Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-20 at 19:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-20 at 19:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-20 at 19:07

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 HEADLINESGaza Board of Peace Nears FormationUS Led Strikes Hit ISIS Across SyriaLebanon Nears Hezbollah Disarmament South LitaniThe time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Two o'clock in the afternoon. Here is the hourly briefing from the Middle East desk, with context to help international audiences understand the significance of today’s developments.Diplomatic efforts to shape Gaza’s future continued as Washington said it is coordinating with regional partners to establish a Gaza Board of Peace in the near term. The announcement follows a Friday meeting involving Qatar’s prime minister, Turkey’s foreign minister, and Egypt’s foreign minister, underscoring a tripartite effort to align regional mediation and governance channels as the region remains focused on the status of the Gaza Strip, security, and reconstruction efforts.On the ground, Israeli defense forces reported the detention of a suspected operative linked to the Islamic State in southern Syria. The operation, conducted near the border with the Golan Heights, resulted in the suspect’s transfer to Israeli authorities for further questioning, and weapons were found and secured in the vicinity. The incident reflects ongoing security concerns in the border area where Israeli forces have long monitored militant activity.In related developments, United States military forces conducted air operations against Islamic State targets in central and eastern Syria. The American action involved more than seventy targets across multiple locations, using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery. The United States described the strikes as part of a multi-day campaign in response to an attack near Palmyra last weekend that killed two American service members and a civilian contractor. Jordan participated in the strikes in coordination with coalition partners, and Iraqi and Syrian authorities indicated that the operation aimed to degrade remaining Islamic State infrastructure without a ground invasion. Observers noted that the strike campaign sought to disrupt command and control, logistics, and weapons development, while leaving population centers largely unaffected.Elsewhere in the region, discussions about Iran’s posture continued to shape security calculations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present options to United States President Donald Trump on how to respond to perceived Iranian advances, including renewed missile production and steps to rebuild elements of Iran’s nuclear program that had been damaged in previous strikes. Israeli officials warn that even as the nuclear program has faced setbacks, ballistic missiles are proliferating and pose an immediate concern for the Jewish state. Washington has maintained that any attempt by Iran to pursue a nuclear weapon would be met with decisive action, while ongoing diplomacy seeks to prevent further escalation in the broader Middle East.Lebanon’s leadership signaled progress toward disarming Hezbollah in the area south of the Litani River as part of the United States–backed ceasefire framework agreed last year. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that the first phase of weapons consolidation south of the Litani is nearing completion, with plans to move to the second phase north of the river. Israeli officials have repeatedly urged Beirut to follow through on the ceasefire terms, warning that delays could invite renewed pressure or Israeli actions if Hezbollah contends with the southern border. The Lebanese army has been tasked with building a state monopoly on arms, a process that remains closely watched by regional neighbors and international partners.Israel, Greece, and Cyprus continued to present a united front to deter Turkey’s broader regional aims. At a high-stakes summit in Jerusalem, the three allies emphasized deeper defense collaboration, energy security, and coordinated messaging to Ankara. While officials denied plans for a joint regional security force, the three governments underscored the importance of coordinated deterrence in the face of what they describe as escalatory moves by Turkey in various regional theaters.On economics and technology, Nvidia announced new campus plans in Israel to accommodate a larger workforce than previously anticipated, reflecting Israel’s growing role as a technology hub and a key partner for global semiconductor and artificial intelligence initiatives. The expansion is seen as evidence of robust bilateral ties and a signal of continued investment in Israel’s technology sector.Security and intelligence considerations also loomed in Washington’s policy circle as attention turned to Iran’s broader capabilities. The impulse to limit Tehran’s ballistic missile production remains a central concern for Israeli planners, American policymakers, and regional partners alike, especially in light of recent transatlantic discussions about potential preventive ...
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