Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-04 at 17:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-04 at 17:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-04 at 17:06

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 HEADLINESRoni Numa to lead Jericho Wall reviewRafah tunnel strike kills Hamas militantsIsrael strikes Hezbollah depots in southern LebanonThe time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the midday update on events shaping the Middle East and Israel’s security posture.The Israeli military says it is moving to operationalize lessons from October 7, with the army chief, Zamir, appointing Major General (ret.) Roni Numa to lead a formal review of the Jericho Wall plan, the Hamas raid blueprint that the IDF says was carried out in full on that day. The objective is to translate findings into the IDF’s work plan and improve defensive readiness.In Rafah, Israeli forces reported the killing of more than 40 Hamas militants who were operating in tunnels beneath the city, as areas now under Israeli control shift the balance of contest in southern Gaza. The military says the operation is part of ongoing efforts to deny Hamas freedom of movement and to neutralize tunnel networks that posed a threat to nearby Israeli communities.In the West Bank near the Shilo junction, the Israeli military and border police responded to reports of masked settlers throwing rocks at Palestinian vehicles and setting tires alight, underscoring ongoing volatility in the area and the fragile, battlefield-like feel that persists outside Gaza’s confines.A significant, though not independently confirmed, development in Gaza involves a Bedouin faction leader who for years opposed Hamas. Israeli media reported the death of Yasser Abu Shabab, a prominent local figure in Rafah whose group opposed Hamas operations. The incident reflects the broader dynamics inside Gaza where multiple factions vie for influence and security roles, even as Israel maintains pressure on Hamas to curb militant activities.On the Lebanon front, the IDF says it attacked several arms depots belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The strikes were described as precise, conducted in proximity to civilian areas, and came after concerns raised by Israel about Hezbollah’s use of civilian sites to shield weapons. The Israeli military indicated that these actions were part of ongoing efforts to deter threats and reinforce red lines, while stressing that such targets sit in a densely populated region and that steps were taken to minimize civilian harm. Bilding on recent exchanges, the fighting and cross-border activity remain a point of tension between Israel and Iran-backed groups in the region.Separately, Tehran’s influence is shaping political debates in several capitals. In Iraq, a government committee initially moving to list Hezbollah and the Houthis as terror groups faced pushback and announced a correction, highlighting the delicate balancing act Baghdad faces as it coordinates with US efforts to constrain Iranian influence while maintaining internal political stability. The episode underscores how designations and counterterrorism measures can become flashpoints in a broader regional struggle.In Syria, a United Nations Security Council delegation visited Damascus in what officials called a historic moment for international engagement with a country long isolated by sanctions and conflict. The mission emphasized sovereignty, reconstruction prospects, and the need for a Syrian-led transition, with discussions reaching across justice, reconciliation, economic development, and counterterrorism, and with planned meetings in neighboring Lebanon.Away from the battlefield, regional diplomacy also traced lines with the broader international community. Iran, after earlier signals of a boycott over visa issues, announced it would participate in the World Cup finals draw in Washington, presenting a diplomatic gesture amid long-running tensions with the United States and with Israel.In domestic policy, Israel’s cabinet began the debate on the 2026 state budget, a package that includes a large allocation for defense and a focus on reducing living costs. Finance Minister Smotrich presented a plan that envisions 760.6 billion shekels in spending, with defense receiving roughly 90 billion shekels. Prime Minister Netanyahu described the budget as responsible and balanced, designed to meet security needs while addressing everyday cost-of-living pressures. The discussions come as the government navigates a coalition that has pressed for ultra-Orthodox conscription reforms, a contentious issue that continues to spark debate about how to meet military manpower needs without jeopardizing social cohesion.On the technology and privacy front, Microsoft faced an EU complaint alleging it stored data tied to Israeli surveillance practices involving Palestinians, with the Irish data regulator confirming the matter is under assessment. The dispute centers on whether cross-border data handling enabled surveillance and potential occupation activities, and it follows reporting that some Israeli units curtailed use of ...
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