Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-05 at 12:12 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-05 at 12:12

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-05 at 12:12

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 HEADLINESNetanyahu Hefetz Case 4000 Cross Examination IntensifiesPrince Extortion Case Indicts Abu Latif NetworkIDF Drone Kills Hezbollah Near JmaijmehThe time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good morning. Here is the latest hourly update on events shaping the Middle East and related international issues.In Cincinnati, Ohio, authorities arrested an individual overnight on suspicion of involvement near the home of Vice President JD Vance. Federal and local investigators say the Secret Service alerted police after observing a person running eastbound near the residence, and a number of windows at the Vance home appeared to have been shattered. The Vice President and his family were not at the residence at the time, with Vance having departed on Sunday afternoon. The case remains under investigation, with authorities not releasing the suspect’s identity or potential charges at this hour.In Israel, cross-examination in Case 4000 continued in Tel Aviv’s district court, focusing on the relationship between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former aide Nir Hefetz. Prosecutors pressed questions about alleged ties and the extent of Hefetz’s involvement in media-related matters, including discussions about potential private media ventures. Netanyahu has maintained that his engagements with Hefetz were personal and not professional, arguing that any meetings were infrequent and did not amount to a quid pro quo. The proceedings form a central part of a long-running case that centers on regulatory decisions connected to Bezeq and Walla, and the defense has sought to challenge the coherence of the state witnesses’ accounts. The court sessions were abbreviated due to other parliamentary commitments, but cross-examination is expected to continue in the near term as prosecutors seek to test the timeline and the credibility of the statements presented so far.Separately in Israel, prosecutors announced new indictments in the so-called Prince extortion case. The head of the Abu Latif organization and ten other suspects face charges including extortion, conspiracy, fraud, and money-laundering after a year-long investigation. The operation involved a state witness codenamed “The Prince,” who cooperated with law enforcement under protection. Authorities say the investigation exposed a network of protection rackets and financial offenses spanning several years, with additional suspects linked to the Hariri organization named in filings. Officials described the case as a major step in efforts to disrupt organized crime in the northern part of the country and along the West Bank corridor.In related security news, the Israel Defense Forces said two Hezbollah operatives were killed in a drone strike in southern Lebanon. The target area was near Jmaijmeh, about eight kilometers from the border, where, according to Israel, the operatives were attempting to rebuild infrastructure for the group. The Israeli military released footage of the strike and reiterated that its operations have sought to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing a military foothold in the area. The clash comes amid ongoing concern about Hezbollah’s activities and a continuing, though fluctuating, ceasefire arrangement brokered with US involvement. The Lebanese health ministry reported fatalities consistent with the IDF account. Israel has maintained a presence at several border points and has conducted numerous strikes in Lebanon since the 2023 escalation, arguing that Hezbollah seeks to reconstitute its capabilities in violation of ceasefire terms.On the political front, the ultra-Orthodox political landscape remains tense over conscription. The Shas party signaled that it would withhold support for the 2026 state budget unless a haredi draft bill is enacted, potentially jeopardizing coalition stability. Party officials argue the bill would ensure more robust enforcement of enlistment while critics say the measure is a political instrument that may not deliver practical changes. The debate has featured highly charged rhetoric, including strong statements from party leadership about the essential role of yeshiva study in Israeli society and the state’s obligation to balance security needs with religious and cultural considerations. The ongoing discussions are taking place as the Israeli military reports manpower shortages amid the broader security challenges facing the country.In parallel, Yonatan Urich—an adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu and a key figure in the broader Qatargate investigation—moved to challenge police efforts to extend restraints past their expiration. His legal team argued that restrictions could not be retroactively revived once they had lapsed, even as the police sought a 60-day extension. The case has highlighted the procedural dimensions of the inquiry into alleged foreign influence and related activities involving figures close to the Prime Minister...
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