Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-30 at 16:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-30 at 16:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-30 at 16:07

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 HEADLINESUS pushes Phase Two Gaza withdrawal planNetanyahu seeks presidential pardon in corruption trialPope Beirut visit signals mediation roleThe time is now 11:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is a midday update from the region, summarizing the latest developments and their broader implications for Israel, the Palestinian territories, regional partners, and international diplomacy.In the Gaza aftermath and the broader Israel-Gaza dynamic, the United States’ mediation framework remains at the center of debate as authorities press toward a Phase Two outline. The current American plan en view envisions a staged Israeli withdrawal from parts of the Gaza Strip while pursuing a demilitarization process and the deployment of an international security presence to supervise reconstruction and security arrangements. Israeli defense officials still emphasize that any withdrawal would be tied to verifiable disarmament of Hamas and a sustainable ceasefire, with a long-running reconstruction effort in the green zone of Gaza and a security perimeter maintained in the red zone. Recent reporting notes that the US command center operating in Kiryat Gat has highlighted humanitarian activities as a current milestone, while questions persist about the international force’s capacity and possible political hurdles. Israel’s strategic posture continues to stress that only Israeli security forces have the operational capacity to counter Hamas effectively, even as international actors seek to craft a broader framework for relief, governance, and demilitarization. In Rafah, Israeli forces have continued to extract information from tunnel networks and recover remains of terrorists; officials say the number of active tunnel threats has diminished but that dangers persist as the area undergoes a transition phase under international oversight. On the hostage front, authorities indicate that living hostages have largely been returned under the terms of the US-brokered ceasefire, with ongoing efforts to locate the two remaining deceased captives. The sense within Israel’s defense establishment is that patience remains essential to exhausting remaining threats without exposing troops to unnecessary risk, even as the United States presses ahead with a blueprint for international engagement.On the political and legal front, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon in his corruption trial, arguing that ending the proceedings would reduce national tension and better position Israel to confront security and diplomatic challenges. The request, which does not admit guilt, has drawn sharply divided reactions: allies describe it as a step to unite the country in the face of crisis, while opposition voices warn that a pardon would undermine the rule of law and accountability. The process now moves to President Isaac Herzog’s office, which will seek expert opinions from the Justice Ministry and consult with various authorities before deciding. The development comes as the trial—centering on allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases—has lingered for years, intersecting with broader political pressure to overhaul the judiciary and balance governance with security needs. The White House has weighed in indirectly through diplomatic channels, and the United States’ own stance toward Israel’s leadership and its political leadership remains a matter of intense scrutiny in domestic debates.Internationally, Pope Leo XIII’s historical visit to Beirut has injected a new dimension into discussions of a lasting settlement. During a press conference en route, the pope reaffirmed the Vatican’s position that a Palestinian state is an indispensable component of any credible peace formula and said the international community should help close in on a just solution for both sides. The pope also signaled a readiness to act as a mediator, while cautioning that violence cannot be justified in the name of religion. The evolving positions of regional powers add further complexity: in Turkey, talks surrounding a broader peace process with Kurdish groups continue to evolve, as PKK leaders indicate readiness to wait for concrete steps from Ankara, including measures toward recognition and rights for Kurds in Turkey. Iran and Turkey have also moved to expand ties via a major Silk Road-era rail link, a project estimated at about $1.6 billion, spanning roughly 200 kilometers and designed to improve cross-border trade between Asia and Europe. These moves illustrate a broader geopolitical landscape in which regional actors seek to expand economic cooperation even as security concerns and ideological rivalries persist.Security and extremist-related developments also continue to draw attention. In the United States, authorities say an Afghan national who attacked National Guard members near the White House was not radicalized until ...
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