HEADLINES
Bondi massacre spurs emergency aliyah surge
Israel Greece Cyprus align on regional energy
US pressures Hamas Iran amid Gaza crisis

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 5:00 PM update. A bullet riddled Quran found outside a Stockholm mosque and an Arabic Swedish bilingual sticker urging Muslims to return to their homeland are under police investigation, a reminder of the volatile mix of religion and extremism that continues to test European security and social cohesion. In Israel, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar used a Hanukkah event in Rishon Lezion to appeal to Jews in Europe, Australia, and North America to consider aliyah in light of what he described as rising antisemitism around the world.

Israel is moving to accelerate emergency aliyah plans in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre in Sydney, where a Dec. 14 attack killed 15 people at a Hanukkah gathering. The government’s Aliyat HaTekuma program is being invoked with new urgency as international travel remains a complex option for many Jewish families seeking safety and a future in Israel. At the same time, the broader question of Gaza’s future continues to be shaped by a pause in movement toward a ceasefire or a Phase II framework, even as both sides maintain their respective positions. US policy aims to shape the next steps, but officials stress that progress has been slow as urgent humanitarian and security concerns play out on the ground.

On the regional front, a trilateral summit involving Israel, Greece, and Cyprus highlights a shared interest in energy cooperation and regional stability, even as Turkey remains a significant factor in the broader diplomatic equation. The gathering reflects ongoing efforts to align regional partners around security and economic priorities, even as Turkey’s role in regional diplomacy remains a key underlying issue for many observers.

In a memorial and remembrance vein, Sydney hosted a ceremony honoring the Bondi attack victims with roughly 10,000 attendees, including senior Australian officials and members of the Jewish community. In Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog and his wife attended a memorial ceremony for the Bondi victims alongside Australians, reflecting a continued show of solidarity between Israel and the Australian Jewish community during this period of heightened alert and mourning.

In security and policing news from the region, an Israeli woman who was rescued from Jericho told investigators she had been in contact with her captor for some time before recognizing he was Palestinian, a case that underscores ongoing security challenges in the area. Separately, defense observers noted that Russia’s claim that its S-500 air defense system can counter F-35 stealth jets is met with skepticism from US and allied sources, illustrating the evolving balance of power and technology that shapes regional defense calculations.

Domestically, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has pressed for a swift resolution to the navy chief appointment, urging the defense minister to finalize the nominee as part of a broader debate over senior leadership appointments within the armed forces. In Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s discussions with President Trump are expected to include updated intelligence on Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, with Netanyahu set to brief the US president to help inform policy decisions going forward.

US political voices continue to call for a firm approach to Hamas. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican who has been critical of Hamas, told NBC that Hamas has not disarmed and is rebuilding its capabilities. He urged President Trump to meet with Netanyahu next week and to set a clear timetable for Hamas to disarm; if Hamas does not accept the deadline, Graham said Israel should be permitted to act with full force. The remarks reflect ongoing cross‑Atlantic debate over how best to manage the Gaza crisis and deter further escalation.

Outside the immediate conflict zone, an Israeli man was killed and his son seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Thailand, a reminder that Israeli travelers continue to face global safety risks in popular destinations. The incident, reported by the Foreign Ministry, underscores the need for vigilance for Israelis abroad amid ongoing security concerns around the world.

In other developments, a power outage in San Francisco on December 20, 2025, triggered by a PG&E substation fire cut a substantial portion of the city’s electricity. The outage disrupted traffic flows and caused Waymo’s fleet of autonomous taxis to halt in several locations, while Tesla vehicles with full self‑driving systems continued to operate. The incident highlights how critical infrastructure failures can disrupt advanced transportation technologies and services that rely on city infrastructure and real‑time data.

Turning to human interest and domestic life, a Modiin family story illustrates how ordinary Israelis adapt to shifting circumstances—an electrical engineer husband and a former banker wife who now practices apitherapy—reflecting broader themes of resilience and diversification within Israeli society, including the ways immigrants and second‑generation families contribute to the country’s evolving economy and culture.

Finally, in the security policy arena, the broader debate over Iran remains central. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s engagement with US leadership continues to emphasize the importance of current intelligence on Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah as Washington and Jerusalem navigate the path ahead in a volatile neighborhood. As events unfold, officials say all sides are watching closely for any signs of movement toward a durable ceasefire and a sustainable political framework for Gaza, even as domestic and regional dynamics insist on continued vigilance and preparation.

This concludes the 5:00 PM update.

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.

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