Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-17 at 16:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-17 at 16:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-17 at 16:07

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 HEADLINESGaza aid flows rise with bottlenecksMortar off course near Gaza sparks scrutinyAustralia Hanukkah attack claims 15 livesThe time is now 11:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good morning. This is 11:00 a.m. in the region, and here is the latest update on developments across the Middle East, with context for international audiences.On humanitarian relief and Gaza, an international famine monitoring effort is drawing attention for its forthcoming report on conditions in the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities say the report from the IPC famine monitoring program did not seek input from the Israeli defense ministry unit that coordinates entry of goods into Gaza, nor did it coordinate with the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center for timing or response. The IPC has drawn criticism for its past projections of famine, while noting that malnutrition patterns have fluctuated. In a separate briefing, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, or COGAT, highlighted a nutrition-based assessment by the World Food Programme indicating that food aid entering Gaza has, in recent weeks, exceeded Gaza’s estimated nutritional requirements. COGAT added that food prices have fallen sharply in Gaza, reflecting increased supply, and that winter provisions—tents, tarps, winter clothing and related equipment—are being supplied. COGAT reported that between 600 and 800 trucks carrying goods enter Gaza daily, with about seven-tenths of them containing food aid. The agency cited WFP data showing Gaza’s monthly food needs are about 62,000 metric tons, a benchmark IPC has used in the past. The UN and partners say there have been improvements in supply volumes, but operating at scale remains constrained by insecurity, customs clearance challenges, the limited number of actors approved to bring cargo, and gaps in cross-border transport within Gaza.In parallel, the Joint Civil-Military Coordination Center notes that since the ceasefire began, more than 30,000 trucks’ worth of humanitarian and commercial goods have moved into Gaza. The UN and aid organizations have emphasized that while aid flows have increased, the system still faces bottlenecks at crossings and with coordination among international partners, which limits the ability to bring relief to all who need it.Turning to Gaza security and regional dynamics, a reported Israeli airstrike and subsequent mortar activity near Gaza have raised questions about the accuracy and accountability of frontline actions. An incident described as mortar fire near Gaza reportedly veered off course; some outlets suggested a possible airstrike, though official Israeli comment is pending. In parallel, Israeli forces are continuing rotational and defensive measures in border areas, with authorities cautioning that investigations into specific incidents are ongoing as part of standard operating procedures.On the northern frontier, residents of Kiryat Shmona gathered for a protest at the city’s southern entrance, voicing concerns about government services and security after more than two years of conflict in the north. Local officials noted that a significant portion of northern residents have returned after evacuations during earlier hostilities, but a sizable share remain unsettled about future stability and public services. City leadership and regional authorities are emphasizing rehabilitation funding and economic recovery plans, including steps to revive local industry and start-up activity. A local technology incubator and a major sports and youth program marked an opening event this week, underscoring efforts to re-engage communities with education and recreation despite the ongoing security environment.On the domestic military-drafting debate, lawmakers are pressing for a redefinition of who counts as ultra-Orthodox for enlistment calculations. A government-backed bill seeks to define Haredi status by two years of schooling in a Haredi institution during adolescence, while continuing to defer full-time study for those in yeshivas. Critics say the proposed definition would count individuals who may no longer identify as Haredi toward enlistment quotas, potentially skewing the numbers and undermining the integrity of the drafts. Supporters argue a stable, continuous metric is necessary for policy planning, while acknowledging that some who were counted as Haredi in earlier years have since left the community. The debate reflects broader tensions within Israeli society over defense burdens, social policy, and political coalitions as the country confronts regional security challenges.In other regional theater, Iranian authorities have been publicly articulating their position on nuclear issues. Iran’s foreign minister has asserted that while the country’s nuclear facilities have suffered damage, the knowledge and technology behind Iran’s program remain intact, urging Washington to return to diplomacy ...
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