Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-24 at 21:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-24 at 21:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-24 at 21:06

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 HEADLINESJordan strikes near Sweida after intercepting smugglingFourteen nations condemn 19 West Bank settlementsWhite House enacts two-month Venezuelan oil quarantineThe time is now 4:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. At four o’clock this afternoon, Jordan announced airstrikes near Sweida in southern Syria, carried out after Jordanian forces intercept smuggling operations involving arms and drugs and in coordination with regional partners. The strikes targeted facilities used to move contraband into Jordan, a reminder of the broader security concerns along the Jordanian-Syrian border.In the larger regional posture, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the Israel-Greece-Cyprus trilateral meeting, stating Ankara will not permit violations of its rights in the Mediterranean while reaffirming support for Gaza. The exchange signals ongoing realignments as states weigh national security interests, energy routes, and humanitarian concerns in the region.Across the Atlantic, the White House has ordered American forces to prioritize a “quarantine” of Venezuelan oil for the next two months, a strategy aimed at applying economic pressure rather than expanding military action. The move reflects a broader effort to constrain Venezuela’s oil revenue while seeking to avoid renewed regional conflict.From Jerusalem and beyond, the Middle East continues to intersect with domestic and international forums. In Israel, President Isaac Herzog met with Christian communities in Jerusalem ahead of Christmas, describing faith communities as integral to the nation and reaffirming commitment to freedom of worship for all. The visit underscores Israel’s ongoing emphasis on diverse religious rights amid a busy diplomatic landscape.Turning to the Israeli-Palestinian arena, fourteen countries condemned Israel’s approval of nineteen new settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning that unilateral steps could derail a fragile Gaza ceasefire and violate international law. The diplomatic broadside echoed UN concerns about settlement expansion, even as Israel maintains that security and the preservation of any future two-state framework require careful planning on the ground. In the same context, the United Nations has noted a rise in settlement activity since 2017, with a substantial increase reported this year. Israel says its authorities view the West Bank as a complicated security landscape, while many international partners urge restraint and a path to a negotiated end to the conflict.On the domestic front in Israel, a highly publicized debate over ultra-Orthodox conscription has intensified. Community leaders, rabbis, and young men gathered to discuss the impact of exemption policies on national defense, with speakers arguing both that religious study remains essential to the community and that shared civic responsibility must be weighed against religious commitments. Observers note that a substantial portion of Haredi recruits are serving in non-Haredi tracks, a trend researchers say reflects broader shifts within the community rather than a decline in religious observance. The debate continues to shape political alignments at home as Israel faces a demanding security environment in Gaza and along its borders.In the Gaza arena and the broader region, Israel’s security posture remains focused on preventing threats from across multiple fronts. Reports indicate that Israel’s leadership and security apparatus have prioritized preparedness in the wake of intensified regional pressure, including discussions at cabinet level about potential operational options in relation to Iran. An account from a recent cabinet meeting describes the atmosphere as highly charged, with decisive steps taken to ensure the safety of security personnel and the population. As these deliberations unfold, analysts emphasize the importance of calibrated responses that deter aggression while avoiding unnecessary escalation.Violence and tensions also persist in the West Bank. An arson attack in al-Mazraa al-Sharqiya, near Ramallah, attributed to settler extremists, left a home damaged and graffiti associated with extremist themes visible on the scene. Municipal authorities accuse Israel of enabling organized violence as a means to displace Palestinians, while officials warn that such incidents threaten the prospects for stability in a fragile region. Security officials say settler violence remains a rising concern, with hundreds of incidents recorded over the course of the year as the broader conflict continues to unfold.In regional water and resources news, Iran’s government reported rare rainfall amid a multiyear drought, but warned that reservoirs remain low and provinces across the country face water shortages. Iranian officials also noted social and political tensions tied to water management, while Tehran’s media mocked comments from Israeli leaders on water issues...
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