Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-28 at 21:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-28 at 21:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-28 at 21:07

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 HEADLINESIsrael Recognizes Somaliland, sparking regional tensionsIsrael Army Radio closure blocked by courtNetanyahu Trump to discuss Gaza and IranThe time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the hourly news update. We begin with developments that continue to shape the Middle East security landscape and how the world watches them.Israel’s domestic legal scene took center stage as the Supreme Court intervened in a government plan to shutter Army Radio. The court ruled that the move would be frozen while petitions challenging the closure proceed, following backing from the attorney general to pause the March 1 deadline. The decision preserves the broadcaster’s service as legal wrangling continues over its future and the broader questions of media within national security.In the broader region, the matter of Somaliland’s international status drew renewed attention. Israel announced the recognition of Somaliland, the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991. The move sparked demonstrations in the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa and other towns, with many residents celebrating alongside the Israeli flag. The Somali president condemned the decision as a threat to stability in the Horn of Africa, while the European Union urged respect for Somalia’s sovereignty. Analysts note that Somaliland’s strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and its existing institutions could influence regional dynamics, including Israel’s access to Red Sea routes and potential implications for regional security calculations in the Yemen area.The reaction from regional actors to Israel’s Somaliland move was swift. The Houthis, led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, issued a statement indicating that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target in light of what they described as aggression toward Somalia and Yemen and as a threat to regional security. The message underscored the fragility of regional alignments and the way shifts in recognition can become flashpoints in a volatile theater.France is set to preside over the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2027, succeeding Argentina. The IHRA’s continuing mission to combat Holocaust denial and rising antisemitism remains a focal point for international diplomacy, even as other crisis issues compete for attention.Internationally, there was notable protest activity linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Boxing Day demonstrations in London and Toronto featured activists displaying Palestinian flags and calling for restrictions on Israeli arms, highlighting the ongoing civil society pressures and the global reach of debates over Israel’s security needs and Palestinian statehood claims.On the security front, authorities in Israel are expanding tactical tools. The police have moved to adopt the “See-Shoot” remote firing system, a capability previously employed by the IDF, in response to increased smuggling via drones. This development raises questions about deterrence and the conditions under which such systems could be applied to counter infiltrations and other security challenges outside traditional combat zones.Meanwhile, the domestic political and security dialogue continues around Gaza and the broader regional mosaic. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to meet with US President Donald Trump in Florida, with discussions expected to center on Gaza, Iran’s missiles program, and Lebanon. Observers say the talks will examine how to advance a peace framework that can address Hamas’ and allied groups’ military capabilities while maintaining the momentum of any interim security arrangements. The discussions also come as Israel seeks to present a clear path on disarmament and stabilization in the face of evolving threats from the Iranian axis and its regional proxies.In related strategic moves, Israel reportedly detained Islamic Jihad operatives linked to the abduction of Ran Gvili, a remaining case that has hampered cease-fire momentum. Israeli officials and mediators have signaled that the status of Gvili’s remains remains a focal point as negotiations continue, with both Hamas and PIJ under international pressure to cooperate on hostages and remains.Turning to Yemen, regional observers note that three main forces continue to vie for control, reshaping the landscape in ways that affect regional security and humanitarian concerns. The Houthis, the Presidential Leadership Council, and other factions each maintain influence in different parts of the country, reinforcing the volatility that complicates regional diplomacy and any broader stabilization efforts.In Israel’s domestic policy arena, lawmakers advanced measures to curb prostitution, proposing a nationwide ban on brothels as part of broader anti-prostitution efforts. The move reflects ongoing legislative activity aimed at social policy in a country at war footing on...
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