Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-02 at 20:06
Update: 2025-11-02
Description
HEADLINES
Lebanon Hezbollah rearmament risks fresh Israeli strikes
Military Advocate General resigns amid leak scandal
Remains of hostages delivered via Red Cross
The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good afternoon. Here is your hourly update on the Middle East and related global developments as of 3:00 PM.
Israel signalled it could intensify operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, calling the Iran-backed group a continuing threat as it reconstitutes its strength. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz voiced concern that Hezbollah has been rearming and that the Lebanese state has not done enough to curb it. Despite a 2024 ceasefire, Israeli forces remain in five southern Lebanon zones and continue regular strikes. Western intelligence sources cited by The Jerusalem Post say Hezbollah is rebuilding far more quickly than the Lebanese Army can disarm it, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and the potential for renewed fighting if conditions deteriorate further.
In Jerusalem, attention remains on the leadership of the military justice system after the resignation of the Military Advocate General, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, following a leak controversy linked to the Sde Teiman detention facility. Tomer-Yerushalmi went missing for several hours last weekend and was later found alive along a beach near Tel Aviv. She is to be questioned as part of a criminal investigation into the leak. Defense Minister Israel Katz has met with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to discuss candidates for the MAG post, with Zamir signaling a preference that the next MAG come from outside the current MAG’s circle, though the Military Justice Law requires a military attorney with at least seven years of legal experience. Retired Brigadier General Doron Ben Barak is among those viewed as a leading candidate; the process is ongoing, and President Herzog urged the public to lower tensions as the facts come to light.
On the humanitarian front, Israel received the remains of three hostages via the Red Cross, with Israel stating Hamas must honor its commitments under the ceasefire and return all captives. Israel also rejected a Hamas proposal to evacuate about 200 terrorists from Rafah, arguing the move would undermine the terms of the agreement and endanger Israeli civilians and hostage families. Separately, families of hostages killed in Gaza were laid to rest in southern Israel, with public figures including President Isaac Herzog offering condolences and acknowledging the government’s responsibility for the safety of captives. In other human stories, two freed hostages returned home in recent days—Bar Kuperstein to Holon after two years in captivity, and Alon Ohel, who underwent eye and orthopedic procedures after his release—highlighting the personal toll of the conflict and the ongoing healing process for families.
Israel’s domestic policy agenda also centers on its economy and the high-tech sector. In a bid to reverse the well-documented brain drain and attract back talent and investment after the Gaza war, the government unveiled a tax reform package. Core elements include a uniform carried-interest tax rate of about 27 percent for investment funds, exemptions from value-added tax on carried interest for foreign and Israeli investors, and exemptions from capital gains tax for foreign funds on direct high-tech investments. Returning employees from relocation abroad will be exempt from taxes on income earned outside Israel, and there will be mechanisms to offset foreign taxes against Israeli liabilities. The reform aims to restore tax certainty and streamline processes for multinational companies, investment funds, and startups, as part of a broader effort to sustain the high-tech sector, which accounts for a significant share of GDP and exports. The Israel Innovation Authority has warned that diversification of tech focus remains a challenge, with hiring and fundraising slowing in some areas, even as the sector continues to be a major driver of growth.
The broader international context includes supportive signals from the United States. At a gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Senator Ted Cruz stressed that every promise God gave to the people of Israel remains valid and identified as a Christian Zionist, reflecting the close alignment between some US political voices and Israeli security concerns. Separately, Israel’s diplomatic outreach continued as Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated King Mohammed VI of Morocco for the United Nations Security Council’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, signaling continued regional diplomacy alongside security concerns.
In other regional dynamics, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development highlighted Israel’s agricultural sector, noting that sustained investment in research and development—accounting for a sizable portion of the budget—has positioned Israel as a leader in ag-tech during wartime. The country also faced a note of tension and risk in the north as the air force recently scaled back the Tel Shamayim balloon program, a project intended to strengthen airspace awareness against threats such as missiles and drones; the move reflects ongoing reassessment of defense assets amid shifting threat perceptions.
Quiet but steady diplomatic and humanitarian activity continues beyond the immediate conflict: Egypt unveiled the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids, a cultural milestone that adds a regional backdrop to ongoing security and economic considerations; and Jewish groups across the Americas and the Caribbean mobilized aid in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, illustrating the broader civic and humanitarian responsibilities tied to Jewish communities worldwide.
As the day unfolds, the overarching theme remains the fragility of stability in the region: a fragile ceasefire with Hizbollah’s rearmament concerns in Lebanon, ongoing domestic legal and political transitions within Israel, and a US policy environment that remains strongly allied with Israeli security objectives. Authorities warn that the risk of escalation persists if disinformation, missteps, or uncoordinated action deepen mistrust or misread intent. Public leaders on all sides say it is essential to keep channels open, de-escalate where possible, and adhere to commitments that support civilian safety, hostage families, and regional stability.
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.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-872495
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-872494
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872492
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872491
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b14i11vry11x
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872489
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-rolls-out-tax-benefits-to-lure-back-tech-talent-and-investments-after-gaza-war/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-872488
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/11/israel-warns-intensifying-attacks-against-hezbollah_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-years-of-praying-freed-hostage-bar-kuperstein-returns-home-to-holon/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872486
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sk1acqb111e
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-idf-legal-chief-tomer-yerushalmi-found-alive-after-frantic-beachside-search/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872485
https://t.me/newssil/178084
<a href="h
Lebanon Hezbollah rearmament risks fresh Israeli strikes
Military Advocate General resigns amid leak scandal
Remains of hostages delivered via Red Cross
The time is now 3:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good afternoon. Here is your hourly update on the Middle East and related global developments as of 3:00 PM.
Israel signalled it could intensify operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, calling the Iran-backed group a continuing threat as it reconstitutes its strength. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz voiced concern that Hezbollah has been rearming and that the Lebanese state has not done enough to curb it. Despite a 2024 ceasefire, Israeli forces remain in five southern Lebanon zones and continue regular strikes. Western intelligence sources cited by The Jerusalem Post say Hezbollah is rebuilding far more quickly than the Lebanese Army can disarm it, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and the potential for renewed fighting if conditions deteriorate further.
In Jerusalem, attention remains on the leadership of the military justice system after the resignation of the Military Advocate General, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, following a leak controversy linked to the Sde Teiman detention facility. Tomer-Yerushalmi went missing for several hours last weekend and was later found alive along a beach near Tel Aviv. She is to be questioned as part of a criminal investigation into the leak. Defense Minister Israel Katz has met with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to discuss candidates for the MAG post, with Zamir signaling a preference that the next MAG come from outside the current MAG’s circle, though the Military Justice Law requires a military attorney with at least seven years of legal experience. Retired Brigadier General Doron Ben Barak is among those viewed as a leading candidate; the process is ongoing, and President Herzog urged the public to lower tensions as the facts come to light.
On the humanitarian front, Israel received the remains of three hostages via the Red Cross, with Israel stating Hamas must honor its commitments under the ceasefire and return all captives. Israel also rejected a Hamas proposal to evacuate about 200 terrorists from Rafah, arguing the move would undermine the terms of the agreement and endanger Israeli civilians and hostage families. Separately, families of hostages killed in Gaza were laid to rest in southern Israel, with public figures including President Isaac Herzog offering condolences and acknowledging the government’s responsibility for the safety of captives. In other human stories, two freed hostages returned home in recent days—Bar Kuperstein to Holon after two years in captivity, and Alon Ohel, who underwent eye and orthopedic procedures after his release—highlighting the personal toll of the conflict and the ongoing healing process for families.
Israel’s domestic policy agenda also centers on its economy and the high-tech sector. In a bid to reverse the well-documented brain drain and attract back talent and investment after the Gaza war, the government unveiled a tax reform package. Core elements include a uniform carried-interest tax rate of about 27 percent for investment funds, exemptions from value-added tax on carried interest for foreign and Israeli investors, and exemptions from capital gains tax for foreign funds on direct high-tech investments. Returning employees from relocation abroad will be exempt from taxes on income earned outside Israel, and there will be mechanisms to offset foreign taxes against Israeli liabilities. The reform aims to restore tax certainty and streamline processes for multinational companies, investment funds, and startups, as part of a broader effort to sustain the high-tech sector, which accounts for a significant share of GDP and exports. The Israel Innovation Authority has warned that diversification of tech focus remains a challenge, with hiring and fundraising slowing in some areas, even as the sector continues to be a major driver of growth.
The broader international context includes supportive signals from the United States. At a gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Senator Ted Cruz stressed that every promise God gave to the people of Israel remains valid and identified as a Christian Zionist, reflecting the close alignment between some US political voices and Israeli security concerns. Separately, Israel’s diplomatic outreach continued as Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated King Mohammed VI of Morocco for the United Nations Security Council’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, signaling continued regional diplomacy alongside security concerns.
In other regional dynamics, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development highlighted Israel’s agricultural sector, noting that sustained investment in research and development—accounting for a sizable portion of the budget—has positioned Israel as a leader in ag-tech during wartime. The country also faced a note of tension and risk in the north as the air force recently scaled back the Tel Shamayim balloon program, a project intended to strengthen airspace awareness against threats such as missiles and drones; the move reflects ongoing reassessment of defense assets amid shifting threat perceptions.
Quiet but steady diplomatic and humanitarian activity continues beyond the immediate conflict: Egypt unveiled the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids, a cultural milestone that adds a regional backdrop to ongoing security and economic considerations; and Jewish groups across the Americas and the Caribbean mobilized aid in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, illustrating the broader civic and humanitarian responsibilities tied to Jewish communities worldwide.
As the day unfolds, the overarching theme remains the fragility of stability in the region: a fragile ceasefire with Hizbollah’s rearmament concerns in Lebanon, ongoing domestic legal and political transitions within Israel, and a US policy environment that remains strongly allied with Israeli security objectives. Authorities warn that the risk of escalation persists if disinformation, missteps, or uncoordinated action deepen mistrust or misread intent. Public leaders on all sides say it is essential to keep channels open, de-escalate where possible, and adhere to commitments that support civilian safety, hostage families, and regional stability.
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.
SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-872495
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-872494
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872492
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872491
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b14i11vry11x
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872489
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-rolls-out-tax-benefits-to-lure-back-tech-talent-and-investments-after-gaza-war/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-872488
https://www.al-monitor.com/__%3C%21--%20THEME%20DEBUG%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20THEME%20HOOK%3A%20%27views_view_field%27%20--%3E_%3C%21--%20BEGIN%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E_/originals/2025/11/israel-warns-intensifying-attacks-against-hezbollah_%3C%21--%20END%20OUTPUT%20from%20%27core/themes/stable9/templates/views/views-view-field.html.twig%27%20--%3E__
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-years-of-praying-freed-hostage-bar-kuperstein-returns-home-to-holon/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872486
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sk1acqb111e
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-idf-legal-chief-tomer-yerushalmi-found-alive-after-frantic-beachside-search/
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-872485
https://t.me/newssil/178084
<a href="h
Comments
In Channel
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States00:00
00:00
x
