Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-29 at 10:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-29 at 10:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-29 at 10:06

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 HEADLINESTurkey detains 115 ISIS suspects after raidSyria probes Damascus Assad-era mass graveIsrael activates Iron Beam laser defenseThe time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Seven Turkish police officers were wounded in an operation against Islamic State militants, and Turkish authorities say they detained 115 suspected ISIS members last week who were planning attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country. The episode underscores ongoing counterterrorism work in Turkey and the broader regional threat from ISIS networks operating across the borderlands.Syria’s government has opened a criminal investigation into a mass grave from the Assad era near Damascus, following a Reuters report detailing a scheme to hide thousands of bodies. The site at the Dhumair desert, once used as part of a weapons depot, was part of a years‑long operation to move corpses from the Qutayfah area to the desert site. The investigation is being conducted as Syria’s new authorities seek to secure the locale and prevent exploitation by hostile actors. Exhumations at Assad-era mass graves, including the Dhumair site, are scheduled for 2027, according to the National Commission for Missing Persons, which is building forensic capacity to meet international standards.In Israel, Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank has launched a savings grant of 1,000 shekels for children born since October 7, framed as “a new beginning” to promote long‑term financial security for families affected by the war. The program targets what the bank calls “children of the war” and aims to provide a modest, durable foundation for future needs.Saudi Arabia is increasingly concerned about political instability in Yemen, where the Southern Transitional Council is widely seen as backed by the United Arab Emirates. While Riyadh and Abu Dhabi share many regional interests, the two countries do not always align on Yemen policy, and the evolving balance of power in Yemen remains a sensitive factor for Saudi security planning and regional diplomacy.Israel’s status in the broader regional arena remains dynamic. China, in a separate but related regional story, opposes recognition of Somaliland and reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel, however, formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state last week, signaling a shift in the Horn of Africa’s political landscape. Beijing’s position reflects a broader caution about unilateral recognitions that could complicate regional diplomacy and stability.Across the region, China has also announced large-scale military drills around Taiwan, asserting Beijing’s claim to the island and signaling ongoing tensions between Beijing and Taipei that have implications for global security and international allies in the region.In Iran, protests and strikes continued in Tehran’s markets over the currency collapse, inflation, and the broader economic crisis, with demonstrators again pouring into major bazaars and shubs. The sustained domestic pressure highlights the domestic challenges Iran faces even as it engages in regional competition with rivals and seeks to shape the balance of power in the Middle East.Hamas’s military wing issued a teaser indicating an address at Gaza City’s main square at 4:00 p.m. local time, fueling expectations about an official statement from the organization. The message has drawn attention to internal communications within Hamas as the group faces ongoing pressure in Gaza and international scrutiny about its leadership and strategy.In a broader military oversight development, the Israeli Defense Forces have launched an internal review of the Gaza ground offensive as part of wider probes across fronts from Gaza to Lebanon and Iran. Retired generals are overseeing findings that are expected to be delivered by late 2026, signaling a long process of accountability and lessons drawn from the war’s conduct on multiple battlefronts.In Washington, political debates around US support for Israel continue. A controversial GOP lawmaker criticized President Trump’s meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, illustrating the ongoing partisan dynamics in the United States over how best to balance security commitments with diplomatic efforts in the region.On the public diplomacy front, American Jewish communities have been sounding concerns about Qatar’s growing influence in the region, alongside concerns about rising antisemitism on the political right at home. A survey noted that some American Jews consider Qatar a significant regional factor affecting Israel, while domestic discourse over antisemitism remains a persistent issue.Israel has also announced a major advancement in its defense architecture. The Iron Beam, a laser-based aerial defense system, has been declared operational. Capable of destroying missiles, mortar shells, and drones with high-energy light beams, it ...
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