Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-12 at 19:06
Update: 2025-11-12
Description
HEADLINES
Gulf states balk at Gaza stabilization plan
West Bank drill boosts IDF readiness
US Israel seal AI drone onshore alliance
The time is now 2:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Here is the latest hourly update on the Middle East and related global developments.
The United Arab Emirates voiced concern over Turkish and Qatari involvement in the plans circulating around a Gaza stabilization effort led by the Trump administration. UAE officials say they have not yet seen a clear framework for any stabilization force and, given that, they are unlikely to participate. The stance signals how Gulf states weigh security implications, regional alliances, and the possibility of multinational arrangements in Gaza while seeking assurance on operational clarity and accountability.
US intelligence collected last year raised questions inside the White House and the intelligence community about whether Israeli officials discussed tactics that could involve placing Palestinians in Gaza tunnels believed to contain weapons or explosives. The information was circulated and analyzed in the closing weeks of the Biden administration. Israel has publicly stated that it prohibits the use of civilians as human shields, and the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is examining related suspicions. The disclosures underscore long-standing debates over wartime conduct and the handling of civilian safety in Gaza.
In the West Bank, the military reported a tense sequence of events following a wave of settler violence. Three of four Israeli suspects arrested over a major arson attack near two Palestinian villages were released after a night in custody. IDF officials condemned the incidents as unacceptable and said such acts divert resources from protecting communities and pursuing counterterrorism. The United Nations noted a spike in settler-related violence, with hundreds of incidents recorded in October alone, while Israeli defense authorities tallied hundreds more nationalist crimes since the start of the year. Military leaders emphasized the need for stronger tools and measures to curb extremism, including expanded use of restraining orders and other authorities, as part of a broader strategy to maintain security in the West Bank.
The army also completed a major three-day drill in the West Bank involving the Judea and Samaria Division and the new 96th Gilad Division, designated to secure Israel’s Jordanian border. The exercise simulated dozens of extreme scenarios, including multiple terror threats, urban combat, and mass-casualty responses, drawing on lessons learned from the October 7 experiences. Military leaders described the drill as unprecedented and said it reinforced the importance of rapid, integrated action across the IDF, police, and emergency services to deter threats at the outset.
On the Lebanon border, the IDF reaffirmed that the barrier will remain on Israel’s side, with additional sections reportedly extending beyond the UN-demarcated Blue Line in some accounts. The wall’s positioning reflects ongoing concerns about cross-border threats and the broader security architecture along northern frontiers.
Regional diplomacy also took a technological turn. A US defense contract awarded to an Israeli startup will see AI-enabled “one-way” attack drones developed in the United States, with XTEND establishing a Tampa, Florida, hub to support manufacture and deployment. The move aligns with Washington’s objective to onshore drone supply chains and deepen security cooperation with Israel.
In other developments, Germany announced the arrest of a Hamas-linked suspect tied to networks suspected of supplying weapons for planned European attacks. The case highlights continued international counterterrorism efforts against Hamas networks beyond the Gaza theater.
On the domestic front, the broader political landscape in Israel remains focused on legislative issues tied to national service and security. Reports on the drafting framework discussed by coalition partners, and the political maneuvering around ultra-Orthodox conscription exemptions, reflect ongoing tensions as lawmakers weigh balance between security obligations and social commitments. Some coalition voices warn that any bill must withstand high court scrutiny, while others argue for a pragmatic path to ensure manpower for ongoing operations.
The broader US policy environment continues to intersect with the region. The Treasury Department designated 32 entities and individuals across Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine for involvement in Iran’s missile and drone programs. Officials say these sanctions target networks that threaten US and allied personnel in the Middle East and threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea, aiming to constrain Tehran’s ability to advance ballistic missiles and drone capabilities.
Iranian developments also feature prominently. The IAEA reported that Iran’s uranium stockpile remains of concern, with inspections at 13 nuclear facilities so far, focusing on locations not attacked in recent events. The agency notes progress in its monitoring, while still underscoring unresolved questions about the country’s broader nuclear program. In parallel, Iran’s water crisis continues to worsen, with Tehran’s regional water company reporting a substantial drop in water levels, intensifying domestic pressures.
Morocco’s recent decision to reopen air travel for Israelis marks a notable shift in regional travel norms. Beginning tomorrow, Israelis will be able to visit the country again, signaling a normalization rhythm within North Africa as security and regional ties evolve.
On the NATO-ally front, discussions and contentions persist around US and European responses to developments in Gaza and the broader Middle East theater. Meanwhile, US domestic political reports include a release of emails connected to high-profile figures involved in past investigations, which has drawn responses from White House officials noting partisan framing, as political dynamics continue to intersect foreign policy discourse.
In relation to Gaza and humanitarian access, Israel has reported ongoing countermeasures against cross-border threats, while the broader international community continues to assess potential gaps or failures in ceasefire monitoring and civilian protection. Israel’s leadership emphasizes the dual aims of defending civilians and preventing escalation, with military and security agencies maintaining vigilance across multiple fronts.
Also reflecting the international security environment, a period of intensified attention centers on the intersecting currents of diplomacy, technology, and law—ranging from stabilization plans to the monitoring of arms proliferation and the protection of civilians in conflict zones. The coming days are likely to bring further clarifications on how these strands influence regional stability and alliance dynamics, including Washington’s strategic posture in the Middle East and its cooperation with allied governments.
That is the latest update. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as events unfold.
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-873665
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-873664
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-873663
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-873661
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-873659
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-873658
https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-873657
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-873654
https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-265000-trip-report-discloses-transit-ministers-lavish-travel-budget/
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-says-lebanon-border-wall-to-stay-on-israels-side/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-873653
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-873652
https://www.al-monitor.com/origin
Gulf states balk at Gaza stabilization plan
West Bank drill boosts IDF readiness
US Israel seal AI drone onshore alliance
The time is now 2:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Here is the latest hourly update on the Middle East and related global developments.
The United Arab Emirates voiced concern over Turkish and Qatari involvement in the plans circulating around a Gaza stabilization effort led by the Trump administration. UAE officials say they have not yet seen a clear framework for any stabilization force and, given that, they are unlikely to participate. The stance signals how Gulf states weigh security implications, regional alliances, and the possibility of multinational arrangements in Gaza while seeking assurance on operational clarity and accountability.
US intelligence collected last year raised questions inside the White House and the intelligence community about whether Israeli officials discussed tactics that could involve placing Palestinians in Gaza tunnels believed to contain weapons or explosives. The information was circulated and analyzed in the closing weeks of the Biden administration. Israel has publicly stated that it prohibits the use of civilians as human shields, and the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is examining related suspicions. The disclosures underscore long-standing debates over wartime conduct and the handling of civilian safety in Gaza.
In the West Bank, the military reported a tense sequence of events following a wave of settler violence. Three of four Israeli suspects arrested over a major arson attack near two Palestinian villages were released after a night in custody. IDF officials condemned the incidents as unacceptable and said such acts divert resources from protecting communities and pursuing counterterrorism. The United Nations noted a spike in settler-related violence, with hundreds of incidents recorded in October alone, while Israeli defense authorities tallied hundreds more nationalist crimes since the start of the year. Military leaders emphasized the need for stronger tools and measures to curb extremism, including expanded use of restraining orders and other authorities, as part of a broader strategy to maintain security in the West Bank.
The army also completed a major three-day drill in the West Bank involving the Judea and Samaria Division and the new 96th Gilad Division, designated to secure Israel’s Jordanian border. The exercise simulated dozens of extreme scenarios, including multiple terror threats, urban combat, and mass-casualty responses, drawing on lessons learned from the October 7 experiences. Military leaders described the drill as unprecedented and said it reinforced the importance of rapid, integrated action across the IDF, police, and emergency services to deter threats at the outset.
On the Lebanon border, the IDF reaffirmed that the barrier will remain on Israel’s side, with additional sections reportedly extending beyond the UN-demarcated Blue Line in some accounts. The wall’s positioning reflects ongoing concerns about cross-border threats and the broader security architecture along northern frontiers.
Regional diplomacy also took a technological turn. A US defense contract awarded to an Israeli startup will see AI-enabled “one-way” attack drones developed in the United States, with XTEND establishing a Tampa, Florida, hub to support manufacture and deployment. The move aligns with Washington’s objective to onshore drone supply chains and deepen security cooperation with Israel.
In other developments, Germany announced the arrest of a Hamas-linked suspect tied to networks suspected of supplying weapons for planned European attacks. The case highlights continued international counterterrorism efforts against Hamas networks beyond the Gaza theater.
On the domestic front, the broader political landscape in Israel remains focused on legislative issues tied to national service and security. Reports on the drafting framework discussed by coalition partners, and the political maneuvering around ultra-Orthodox conscription exemptions, reflect ongoing tensions as lawmakers weigh balance between security obligations and social commitments. Some coalition voices warn that any bill must withstand high court scrutiny, while others argue for a pragmatic path to ensure manpower for ongoing operations.
The broader US policy environment continues to intersect with the region. The Treasury Department designated 32 entities and individuals across Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine for involvement in Iran’s missile and drone programs. Officials say these sanctions target networks that threaten US and allied personnel in the Middle East and threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea, aiming to constrain Tehran’s ability to advance ballistic missiles and drone capabilities.
Iranian developments also feature prominently. The IAEA reported that Iran’s uranium stockpile remains of concern, with inspections at 13 nuclear facilities so far, focusing on locations not attacked in recent events. The agency notes progress in its monitoring, while still underscoring unresolved questions about the country’s broader nuclear program. In parallel, Iran’s water crisis continues to worsen, with Tehran’s regional water company reporting a substantial drop in water levels, intensifying domestic pressures.
Morocco’s recent decision to reopen air travel for Israelis marks a notable shift in regional travel norms. Beginning tomorrow, Israelis will be able to visit the country again, signaling a normalization rhythm within North Africa as security and regional ties evolve.
On the NATO-ally front, discussions and contentions persist around US and European responses to developments in Gaza and the broader Middle East theater. Meanwhile, US domestic political reports include a release of emails connected to high-profile figures involved in past investigations, which has drawn responses from White House officials noting partisan framing, as political dynamics continue to intersect foreign policy discourse.
In relation to Gaza and humanitarian access, Israel has reported ongoing countermeasures against cross-border threats, while the broader international community continues to assess potential gaps or failures in ceasefire monitoring and civilian protection. Israel’s leadership emphasizes the dual aims of defending civilians and preventing escalation, with military and security agencies maintaining vigilance across multiple fronts.
Also reflecting the international security environment, a period of intensified attention centers on the intersecting currents of diplomacy, technology, and law—ranging from stabilization plans to the monitoring of arms proliferation and the protection of civilians in conflict zones. The coming days are likely to bring further clarifications on how these strands influence regional stability and alliance dynamics, including Washington’s strategic posture in the Middle East and its cooperation with allied governments.
That is the latest update. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as events unfold.
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-873665
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-873664
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-873663
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-873661
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-873659
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-873658
https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-873657
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-873654
https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-265000-trip-report-discloses-transit-ministers-lavish-travel-budget/
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-says-lebanon-border-wall-to-stay-on-israels-side/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-873653
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-873652
https://www.al-monitor.com/origin
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