Episodes

  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 07:07

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 07:07
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINESHistoric Pope Turkey trip to unite ChristiansIsrael strikes Syria, arrests militants, troops woundedUS weighs Brotherhood sanctions, Turkey excludedThe time is now 2:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Pope Leo will begin a four day trip to Turkey aimed at fostering unity among Middle East Christian communities and signaling a desire for dialogue across a region long divided by sect, history, and conflict. In Istanbul, the pope will meet leaders from across the region, including those from Egypt and Israel, and will be joined by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as he marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the council that produced the Nicene Creed still recited by Christians today. Friday’s ceremony centers the central theme of unity among denominations divided for centuries. The pope’s itinerary includes a stop in Iznik, the site of ancient Nicaea, where he will address interchurch cooperation and present a message of peace. In addition to ecumenical engagements, Leo will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and he plans to visit Istanbul’s Blue Mosque on Saturday, his first visit to a major Muslim house of worship as pope. He is also scheduled to celebrate a Catholic Mass at Istanbul’s Volkswagen Arena. As the pope’s travels unfold, observers note that Lebanon looms large in the background, with leaders there hoping the visit will draw international attention to the challenges posed by Gaza’s war spillover and regional instability, including the broader risk of escalation with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.In the United States, officials are considering sanctions on the Muslim Brotherhood, while excluding allies such as Turkey and Qatar from those measures. The decision reflects a careful recalibration of policy toward Islamist movements in the region and aims to balance concerns about terrorism with strategic relationships in a volatile neighborhood. The questions surrounding such a policy play out against a backdrop of alliances, competing interests, and long standing tensions in the Middle East.Across the border in Israel, the security picture remains firmly focused on threats near its borders and the capacity of its institutions to respond. An operation carried out by an elite reserve unit in southern Syria targeted suspected members of an Islamist organization. The outcome, according to Israeli officials, involved the arrest of all primary suspects and the elimination of several militants; in the course of the operation, several Israeli troops were wounded—two officers and a reserve soldier were severely injured, another reserve soldier moderately injured, and an additional officer and reserve soldier lightly injured. The Israeli Defense Forces said the mission concluded with the suspects in custody and with ongoing measures to counter threats in the area. The episode underscores the ongoing vigil surrounding Israel’s northern and eastern approaches amid a volatile regional security environment.In other regional matters, criticism of international reporting and policy emphasis continues to surface. An opinion piece on UN solidarity initiatives argues that International Solidarity Day with the Palestinians has often overlooked Jewish refugees expelled from Arab countries, raising questions about the balance of attention in global discussions of displacement, rights, and return. The piece reflects a broader debate about how international forums frame Israel and Jewish history within the Palestinian narrative, a debate that recurs in diplomatic and public diplomacy conversations in Washington and European capitals.Europe also remains attentive to evolving security and memory dynamics. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is set to visit Guernica for a commemoration tied to the Nazi bombing, a reminder of historical memory that often informs contemporary debates about conflict, guilt, and responsibility in Europe’s present-day approach to the Middle East.Within the arts and public discourse, attention to antisemitism and misinformation has continued to surface in high profile entertainment circles. Hollywood actor Guy Pearce issued an apology for sharing misinformation and statements that included antisemitic narratives, while not retracting every prior post. The controversy centers on material that circulated claims about Jewish influence and conspiracy theories connected to Israel and 9/11, among other topics. The episode highlights ongoing concerns about how public figures handle complex international issues online, and the responsibilities that accompany a large public platform.Domestically, Israel’s housing market has shown signs of a cooling trend. Prices have declined for several consecutive months, with market activity softening in the face of a prolonged period of military conflict and high borrowing costs. The Bank of Israel cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to ...
    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 06:06

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 06:06
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINES- IDF Beit Jen Raid Kills Militants- EU Expands Chat Control Privacy Fears Grow- US Reviews Green Cards for Risk NationsThe time is now 1:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This hour, a concise briefing on developments in the Middle East and related policy moves, with attention to Israeli security concerns and US perspectives for an international audience.In southern Syria, Israeli forces conducted a nighttime operation near the town of Beit Jen, close to the Hermon area. The Israeli Defense Forces reported that gunmen linked to the Jaama Islamiya organization were targeted and that the operation involved ground forces, artillery, and aircraft support. The exchange of fire ended with the detention of suspects and the elimination of several militants, according to the IDF. The army said two of its officers and multiple reservists were wounded, with injuries ranging from light to severe; the troops were evacuated to hospital and families were informed. The IDF emphasized that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt threats to Israeli civilians, and it said forces would remain deployed in the area to counter any further danger.On the strategic front, a prominent editorial in a regional outlet argued that Turkey’s effort to deploy a homegrown defense system—sometimes described in public discourse as a “Steel Dome” concept—would not, by itself, produce a material shift in regional security or political posture. The piece suggested that the system’s real value lies more in prestige and in reinforcing political decision-making, rather than in delivering a decisive security transformation against potential threats from neighboring states. The assessment underscores the broader debate in Ankara about defense modernization, alliance considerations, and the limits of a national system in the regional security architecture.Turning to Europe’s regulatory focus, the European Union signaled plans to expand monitoring of private messaging as part of a revised regulatory framework described in press materials as “Chat Control.” The intent is to extend oversight of private communications to deter wrongdoing, reflecting a shift toward greater digital surveillance in some member states. The move has drawn attention to debates over privacy, civil liberties, and security across the bloc.In the United States, policy changes and rhetoric continue to shape international and immigrant avenues. The administration announced a review of green cards issued to individuals from a group of countries deemed high risk, with a list that includes Iran, Laos, Togo, Haiti, Cuba, Libya, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, Burma, Yemen, Burundi, and Somalia, among others. The step is described as a broad reassessment of eligibility and risk, with implications for would-be residents and for the processing systems that issue cards.Concurrently, former president and 2024 candidate Donald Trump reiterated hardline immigration positions, signaling a continued push to curb entry from developing nations broadly. In addition, remarks attributed to Mr. Trump suggested a readiness to expand enforcement actions against drug trafficking networks, including possible operations on foreign soil, with a focus on regions such as Venezuela. These statements reflect ongoing debates inside US policy circles about immigration and international counter-narcotics cooperation.In the same regional corridor, reporting from Syria described ongoing clashes near Beit Jen and surrounding areas, with Israeli forces pursuing two young men identified as targets of operation. The sequence of events included artillery exchanges and aerial activity, with casualties reported on all sides in the broader town area. A government-wide restriction on discussing certain details has been noted in some outlets, highlighting the sensitive and fast-moving nature of the events.These items illustrate a continuing pattern: Israel emphasizes security and counterterrorism measures to shield its population, while regional actors probe and test the boundaries of security commitments and political signaling. At the same time, international actors—NATO allies, European regulators, and US policy analysts—are weighing the balance between defense postures, civilian privacy, immigration policy, and the pursuit of strategic stability in a volatile landscape. The coming hours and days are likely to bring further statements from the IDF, additional regional reporting, and potential shifts in diplomatic posture as governments reassess risk and response options in light of evolving events.Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/opinion/...
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 05:08

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 05:08
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINES- Turkey eyes Iron Dome amid Gaza talks- Israeli forces clash near Beit Jinn- Trump urges asylum overhaul amid security debatesThe time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is a midnight update on developments shaping security, diplomacy, and policy across the Middle East and the United States as circumstances unfold in the region and beyond. While the chapters vary—from national defense ambitions in Ankara to violent incidents along Syria’s border and domestic political reckonings in Washington—each thread tests the balance between security imperatives and broader international considerations.In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has continued to frame a national defense objective that echoes a familiar model from Israel, arguing that Turkey should have its own Iron Dome to deter threats it anticipates from the region. Editorials accompanying the coverage emphasize that the move, while framed as a defensive measure, also yields prestige and strategic insurance for decisions Turkish leaders may make in the future. Turkish officials stress that the goal is to bolster deterrence and protect civilian life, but observers note the proposal would add a new layer to Ankara’s security architecture and could influence Turkey’s cooperation with allied powers, especially if it intersects with any potential participation in broader regional arrangements concerning Gaza or other flashpoints. Erdogan has also been linked in reporting to hopes that United States leadership, under President Donald Trump, might persuade Israel to accept Turkish involvement in a broader Gaza security framework. The discourse around a Turkish role in regional security remains unsettled and highly contingent on calculations in Washington, Jerusalem, and within Ankara itself.Across the border in Syria, reports detail a tense exchange between Israeli forces and local combatants near Beit Jinn, at the foothills of Mount Hermon. The Israel Defense Forces conducted patrols in southern Syria, with accounts indicating clashes and exchanges of gunfire, and there were persistent reports of Israeli helicopters and artillery activity in the area. The Israeli military has not issued a formal statement at this time, but the sequence underscores how sporadic confrontations along the frontier can escalate quickly and draw in broader regional dynamics, including the presence of various local and irregular armed groups in southern Syria and the ongoing strains between Israel and actors aligned with Damascus and allied factions. The broader security environment surrounding these incidents remains unstable, and the international community continues to monitor for any shifts in the balance of power on the ground.In the United States, the political and security landscape continues to evolve in the wake of a deadly incident in Washington, where a National Guard member died from wounds sustained in an attack near the White House. The investigation is being treated as an act of terrorism. Authorities say the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old man who previously lived in Washington state, fired on National Guard patrols with a revolver before being shot and hospitalized. Officials reported that Lakanwal had worked with a CIA-backed Afghan unit and entered the United States in 2021 under a resettlement program for Afghan nationals who assisted US forces. The case has intensified political rhetoric around asylum and immigration policies, with supporters of stricter vetting and broader reviews arguing the episode highlights security gaps, while critics warn against broad-brush conclusions about vulnerable groups. The investigation is proceeding with a nationwide scope as officials search related properties and review the applicant’s past and credential history. White House and state authorities have stressed that this tragedy is a stark reminder of the ongoing national security challenges faced by the United States, including the complex history of Afghan arrivals and the difficulties of balancing humanitarian commitments with safeguarding the public.As part of the ongoing policy conversation, President Donald Trump has publicly attributed security concerns to the asylum and immigration processes of the Biden era, calling for a comprehensive reexamination of asylum decisions and green-card issuances. While he asserted that due process must be maintained, the rhetoric has intensified the partisan debate surrounding immigration policy and national security. The federal government has indicated it will conduct a broad review, including asylum cases approved under the Biden administration and green cards issued to residents from certain countries. In this atmosphere, questions about vetting procedures and the accountability of resettlement programs have returned to the forefront of political discourse, even as investigators pursue little-known background details about ...
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 04:04

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 04:04
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINESIsrael Syria border clashes near Beit JenWhite House ambush prompts Afghan asylum reviewErdogan seeks Turkish role in Gaza securityThe time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Here is the on‑the‑hour update on the regional security picture and related developments that shape the Middle East and the broader international context.In southern Syria, clashes that began near Beit Jen, at the foothills of Mount Hermon, continued to unfold as an Israeli Defense Forces patrol encountered local residents. Syrian and regional outlets reported exchanges of gunfire and the involvement of combat helicopters and artillery in the Beit Jinn area, with later accounts noting additional Israeli airstrikes in the vicinity. The Israeli military has not issued a formal comment on the latest incident, but the fighting underlines the fragile security dynamic along the Israeli–Syrian border, where sporadic cross-border operations and clashes regularly punctuate the ceasefire arrangements and ongoing patrols in the Damascus countryside.Across the Atlantic, the political and security implications of a separate domestic incident continue to reverberate. A National Guard member died from wounds sustained in an ambush near the White House this week, with investigators identifying the suspect as an Afghan national who had previously worked with a CIA-backed unit during the war in Afghanistan. The case has intensified questions about the vetting and settlement pathways for Afghan nationals brought to the United States in the wake of the war, and it prompted a rapid review of asylum and green-card procedures by the Biden and Trump administrations alike. Federal investigators describe the shooting as a terrorist‑related act, and authorities say the probe remains nationwide in scope as they examine the gunman’s ties and the broader security implications for the capital and other urban centers.In the regional diplomacy arena, there is renewed discussion about security arrangements for Gaza. Reports from the region indicate that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be seeking to persuade Israel to consider Turkish participation in a multinational Gaza security framework, a proposal that would involve coordination among regional and international partners to manage volatility in and around the Gaza Strip. The exact contours of such a role would depend on broader security and political negotiations among Israel, its partners, and the United States, and any move would unfold within the larger debate over how best to ensure humanitarian access, ceasefire compliance, and the protection of civilians in Gaza and southern Israel.Within Israel and the broader Jewish world, attention continues to turn to security and rehabilitation issues connected to the ongoing conflict. Reports this week describe the release of a Gazan nurse, Tasneem al-Hams, linked to the Hamas health apparatus, following her detention by Israeli authorities in a case tied to hostilities and prisoner exchanges. The development comes as Israel faces ongoing domestic and regional security concerns, including the need to balance counterterrorism objectives with humanitarian considerations and international diplomacy surrounding hostages and detainees. Separately, Israeli public life continues to confront security and social challenges, from high-profile investigations tied to public figure safety to routine governance and public policy debates aimed at preserving civilian security and resilience.Looking ahead, the security environment in the region remains unsettled. In Syria, Israeli patrol operations, cross-border air activity, and local confrontation near Beit Jinn are likely to continue to shape nightly security developments and international reporting. In Washington and for US policy, the questions surrounding Afghan refugee admissions, asylum processing, and related national security reviews are likely to influence debates on immigration policy, border security, and the Joints of alliance with regional partners. In the broader Middle East, Turkey’s potential role in Gaza security discussions will be watched closely by Israel, its Arab partners, and the United States as they weigh how to structure regional security cooperation, humanitarian access, and the governance of escalation risks.This is the latest snapshot of events shaping the regional security landscape, with activity on the ground in Syria, evolving US policy conversations, and emerging diplomatic proposals that could influence risk assessment and policy choices for weeks to come.Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/...
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 03:06

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 03:06
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINESErdogan eyes Turkish Gaza role via USLahav 433 chief to return amid probeIsraeli Briton detained in Lebanon for espionageThe time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.From the Middle East and surrounding circles, the latest developments are shaping how Israel and its partners gauge security, diplomacy, and regional role as regional and global powers weigh Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.First, Erdogan’s approach to Gaza draws renewed attention. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is said to be hoping that US President Donald Trump can persuade Israel to accept Turkish participation in a Gaza security force. The report cites an Arab diplomat who relayed hopes that Washington might help bridge differences over Turkish involvement. Officials in Jerusalem have not publicly embraced the idea as a final plan, underscoring Israel’s concerns about how any external security arrangement could affect its control over operations in Gaza and its broader security posture. The development arrives as regional actors seek to define roles in Gaza’s future and as Turkey’s regional ambitions intersect with Israel’s priorities regarding neighboring stability, hostage concerns, and the humanitarian situation in the enclave.In other Israeli security administration news, the head of Israel’s Lahav 433—the national police investigative unit—prepares to return to duty on Sunday despite an ongoing investigation. The authorities indicate that the core question at this stage concerns whether the police official assisted an associate in a particularly sensitive inquiry. The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of high-level policing and the management of sensitive probes within a security environment that Israel portrays as affected by external threats as well as internal accountability standards. For now, officials say the investigation is moving through standard channels, with expectations that the role of the unit’s leadership will be clarified in due course.Tensions and risks near Israel’s borders have also resurfaced in Lebanon. An Israeli-British tourist is detained there on suspicion of espionage after authorities say he photographed the Lebanese Defense Ministry building. Investigators report that his phone contained a large amount of communication with contacts in Israel, and he spent 12 days in a military prison under harsh conditions, alongside Hezbollah members, before intervention by an Israeli lawyer and local supporters. The case highlights the sensitivity surrounding espionage allegations and the friction that can arise when foreign visitors are accused of gathering information in Lebanon, a country with a complex security landscape and strong Hezbollah influence.Backgrounders touching Israel’s long-running security concerns involve Hezbollah. Reports discuss the intelligence apparatus’s long-term work around Hezbollah’s leadership and the tactical implications of past operations linked to Hezbollah’s command structure. The narrative notes that years of intelligence work culminated in actions tied to the organization’s leadership, illustrating how Israel monitors potential escalation channels and seeks to deter threats from across the region. The framing emphasizes the persistent, high-stakes nature of intelligence work in a volatile security environment where even long-standing vigilance is tested by new opportunities and risks.On the broader regional security front, the conversation continues around American and allied deterrence measures aimed at Iran. In a broadcast claim, the US President stated that the recent deployment of B-2 bombers “totally obliterated the nuclear potential” of Iran. The assertion reflects the administration’s messaging about its deterrence posture, but it comes amid a backdrop of contested assessments and ongoing international diplomacy regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Analysts caution that such statements can influence regional calculations among Israel, Iran’s regional rivals, and Washington’s partners, even as other actors call for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic engagement.These developments arrive at a moment when Israel remains focused on maintaining a secure frontline while navigating broader regional alignments, with Washington signaling continued attention to deterrence and regional stability. The potential involvement of a major regional power in Gaza’s security framework, questions about internal security leadership, and high-stakes intelligence operations near Israel’s borders collectively shape the immediacy of Israel’s security considerations and its approach to diplomacy with allies and adversaries alike.That is the latest from the region, where security, intelligence, and diplomacy intersect in ways that have direct implications for Israeli security planning, regional diplomacy, and international responses.Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing...
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 02:11

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 02:11
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINESErdogan seeks Trump's backing for Gaza forceJenin shooting sparks international calls for accountabilityIran funds Hezbollah via Dubai hawalaThe time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Here is the latest from a region where security concerns, diplomacy, and policy shifts intersect at a fast pace.Israeli policy makers are signaling careful steps to manage domestic costs without compromising service or security. In another domestic debate, a government official says there will be no public transport price hikes that would place an added burden on riders without parallel improvements in service. The stance reflects broader concerns about balancing public budgets with the need to sustain essential infrastructure in a time of fiscal scrutiny.On the diplomatic front, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conveyed to allies that he hopes United States President Donald Trump can persuade Israel to accept Turkish participation in a Gaza force mechanism. The push signals Istanbul’s interest in an active security role in Gaza, even as the plan’s viability and operational details remain under discussion among regional and international stakeholders.Security developments continue to unfold in the field. Lahav 433, the Israeli police counterterrorism unit, is preparing to return to its post on Sunday despite an ongoing investigation, with authorities saying the inquiry at this stage centers on a senior officer’s involvement in a sensitive matter. Separately, an off‑duty Israeli soldier shot a Palestinian man near Jerusalem after a vehicle intrusion attempt by Palestinians entering Israel illegally along Route 60; the incident is being investigated to determine whether the force used was proportionate and in line with procedures.In the West Bank, a high-profile incident in Jenin drew international attention. Two Palestinian men who surrendered to Border Police and were later shot were identified by Palestinian media as residents of Jenin. Officials say the operation targeted a terror network, and the incident is currently under review by military and police commanders, with a formal investigation possible. The episode intensified calls from Palestinian officials for accountability, even as some domestic voices in Israel stressed support for the troops’ actions in a dangerous and fluid security environment.International reaction to the broader West Bank and settlement dynamics remains active. Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement urging Israel to uphold international law and protect Palestinians, while also calling for stability in the West Bank. The ministers pressed Israel to reconsider plans for new housing units in the E1 corridor and to restore withheld tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, warning that weakening the PA could undermine regional stability and Israel’s own security. The statement also reaffirmed support for a two-state approach to the conflict and, in line with prior positions, rejected any solution that would leave the PA with a limited or transitional role in governing post-war Gaza, though it left the door open to a degree of coordination with the United States on broader regional arrangements.Beyond the immediate conflict, regional security considerations continue to intersect with international financial flows. A Wall Street Journal report cited US and regional officials alleging that Iran has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah over the past year through Dubai, moving money earned from oil sales via Hawala channels. The UAE publicly indicated it is working with international partners to halt such activities, while the United States has sanction authorities focused on intermediaries involved in these transfers. The broader implication is a view that Iran seeks to bolster Hezbollah’s capabilities as regional tensions persist, even as sanctions and enforcement actions seek to curb such support.In related security and policy developments, the United States continues to recalibrate its posture toward regional non-state actors and allied partners. The administration has signaled a willingness to reexamine sanctions designations related to groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood while considering the alignment, or exclusion, of partners in the Middle East as part of a broader effort to project stability and deter escalation. At home, the United States is wrestling with a major security incident in Washington, where a National Guard shooting resulted in the death of a service member and injuries to others; investigators are examining the attack’s background, including the shooter’s prior associations.On the international policy front, the European Space Agency is moving to boost funding to strengthen its space program as Europe seeks to stay competitive with the United States and China. The agency has requested more than 20 billion euros ...
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 01:06

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 01:06
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINESAfghan Attacker Linked to CIA-Backed UnitJenin Killings Prompt War-Crime AccusationsHundreds of Millions Fuel Hezbollah via DubaiThe time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.A shooting in Washington, DC, has left one National Guard member dead and another seriously wounded, as investigators identify the attacker as an Afghan national who previously worked with a CIA‑backed unit in Afghanistan before arriving in the United States in 2021. The fallen service member was Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and the injured Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, 24, was reported to be fighting for his life. Authorities say the shooter’s ties to a security‑related unit raised questions about security screening and the network that brought him to the capital, though investigators are focusing on the events of the day and the exact motive.Across the region, security incidents in the West Bank underline ongoing tensions that have persisted since the Gaza war began in 2023. In Jenin, two Palestinian men, identified by the Palestinian Authority as 37-year-old Yussef Ali Asa’sa and 26-year-old Al-Muntasir Billah Mahmud Abdullah, were shot dead after appearing to surrender to Israeli Border Police during a counter‑terrorism operation. Israeli forces said the men were suspected of involvement in bombing and shooting attacks and that the operation was conducted with the aim of disrupting a local terror network. The incident, filmed from multiple angles, drew immediate condemnation from the Palestinian Authority, which called it a brutal execution and a war crime, while Israeli officials described the men as armed suspects who posed a threat. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir publicly backed the troops involved, saying terrorists must die, a stance that drew swift criticism from Palestinian officials and human rights groups.The Jenin episode followed a broader Israeli military push in the northern West Bank, including operations in Tubas, Tammun, and al‑Aqaba, aimed at disrupting efforts by Palestinian militant groups to reestablish a presence in the area. Israeli Air Force helicopters were reported to have supported the ground campaign, though no casualties were announced in those strikes. The violence around Route 60 and other flashpoints near Jerusalem has continued to flare, with past attacks layered onto ongoing raids and arrests. Palestinians and their supporters have warned that such incidents threaten regional stability and risk further escalation, while Israeli authorities say the operations are necessary to prevent attacks on security forces and civilians.International reaction to the latest West Bank events has grown more coordinated. Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement urging Israel to adhere to international law and protect Palestinian civilians, while calling on Israel to reverse plans for new housing in the E1 corridor and to resume tax transfers to the Palestinian Authority to support stability. The statement also underscored support for a two‑state framework as a path to lasting peace, even as Israel has signaled it does not envision PA governance for Gaza in a post‑war arrangement, while signaling tentative openness to aspects of the broader US plan for a future role for the PA following reforms.Separately, a longstanding security concern in the region involves Iran’s support networks for allied groups. The Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah via money‑laundering channels in Dubai within the past year, a development officials say is part of a broader effort to rebuild Hezbollah’s capabilities after the group’s losses in battle with Israel. The report cites private channels and Hawala networks that move funds to Lebanon, with some transfers routed through informal exchanges and other intermediaries. The United Arab Emirates publicly said it is working with international partners to stop such activities, and US officials have noted that Washington has stepped up sanctions enforcement connected to Hezbollah’s financing. The Iraqi, Iranian, and Gulf dynamics that feed these networks remain a central element of regional security concerns.In other Middle East developments, international engagement continues around the broader security landscape. In the wake of the flare‑ups in the West Bank, European partners reiterated support for stability and for a two‑state approach, underscoring the importance of preventing further escalations that could pull in neighboring states and complicate diplomacy with both Israel and the Palestinians. Israel has faced domestic debates over its security posture and political calculations as it pursues a strategy to neutralize threat networks while maintaining essential civilian protection. The administration and allies have emphasized the need for restraint and for adherence to international norms in ...
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 00:06

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-28 at 00:06
    Nov 28 2025
    HEADLINESCapitol Shooting Kills National Guard MemberTwo Palestinians Killed in Jenin SurrenderKhamenei Warns US Zionist Alliance DeepensThe time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This hour at seven o’clock, the international security and political landscape remains unsettled as events in the United States and the Middle East intersect with broader European defense moves and diaspora debates. Journalists are closely watching how shifting policies and on‑the‑ground incidents shape perceptions of safety, sovereignty, and memory across communities.In Washington, a deadly shooting near the Capitol complex has claimed the life of a National Guard member. The service member was identified as Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, one of two guardsmen wounded in the incident, which prompted an extensive investigation into the shooter’s motive and the exact sequence of events. Officials emphasized that investigators are examining security protocols and potential links to wider security concerns, while ensuring that details are released only as they are verified.In the West Bank city of Jenin, Israeli forces faced sharp international scrutiny over the killing of two Palestinians who appeared to surrender during an operation. The Israeli military said the suspects were wanted for terror activities and “exited the building after a surrender procedure,” at which point fire was directed toward them. Palestinian authorities denounced what they called a brutal summary execution and urged the international community to intervene. Human rights organizations and Israeli human rights advocates weighed in with divergent analyses about the conduct of operations in occupied territory, the risks of dehumanization, and the need for accountability. The incident comes amid a longer arc of violence in the West Bank since the Gaza war, with casualties among both Palestinian civilians and militants and ongoing confrontations between Israeli security forces and Palestinian groups.Iranian leadership used a televised address to issue stark warnings about regional security. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that Iran and its allied forces had decisively challenged the United States and the Zionist movement in what he described as a recent period of conflict. He dismissed suggestions of any back-channel communication with Washington and criticized American support for Israel, arguing that such ties undermine regional stability. The remarks contribute to a climate of heightened vigilance across the Middle East, where adversaries and allies monitor every statement for potential implications for ceasefires, diplomacy, and military posture.In Europe, defense industry developments continued to reshape assumptions about deterrence. The Leonardo group in Italy unveiled the Michelangelo Dome, a multi-layered air defense system inspired by the Iron Dome, designed to protect critical infrastructure from threats including missiles and drones. Leonardo described a phased path to full operation by 2028 and highlighted collaboration with military and national authorities to tailor the architecture to national security needs. Officials noted that similar concepts—integrated, multi‑layered shields—are evolving across NATO partners, reflecting a broader push to safeguard key sites in a security environment shaped by hybrid and conventional threats alike.On the domestic policy front, former president Donald Trump announced a sweeping review of asylum cases and green card pathways in the wake of the Washington shooting incident. The proposal signals a renewed emphasis on border and immigration control as a component of national security policy, a stance that continues to provoke debate about humanitarian obligations, legal processes, and the practicality of large-scale policy changes during ongoing security concerns.In London, discussions around the handling of anti‑settlement and pro‑Palestinian activism raised questions about security, civil liberties, and the balance between protests and public order. A ban under consideration or enacted against certain groups has prompted debate about where to draw lines between advocacy and unlawful activity, and how such measures might affect broader discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian issue and international reactions to it.Athletic and cultural developments also feature in the coverage of the region’s complex tapestry. Israel’s national teams and leagues continue to compete on the world stage, with basketball and other sports serving as a lens on national identity and international engagement. In addition, a wave of documentary and cultural programming highlights Jewish and Israeli voices, offering audiences a window into the people, stories, and memory that accompany political conflict and peace efforts alike.Memory and identity remain focal points in diaspora discourse. Debates sparked by remarks from figures ...
    Show More Show Less
    6 mins