HEADLINES
Gaza border breaches as militants approach troops
Germany to resume arms sales on ceasefire
Emirates inks $38B Boeing 777-9 order

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 11:00 in the morning, this is a snapshot of the Middle East in a moment of continuing tension and shifting politics. Two separate breaks of the Gaza Yellow Line were confirmed by the Israeli military today as Hamas-aligned militants crossed the border zone, with forces reporting the planting of suspicious objects near troops and in one case an armed approach toward soldiers. The IDF says it acted to neutralize the threats in both incidents, and there were no immediate reports of Israeli casualties in those exchanges.

Along Israel’s border with Egypt, the IDF says it is fighting a sophisticated smuggling pipeline built around drone capabilities. In the past month the army has downed 130 drones and seized 84 weapons, including firearms such as machine guns and assault rifles, as smugglers push payloads toward Israel on the wing of drone technology. The smuggling operation is described as large and dynamic, with estimates suggesting hundreds of operators may be involved. To counter these threats, Israel has deployed electronic warfare, drones, and an Air Traffic Control approach to the Egypt border, while Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a “war” on drone-smuggling and pushed for new security zones and legislative changes to close gaps in licensing and policing of drones. The Border is a moving target, and officials say new methods will continue to emerge from smugglers, who adapt quickly to security measures.

In the Gaza Strip, the toll of war and the aftermath of years of fighting continue to be tallied. Palestinian health authorities say two people were killed by Israeli fire in separate incidents in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military says one man crossed into an area of Gaza under Israeli control and planted suspicious devices near troops, while another approached forces in a different area and was killed as a threat. Israel notes that these incidents occur within the framework of a ceasefire arrangement that has largely held in recent months, even as the casualties mount on the Palestinian side. The Gaza health ministry places the death toll in the ceasefire period on the rise, while Israel updates its own counts for military fatalities on its side.

On the broader diplomatic and strategic front, Germany announced it would resume a portion of arms sales to Israel, contingent on two conditions: the ceasefire holding and humanitarian aid flowing in a large-scale, well-coordinated fashion. Berlin will lift the suspension on November 24 and return to a case-by-case review of exports, maintaining a stance that supports Israel’s security needs while emphasizing the importance of a sustainable humanitarian arrangement on the ground. Berlin’s decision underscores the delicate balance Western states seek between security commitments and international humanitarian expectations, as Germany has been a staunch ally of Israel and a principal European arms supplier.

In London, six anti-Israel activists faced trial in Bristol on charges connected to an August 2024 break-in at the Elbit Systems facility. The defendants—alleged members of a protest group that has faced legal sanctions—are accused of aggravated burglary, property damage, and violent disorder in an incident that drew protests and debate over the boundaries of political expression and defense industry security.

On the security and strategic front beyond the immediate battlefield, an account from Reuters reports that a local Palestinian armed group leader was killed near Deir Al-Balah by what it described as an Israeli undercover operation. The Palestinian faction did not issue a direct threat of retaliation. The Reuters report adds to the long record of cross-border incidents that punctuate the ceasefire period, with the health ministries in Gaza noting continued casualties and Israeli reports of militant activity in Gaza.

Turning to regional diplomacy and defense industrial news, the Dubai Airshow featured a notable arms development: Emirates Airlines placed an order for 65 Boeing 777-9 jets, a $38 billion commitment including engines, despite delivery delays to 2027. The move cements Emirates’ dependence on wide-body intercontinental capacity and signals continued faith in Boeing’s technology, even as the global aviation market experiences shifts in supply chains and demand. Emirates also announced that it would begin rolling out in-flight Wi-Fi via Starlink, aligning with broader moves toward connected air travel.

In the realm of science and health, Israeli researchers have announced a breakthrough in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, research. A team led by Tel Aviv University and collaborating institutions identified a microRNA—microRNA-126—that is produced by muscle cells and transmitted to motor neurons, acting as a messenger to limit the harmful accumulation of a protein known as TDP-43. By supplementing this microRNA in cellular and animal models, the researchers observed halted degeneration and even partial restoration of nerve-muscle communication. The work, which centers on gene regulation, is described as a potential stepping-stone toward gene therapies for ALS, with a path toward clinical trials identified by the researchers. The study adds to Israel’s robust program in biotechnology and neurodegenerative disease research.

In other reporting from the region, a regional security assessment notes continued Israeli concerns about Hamas’s governance of Gaza and the group’s ability to organize, tax aid, and sustain control as international attention and aid flows fluctuate. The UN and various humanitarian bodies have drawn attention to the broader humanitarian situation in Gaza, including fuel and electricity constraints and the behavior of aid distribution, which the UN describes as essential to avoid a further deterioration of living conditions.

On the political and humanitarian side, an ongoing debate in Israel concerns how to proceed with investigations into the October 7, 2023 attack. The government has signaled it will pursue a commission of inquiry with broad investigative powers, while the High Court has signaled it expects a state-level inquiry with robust independence. The government insists any new body will be independent and capable of issuing findings, but critics argue that the precise mandate and appointment process will determine the legitimacy and effectiveness of any inquiry into the disaster. The court has indicated support for some form of comprehensive inquiry, but has left room for government definitions of mandate and structure. The topic remains a flashpoint in Israeli politics as authorities weigh accountability against the immediate demands of national security and civil resilience.

On the diplomatic and political front in the United States, US discussions surrounding arms sales, regional security alignments, and the trajectory of Saudi-US relations continue to influence the broader regional balance. The upcoming visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington is framed by debates over defense cooperation, trade, and security arrangements, as Washington weighs the sensitivities of engaging with a Gulf monarch while balancing concerns about regional stability, human rights, and the management of strategic competition with Iran. The administration’s stance on weapons transfers, defense collaboration, and the role of allied states in stabilizing the region remains central to policy discussions.

Within the United States’ Jewish community and its ties to Israel, senior officials from Israel’s government met with visiting American leaders, including discussions about antisemitism, security cooperation, and the imperative for a steadfast US-Israel partnership. Israeli officials emphasized the right of Israel to defend itself and thanked American partners for longstanding support, even as concerns about domestic politics and international perceptions of the conflict continue to shape policymaking in Washington and abroad.

Closer to the continent, reports from the UK and Europe highlight ongoing friction surrounding defense facilities and political activism, illustrating how protests and legal actions intersect with discussions over security and defense industry operations in a transatlantic context. At the same time, Israel’s security posture remains anchored in a mix of deterrence, rapid-response capabilities, and international diplomacy aimed at sustaining a sustainable path toward regional stability.

In Mount of Olives news, Israel announced plans to build a 1,500-square-meter visitor education center at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, a project aimed at strengthening security awareness and informing visitors about Jewish heritage. The center, with completion targeted for 2027, reflects ongoing efforts to integrate cultural heritage with security considerations in a city that witnesses regular security briefings and public interest.

Finally, New York City’s outgoing mayor, Eric Adams, visited Israel and received a warm reception from Israeli leaders who described him as a true friend. The discussions touched on ongoing concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish communities, with Israeli officials urging continued cooperation and clarity in the challenging political environment that follows elections in New York and the broader diaspora.

This hour’s briefing presents a landscape in which security threats, diplomatic maneuvering, and scientific advances intersect with an urgent humanitarian dimension. As events unfold, the global community