HEADLINESNetanyahu Trump to chart Gaza postwar governanceHamas reasserts Gaza control as talks loomIntrinsic Defender naval drill strengthens deterrenceThe time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At the top of the hour, 10:00 AM, here is the latest update from the Middle East, with perspective shaped for an international audience.In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to meet US President Donald Trump on December 29, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues tied to the Gaza situation and broader regional security, with Netanyahu traveling to the United States for at least a week and planning to spend New Year’s at the US president’s residence in Florida. The meeting comes as Washington’s Gaza framework moves toward the next phase, and Israeli and allied partners prepare for how governance and security arrangements might be coordinated in any eventual postwar scenario.Across the security and humanitarian operations landscape, attention remains on the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, the joint hub that coordinates humanitarian aid and security assistance in Gaza under a US-led framework. A Guardian report, cited by The Times of Israel, raised questions about possible surveillance of partners inside the CMCC, a claim Israel has rejected as unfounded, saying that meetings there are documented and not classified. The CMCC continues to play a central role in enabling aid deliveries, with officials noting that thousands of trucks have entered Gaza daily since the ceasefire took effect, while discussions about how to manage aid flows and security controls proceed among the many international participants on the ground.In Washington’s orbit, there is ongoing scrutiny of Gaza governance plans. Hamas remains the central force inside Gaza, and reporting from various outlets indicates that Hamas has reasserted administrative control even as international efforts press for a broader political settlement. Some sources describe a dual-track approach in which a Hamas-free governance appearance is presented to Western partners while real influence and talks resume behind the scenes, raising questions about what a future governance arrangement might look like and what conditions Hamas would demand. The Palestinian Authority, represented by the PLO, continues to emphasize that any long-term arrangement will require a wider political framework, while some regional actors urge a path that could preserve security and humanitarian access without surrendering broader political goals.From Palestinian leadership and analysts, a cautionary note persists: ongoing negotiations will be tempered by whether Palestinian political demands and sovereignty concerns are met, and whether any future arrangement addresses security, sovereignty, and civil administration in Gaza. In parallel, the PLO has highlighted a dual-track strategy that seeks Western support for governance measures while keeping doors open to reintegration of Hamas under conditions that would need broad international backing. The constant tension between humanitarian aims and political objectives underscores the fragility of any near-term settlement.In Washington-aligned security circles and on the ground, a large-scale US-Israel naval exercise, Intrinsic Defender, has been underway with the US Fifth Fleet. The exercise, designed to reinforce freedom of navigation, interoperability, and deterrence, occurs at a moment when Iranian proxies wield influence across the region and regional states seek to demonstrate resolve. The exercise, which involves multiple partners, reinforces the sense of regional support for security coordination and could influence how Israel and its allies project deterrence in nearby theaters.On the domestic front in Israel, political and security developments continue to unfold. The government confirmed upcoming talks between Netanyahu and Trump, while domestic voices debate policy steps related to security and social provisions. In the Knesset, a proposed death-penalty option for terrorists has entered debate, with some leaders noting that legal measures could include tough penalties such as hanging, the electric chair, or lethal injection. The discussion reflects ongoing legal and moral arguments about how to respond to terrorism and protect civilians, as lawmakers weigh the balance between security measures and democratic norms.Separately, security incidents and law-and-order matters have drawn attention. Israeli police reported the arrest of an individual who posted threats targeting a senior Druze commander responsible for coordinating security in the territories, highlighting continuing concerns about political incitement and violence. Defense officials condemned the threats and underscored the seriousness with which such acts are treated, signaling that security personnel ...
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