Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-25 at 00:05 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-25 at 00:05

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-25 at 00:05

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 HEADLINESIsrael expands 19 West Bank settlementsNetanyahu unveils 350B shekel munitions planSyria nets ISIS leader Taha al ZoubiThe time is now 7:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the international news update for this hour. Israel says it will not be deterred by external criticism of its West Bank settlements, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar insisting that foreign calls to halt settlement expansion are morally wrong and discriminatory against Jews, arguing that Jews have the right to live in the land of Israel. The remarks come as a group of European and other allied governments condemned Israel’s decision to approve 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning that unilateral moves threaten stability and violate international law. The joint statement urged Israel to reverse the decision and to halt the broader expansion of settlements, reflecting a persistent fault line between Israel’s security concerns and international efforts to limit settlement activity.In a separate development, Syria announced the arrest of a high‑ranking ISIS figure, Taha al Zoubi, in Damascus’ Moadamiya district, describing the operation as a joint security effort with an international coalition. Authorities said the raid yielded a suicide belt and military weapons, underscoring ongoing counterterrorism pressures across the region as Syria and its partners seek to degrade ISIS capabilities on multiple fronts.Turning to Israel’s broader security posture, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed a multi‑year plan to build an independent Israeli munitions industry, saying the government would invest 350 billion Israeli shekels, about 108 billion dollars, over the next decade. He framed the initiative as a means to reduce dependence on external suppliers after past restraints placed on arms sales by the United States, Britain and Germany during the Gaza war. Netanyahu noted that several countries, including Germany, have expressed interest in purchasing Israeli systems, while stressing that Israel will preserve its aerial superiority, which he described as a cornerstone of national security. Israel currently operates 45 F‑35 stealth fighters, with 30 more on order, and the debate over relying on foreign suppliers has grown as geopolitical tensions and arms embargo discussions have intensified among Israel’s partners. The prime minister also signaled a determination to prevent rivals from obtaining advanced weaponry, and he implied this drive for self‑reliance would extend beyond the defense ministry’s needs.Across the region, military exchanges and border activity continued to shape the security landscape. In southern Lebanon, the Israeli military reported an airstrike against a Hezbollah target near Jannata in the Tyre district, described as a targeted operation against a Hezbollah operative. In Jordan, the army said it carried out airstrikes near Sweida in response to smuggling networks moving arms and drugs toward Jordan, conducted in coordination with regional partners. These incidents illustrate how small‑scale security actions reverberate across neighboring states amid broader regional tensions.In other strategic movements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is open to creating a demilitarized zone in parts of eastern Ukraine under a US-backed plan that would include international monitoring, security guarantees and a referendum, while Russia has yet to signal a willingness to withdraw. The remark comes as the conflict remains stalemated on the Donbas front, with diplomatic negotiations continuing at varying tempo and intensity.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced strong opposition to the Israel–Greece–Cyprus trilateral summit, denouncing the gathering and reaffirming Ankara’s resolve to defend Turkey’s rights in the Mediterranean. He also signaled continued support for Gaza, even as Turkey broadens its regional diplomacy and remains a vocal critic of Israeli policy, a posture that adds another layer of complexity to regional alignments.In Washington, officials ordered US forces to prioritize the “quarantine” of Venezuelan oil for the next two months, aiming to apply economic pressure as a complementary strand to broader foreign policy efforts. The move signals heightened attention to energy markets and how they intersect with US strategy in the Western Hemisphere.Back in the West Bank, Bethlehem marked a return to full Christmas celebrations for the first time since the Gaza war escalated earlier in the year. Thousands gathered in Manger Square for processions, carols, and a visible display of holiday life, as a US‑brokered ceasefire has kept the region quieter than at the height of the fighting. The festive mood stood in contrast to the enduring humanitarian challenges faced by residents in Gaza and the West Bank, highlighting a precarious pause in a broader cycle of conflict and volatility...
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