Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-27 at 10:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-27 at 10:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-27 at 10:06

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESIran executes record high 1870 this yearIsrael recognizes Somaliland drawing mixed reactionsIsrael faces escalating border attacks and dronesThe time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At 5:00 AM, this is the latest from the region and beyond. Iran’s justice system is drawing international attention as new figures show a multi-decade high in executions this year. Reports indicate at least 1,870 executions were recorded in Iran this year, roughly double the level of the previous year, with more than 490 executions carried out in November alone, a pace that researchers say mirrors the total number of executions Iran carried out in 2021. The figures illustrate a harsh and persistent use of the death penalty within an already tense domestic landscape, with international rights groups urging greater scrutiny of due process and transparency.In Israel, security matters at the border and inside the country remain in focus. A controlled explosion was heard in the Gaza envelope near Yad Mordechai after a head of a homemade munition reportedly produced by Hamas was found in an open area. Bomb disposal teams handled the object and defused it, with authorities suggesting the item was old. In the Negev, at Kibbutz Mashar Hamngev, masked individuals are said to have attacked, cutting the fence, burning vehicles, and smashing windows. Police officials described the incident as a potential price-tag act and linked it to recent arrests in the adjacent Bedouin village of Ta’arabin. The police and security forces are continuing their operations in the area as investigations proceed and searches for suspects expand.On the ground in the Bedouin community, a large police sweep took place in Ta’arabin under a joint initiative described as a new security operation. Dozens of officers and Border Police units moved through the village, resulting in multiple arrests. Five suspects were detained during the operation; one officer sustained a minor injury and received treatment on site. Officials say the broader campaign targets suspected criminal activity and the use of stolen military equipment, with further actions anticipated as investigators pursue additional leads. In the wake of the raid, authorities say two suspects from the village reportedly attempted to retaliate against nearby Jewish communities, damaging dozens of vehicles in the process. Police officials say the operation will continue and that additional arrests and investigations are expected in connection with the broader security situation in the area.Across the West Bank, security forces responded to ongoing threats as a terrorist opened fire near a checkpoint outside Hashmonaim and fled the scene. No casualties were reported, and authorities imposed a security cordon around several nearby villages as investigators reviewed the incident. The episode underscores continuing volatility in the area and the persistent challenge authorities face in preventing violence at or near chokepoints and border zones.Israel’s border security and the wider regional threat environment have also been linked to the increasing presence and activity of unmanned aerial systems. An IDF attack helicopter pilot reported intercepting two drones that crossed into Israeli airspace from Egypt within minutes. Control operators described the mission as aimed at detecting and thwarting drone intrusions, while residents in southern communities warned that drone smuggling is intensifying and that the threat shows no sign of abating.Turning to regional dynamics beyond direct Israeli concerns, authorities in Turkey reported a counterterrorism operation tied to threats around the coming holiday period. A suspect was arrested on suspicions of planning an attack on the eve of the new year, allegedly on behalf of the Islamic State. Investigators found ISIS propaganda materials and recordings intended to support recruitment and the mobilization of operatives. Turkish authorities described the operation as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt ISIS networks and prevent attacks linked to sensitive holiday periods.In the Arabian Peninsula, Yemeni matters continue to draw regional attention. The Saudi-led coalition said it would respond to military moves by the Southern Transitional Council in Hadramout that contrary to de-escalation efforts. The statement signals ongoing fragility in Yemen’s south and the risk that separate factions could escalate confrontations, threatening broader regional stability.On the broader international stage, Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland drew a mixed reception. Israel became the first United Nations member to recognize Somaliland, but the decision did not elicit a uniform response from Washington. President Trump described the issue as being “under study” and dismissed discussions of a naval base near areas controlled by the Houthis as a “big deal.” Turkey expressed anger over ...
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.