HEADLINES
US pauses visa lottery after Brown attack
Bondi attack kills 15, chant banned
Netanyahu to brief Trump on Iran actions

The time is now 10:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

At 10:00 AM, this is a summary of evolving developments across the Middle East and related global issues.

The Trump administration is moving to pause the United States visa lottery program after an attack at Brown University that authorities attribute to Claudio Neves Valente, who reportedly entered the United States in 2017 through the visa lottery, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Officials say the pause reflects renewed scrutiny of immigrant visa programs in the wake of security concerns and pushes to ensure screening measures keep pace with evolving threats.

In Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says the first phase of a plan to confiscate weapons south of the Litani River will end within a few days, marking a significant early step in disarmament efforts alongside broader security calculations in the region.

A South African voice from the era of apartheid, Regent Xami, argues that indigenous communities should support Israel, saying the term apartheid has been misapplied in debates about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and emphasizing a sense of kinship between indigenous nations and Jews. The perspective adds a layer to cross-cultural dialogue over sovereignty and security in the hemisphere.

On the international front, NBC, citing unnamed sources, reports that during an upcoming visit to the United States, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to brief President Trump on the possibility of further Israeli actions against Iran, in the context of Tehran’s efforts to expand its ballistic missile program and to rebuild air defenses. The reporting underscores ongoing debates over Iran’s capabilities and the balance of deterrence and diplomacy.

Turning to Australia, the state of New South Wales plans to ban the chant “Globalize the intifada” in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, as part of a broader crackdown on hate speech. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the country’s Jewish community as unbreakable during a national memorial period intended to honor 15 victims of the attack. Authorities have heightened security, with memorials and moments of reflection across the country.

The Bondi attack itself—the deadliest in Australia in nearly three decades—left 15 people dead and many injured. Investigations focus on the attackers’ movements and possible connections to Islamist extremist networks, as investigators from a joint anti-terror team pursue leads overseas and domestically.

In Sydney, an Israeli man named Gefen Biton is reported to have confronted the attacker, saving others at the scene but sustaining injuries. His actions have drawn widespread admiration and a fundraising surge that has reached several million dollars in a short period.

Australia’s defense and intelligence communities are coordinating to trace the attackers’ contacts and movements, including any overseas ties, as part of a broad counterterrorism effort.

Back in the region, the Israeli military says it continues to pursue operations in Gaza, with Palestinian sources reporting ongoing demolitions of structures in eastern Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip as part of military activity in the area. The situation remains volatile, with humanitarian concerns shaping international responses and calls for ceasefires and further de-escalation.

In Israel, authorities opened an investigation after a woman was filmed blowing out Hanukkah candles at a Tel Aviv mall. If prosecutors determine religious desecration laws were violated, the act could carry a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison, though no arrests had been reported at the time of the latest updates.

IDF authorities announced the formation of an artificial intelligence division designed to draw on Israel’s tech sector to enhance decision-making and operational planning, signaling an emphasis on integrating advanced technology into defense leadership and crisis response.

These developments come as governments weigh national security, diplomatic posture, and the protection of civilian life across a volatile landscape, with policymakers in Washington and allied capitals balancing deterrence, alliance commitments, and the imperative of preventing further violence.

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/international/article-880823
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-880822
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-880667
https://t.me/abualiexpress/110977
https://www.timesofisrael.com/australian-state-to-ban-globalize-the-intifada-chant-in-wake-of-bondi-terror-attack/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-880551
https://t.me/abualiexpress/110976
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyfxmmvxwl
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjg400d7xbe
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-880818
https://t.me/abualiexpress/110975
https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-open-investigation-after-woman-blows-out-hanukkah-candles-in-tel-aviv-mall/