HEADLINESIDF halts 10-12 cross-border smuggling cellsUS Iran nuclear talks resume in MuscatCanada nixes antisemitism office forms councilThe time is now 4:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), authorities report a series of border developments as the IDF says it has intercepted 10 to 12 smuggling cells moving weapons through Egypt and Jordan, with a military official noting full coordination among the army, the Shin Bet and police and strong cooperation from Egypt. The effort is described as part of an ongoing struggle at the lines, as the army continues its “cat and mouse” operations with cross-border militants and deepens cooperation with Egypt to curb trafficking. On the broader security front, a morning period of violence left two people dead in deadly accidents, underscoring the precarious conditions near the fronts. The army’s spokesperson also drew attention to the Bezalel Zini affair, saying it poses a significant risk to national security. Separately, the attorney general has asked the Supreme Court to halt Yariv Levin, arguing that his actions conflict with the law.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the border picture is complemented by voices from the field. A frontline sergeant is quoted saying, “I have a mission and I know what I and the women fighting by my side are worth,” highlighting the human dimension of border duty and the personal resolve involved in this ongoing challenge.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the dynamics on the ground continue to shape security and political calculations as authorities pursue multiple lines of effort along a tense frontier.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a developing legal-aid dynamic draws attention to the Bezalel Zini matter and its stated implications for national security, while a separate legal dispute raises questions about the boundaries of authority and legal process as the government faces court scrutiny.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the latest briefing underscores a multi-faceted approach to border security, interagency coordination with regional partners, and the ongoing tension between security concerns and legal checks and balances.In the United States Policy Concerning Israel, US-Iran talks begin amid low trust and high stakes, with Tehran entering diplomacy “with open eyes and a clear memory of the past year,” reflecting a cautious posture as talks resume. Tehran’s approach is framed by a recognition of recent tensions and a desire to secure a durable agreement, with officials emphasizing that commitments must be honored and that equal standing, mutual respect, and mutual interests are essential pillars, not slogans, of any deal.In the United States Policy Concerning Israel, Tehran’s leadership carries forward the message that diplomacy must be grounded in good faith while safeguarding Iran’s rights, and the commentary from Ali Shamkhani ahead of the talks casts the process as one guided by experienced negotiators who will protect national interests.In the United States Policy Concerning Israel, reports out of Oman indicate that Jared Kushner remains deeply involved in shaping potential outcomes as US and Iranian negotiators prepare to renew discussions, with The White House seeking plausible alternatives in the event of leadership changes in Tehran.In the United States Policy Concerning Israel, eight months after a pause, US and Iranian negotiators resume nuclear talks in Muscat, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner facing Abbas Araghchi as Tehran pushes to keep the focus on nuclear issues even as tensions with Washington remain high and US forces move closer to potential strike ranges.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Canada nixes a planned office to combat antisemitism, with a new council instead slated to consult with communities from coast to coast to build bridges and combat all forms of racism and hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.In Israeli Domestic Politics, there has never been a prosecutor general who has lost so many times in court, writes Motti Tachfeld, noting a series of legal setbacks and a controversial move that shifted a case from the police structure to the Attorney General’s office, a move that commentators say may finally bring greater transparency to the process and accountability to leadership.In Israeli Domestic Politics, a separate column by Motti Tachfeld argues that the combative Attorney General received a clear reminder from the courts, listing a sequence of high-profile tensions involving the police chief, the attorney general’s office, and political leadership, and describing how figures such as the retired Elazar Cohen and others have been drawn into a broader clash over how ...
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