Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-29 at 06:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-29 at 06:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-29 at 06:06

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 HEADLINESNetanyahu US talks advance on Iran alignmentIran develops unconventional warheads with chemical payloadsIraq faces possible Israeli action over militiasThe time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Two developments shape the Middle East this hour: Israel’s security and diplomatic posture with the United States, and a regional backdrop shaped by Iran’s ambitions, its internal pressures, and shifting power dynamics in nearby states.First, Israel and the United States are moving toward a set of high level engagements. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with the United States president has been advanced and will take place this evening at 20:00 Israel time. Earlier today, Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, at 17:15. In parallel, an editorial in a leading Israeli newspaper urged Netanyahu to push decisively on a hostage deal and to secure clear alignment with Washington on Iran, warning that any delay could complicate ongoing efforts. The discussions come as Israel seeks to maintain a coordinated approach with Washington on strategic matters, including Iran and regional security, while managing domestic and regional security concerns.Turning to Iran, a focus of regional tension remains its long range missile program. Reports cited by Iran International indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ air force is accelerating efforts to develop unconventional warheads intended for ballistic missiles. The outlets say the program includes chemical and biological payloads and is being developed under close oversight. Tehran denies that it seeks such weapons and reiterates commitments to international norms, but the accounts contribute to a broader picture of rising concern about Iran’s capabilities and regional calculations by its rivals. The implications for Israel and its security partners are part of a larger strategic calculus in which Washington and its allies reassess deterrence, diplomacy, and potential contingency options.In Baghdad, a parallel dynamic is unfolding around the future of Iraqi militias. A regional report, drawing on sources cited in a major Arabic publication, suggests that the Iraqi central government has been presented with a detailed dataset on local armed groups. The material allegedly covers leadership, organizational structure, funding networks, and political wings, and is said to have been compiled with intelligence support from Western partners. The publication frames the data as a warning signal about possible future Israeli action if Baghdad does not move to disarm these militias and distance their political influence from security policymaking. Baghdad’s stance on these questions remains a focal point for how the United States and Israel view regional stability and the risk of wider confrontation.Across the Gaza front, reports indicate continued cross-border activity and Israeli responses. Gaza sources describe recent Israeli air activity in the Rafah area, underscoring the ongoing fragility of the ceasefire environment and the way militant groups and Israeli defenses intersect in southern Gaza. The situation remains volatile, with humanitarian considerations and regional diplomacy weighing on how both sides calibrate restraint and retaliation.Domestically in Israel, security incidents continue to draw attention. In Beit Shemesh, a man under supervision for sex offenses is accused of offenses against a minor; police say the investigation is ongoing and that the suspect will be presented to a court to request an extension of detention. The case is being treated as a serious infringements against minors and reflects ongoing law enforcement priorities on safeguarding vulnerable populations. In a separate security matter, police announced a swift administrative closure of a nightlife venue in Eilat following a serious brawl. Three local suspects were detained, and authorities said the closure would last several days as investigators pursue the case. The police stressed their determination to act against violence and to ensure public safety at entertainment venues.On the domestic front, Iran’s economy and public mood are drawing international attention. Video reports and social media activity from Tehran show merchants in major bazaars chanting against the regime as economic distress deepens and the rial slides toward new lows. The reports quote merchants and observers describing a climate of protest and economic hardship, with the rial hitting dramatic exchange-rate levels in recent weeks. Iranian authorities have vowed to protect public order, while critics say the economic strain is testing public patience and the regime’s legitimacy.Looking beyond the region, other global developments intersect with regional security. A prominent claim by former US president Donald Trump cites Russia’s Vladimir Putin offering to supply energy to Ukraine ...
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