Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-28 at 13:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-28 at 13:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-28 at 13:06

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 HEADLINESEight killed in Homs Friday mosque attackNetanyahu meets Trump to push Gaza ceasefireIranian Handala hackers target Israeli officialsThe time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Eight people were killed and dozens wounded when a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs was attacked during Friday prayers, with an armed group known as Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah claiming responsibility in a formal statement issued after the blast. The incident underscores the ongoing volatility across parts of the Middle East and the broader security challenges that can spill over across borders, a reality noted by regional observers as Israel and its allies watch for how new violence may reshape security calculations in neighboring states.In Israel, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signaled a plan to double a tax on banks if consumer benefits are canceled, a move the Finance Ministry said would raise about 1.13 billion new Israeli shekels in 2026 and would climb to about 1.5 billion per year from 2027 through 2029. The proposal comes amid broader debates about fiscal policy and social benefits, with implications for households and financial institutions at a time of heightened security concerns and inflationary pressures.Reflecting the domestic conversation on accountability following the October seventh crisis, commentators say that final judgments on accountability and the direction of regional diplomacy rest with Israeli voters, not an investigative panel. The question of how to confront the aftermath of the war remains central to political debate as parties campaign on security, diplomacy, and governance.A new Israeli carrier, TUS Israel, is recruiting pilots as commercial operations are planned to start in 2026. The company is seeking experienced Airbus A320 pilots and is offering a track to captain within two years, contingent on reaching 3,000 flying hours, signaling an ambitious plan to expand Israel’s civilian aviation capacity in the region.In a separate ruling, the High Court dismissed petitions challenging the appointment of David Zini as head of the Shin Bet security service. The majority found no grounds for judicial review, though Justice Amit dissented, citing procedural concerns. The ruling closes a chapter in a debate over process and independence in the appointment of the country’s security leadership.Analysts note that the public competition for influence in the region is increasingly framed by global perceptions as much as by on‑the‑ground military power. Opinion writers argue that Israel’s challenge is not solely the fighting in Gaza but also shaping international narrative and diplomatic realities that influence regional dynamics.In commentary on regional strategy, some observers question the wisdom of recognizing Somaliland, arguing it could deepen clan divisions and affect Israel’s standing in a complex region. Such debates illustrate the broader, unsettled contours of diplomacy as Israel seeks to balance security needs with widening sea changes in regional alignments.Near Jerusalem, authorities said a man from East Jerusalem’s Beit Hanina was arrested after a hit-and-run incident that lightly injured a police officer in the Atarot area. Police said the driver had previously been prohibited from driving and that the investigation was ongoing, with reports indicating the vehicle was involved in transporting Palestinians entering Israel illegally—a phenomenon police have been stepping up efforts to curb.On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss Israel’s Gaza plan and tensions with Hezbollah and Iran. The talks were expected to focus on the broader framework for Gaza, including a second phase of a ceasefire and the possible deployment of an international stabilization force as Israel’s presence in the Strip winds down. Netanyahu’s schedule included a meeting with a senior US official and later engagements with Evangelical leaders and Jewish community members in Florida, before returning to Israel later in the week. The US side has signaled support for advancing the second phase of the Gaza arrangement, while stressing the need for security guarantees and the continued prevention of violence.In related security news, a new wave of cyber intrusions linked to Iranian networks has targeted Israeli officials in a psychological warfare campaign. The Handala hacking group, tied to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, breached the phones of high-ranking Israeli figures, including a close associate of Prime Minister Netanyahu and a former prime minister, releasing materials intended to undermine public confidence in Israeli security. Cybersecurity experts describe Handala as a high‑tempo, influence-focused operation that seeks to magnify perception of vulnerability and erode trust, even as the group’s technical capabilities are ...
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