northern border. In the wake of past confrontations, Israeli authorities have stressed the need to prevent Hezbollah’s rearmament and to maintain strategic advantage along the border, while Lebanon’s security forces and allied groups monitor developments.Israel is also confronting a complex regional dynamic ahead of diplomacy in Washington. A number of reports highlight Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey engaging in discussions with Washington on Gaza ceasefire terms and postwar governance, including potential mechanisms for a phased implementation and the dismantling of militant infrastructure. In parallel, a political effort in Israel seeks to advance accountability for the October 7 attacks, with a legislative proposal that would categorize the October 7 assault as genocide and war crimes, detailing charges and possible sentences. The measure, advanced by lawmakers aligned with the government, aims to set a framework for future trials and reinforce Israel’s legal and moral framing of the conflict.Diplomatic activity in Washington reflects a convergence of security concerns and regional diplomacy. US officials are coordinating with regional partners to outline steps for Phase Two of a broader strategy to stabilize Gaza and support conditions for post-conflict governance. The Miami summit, drawing together leaders from the region and beyond, is expected to address Tehran’s nuclear reconstruction efforts, the transition to Phase II in Gaza, and timelines for Hezbollah-related dismantling initiatives. The talks reflect an effort to align regional actors around a shared set of objectives, including security assurances for Israel, humanitarian considerations for Gaza, and the stabilization of neighboring states affected by the conflict.Iranian policy developments also command attention. Tehran unveiled a 2026 budget proposal with a substantial footprint, including funds sourced from a government bond sale and the reform of subsidy policies on currency exchange. The plan envisions a multi-year effort to manage inflation and sustain domestic priorities, with officials noting that the budget remains sizable despite regional tensions. Israel and its allies monitor Iran’s budget choices closely, given potential implications for Iran’s ability to finance regional proxies and sustain its nuclear-related activities. In a related note, Iranian state ...
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.