Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Positions in Southern Lebanon | WATCH

Lebanese media reported that Israel carried out at least five airstrikes across multiple locations in southern Lebanon today (Friday). The Israeli Air Force targeted sites in Jabal Rihan, Jarmak, around Nabatieh north of the Litani River, and near the village of Ansar outside Sidon.

According to the IDF, the raids included a strike on a Hezbollah training facility. The strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing operations against Hezbollah infrastructure in the area. No immediate reports of casualties have been confirmed.

The attacks come amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with the IDF maintaining a state of readiness for further escalations. (Ed note: SIDON in the Bible, Joshua 12:4-6, and Matthew 11:20-22. The point being these places are still as real today as they were back then.)  (Source)

 

Lebanon FM claims: Israel planning major military operation against Lebanon

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji warned Friday that Arab and international officials have cautioned Beirut of an Israeli plan for a large-scale military operation against Lebanon. Speaking to Al Jazeera and quoted by Haaretz, Rajji said Lebanon is strengthening diplomatic ties to defend itself, while sharply criticizing Hezbollah for refusing to disarm. "Hezbollah's weapons have proven ineffective in supporting Gaza and defending Lebanon," Rajji declared, adding that Hezbollah’s actions "brought about the Israeli occupation."

Rajji said Lebanon seeks a return to the ceasefire agreement with Israel, though he expressed pessimism about prospects for peace. He stressed that recent meetings of the international mechanism overseeing the cease-fire should not be mistaken for "traditional" negotiations with Israel. On Iran, Rajji accused Tehran of destabilizing the region. "Iran’s regional policy is a source of instability," he said, adding that its influence on Lebanon is harmful. He urged Tehran to "stop financing an illegal organization," referring to Hezbollah, while noting Lebanon remains open to dialogue if Iran ceases interference in its internal affairs. Iran is a major sponsor of the Hezbollah terrorist organization and in the past has vowed to always support the group.

Iranian officials have criticized Lebanon’s recent decision to disarm the terror group, in line with a ceasefire agreement reached with Israel last year. Despite the disagreements between Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Thursday he accepted an invitation from Rajji to visit Beirut in order to open “a new chapter” in relations. Rajji’s comments came after the IDF announced strikes on a Hezbollah training and qualification compound in southern Lebanon. On Tuesday, Israel carried out strikes on a Radwan training site and launch facility. Israel has struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon even after a ceasefire went into effect last year, due to the fact that the terrorist organization continues to rebuild its military infrastructure and maintain an armed presence near Israel’s northern border.    (Source)

Egyptian President Sisi to visit Washington for Trump meeting, may meet with Netanyahu - report

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will travel to Washington, DC, sometime this month to meet with his US counterpart, President Donald Trump, The National, a UAE state-owned daily newspaper, reported on Friday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may also attend the Trump-hosted meeting.

Subjects to be discussed at the meeting between the US and Egyptian leaders include Egypt's diplomatic relationship with Israel in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. No official date for the visit has been announced yet, but it may fall within the same timeframe as Netanyahu's scheduled trip to meet with Trump at the end of the month.

Axios previously reported last week that the White Houseis attempting to organize a meeting between Netanyahu and Sisi. The two leaders have not officially met since before the start of the Israel-Hamas War, but held a phone call shortly before October's peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Sisi had originally meant to visit Washington in February, but was canceled due to Cairo's opposition to Trump's plans to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan, Al Arabiya reported. (Ed note: Any guesses on how well it will work out if President Trump tries to shove Sisi down Netanyau's throat?) (Source)

Europe Is Preparing for War - And They're No Longer Hiding It

Europe is doing something it hasn't done in generations: preparing openly, urgently, and systematically for a major war on the continent. Not a limited skirmish. Not a border dispute. A large-scale, society-shaking conflict reminiscent of the wars our grandparents and great-grandparents endured.

That warning didn't come from some fringe alarmist. It came directly from the head of NATO, who recently cautioned that the alliance must adopt a "wartime mindset" and be ready for a conflict comparable to the world wars of the 20th century. When the top official responsible for Europe's collective defense uses that kind of language, it's not a slip of the tongue. It's a signal. And across Europe, governments are acting as though they agree.

Europe is experiencing the most aggressive military expansion in more than 30 years. Policymakers aren't simply adding a few extra battalions or refreshing aging equipment -- they are rebuilding the continent's defense posture from the ground up, reversing decades of demobilization and budget cuts.

Consider just a few of the dramatic shifts underway: 

France is expanding its army and restoring military service nearly 30 years after ending conscription. While voluntary for now, the move reflects a growing consensus that France needs a significantly larger reserve of trained personnel. Why? If a peace deal with Russia were anywhere on the horizon, such an expansion would be unnecessary. 

Germany is transforming its military at a pace unseen in its modern history. It plans to dramatically increase the size of the Bundeswehr and pour unprecedented sums into new weapons systems, advanced defense technologies, and logistical capacity. Next year's defense procurement budget is projected to reach record-breaking levels. (Ed note: Very interesting article from Prophecy News Watch, PNW. Does this fit under the category of "wars and rumors of wars?")  (Read More)

Trump signs order to block states from enforcing own AI rules

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at blocking states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence (AI) regulations. "We want to have one central source of approval," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. It will give the Trump administration tools to push back on the most "onerous" state rules, said White House AI adviser David Sacks. The government will not oppose AI regulations around children's safety, he added. The move marks a win for technology giants who have called for US-wide AI legislation as it could have a major impact on America's goal of leading the fast-developing industry.

AI company bosses have argued that state-level regulations could slow innovation and hinder the US in its race against China to dominate the industry, as firms pour billions of dollars into the technology. But the move to pre-empt state laws has drawn opposition. While the US currently has no national laws regulating AI, more than 1,000 separate AI bills have been introduced in states across the US, according to the White House. This year alone, 38 states including California, home to many of the world's biggest technology companies, have adopted some 100 AI regulations, the National Conference of State Legislatures says. Those rules range widely.

One in California requires platforms to regularly remind users they are interacting with a chatbot, in a bid to protect children and teens from potential harms. The state also passed a bill requiring the largest AI developers to lay out plans to limit potential catastrophic risks stemming from their AI models. In North Dakota, a new law would prevent people from using AI-powered robots to stalk or harass others, while Arkansas bars AI content from infringing on intellectual property rights or existing copyright. Oregon brought in a law prohibiting a "non-human entity" including one powered by AI from using licenced medical titles, such as registered nurse.  (Ed note: Anyone else see a problem with putting all the power of AI in the hands of one man or government?)   (Read More)

ISRAEL HUMILIATED: Forced to Pay Billions for Gaza Cleanup as Arabs Refuse

Jerusalem succumbs to US pressure, agreeing to foot the bill for clearing 68 million tons of debris, while Qatar compares Israel to Russia and declares: "We won’t sign the check."

A new report reveals a significant diplomatic and financial blow to Israel, as the US Administration has successfully pressured Jerusalem into accepting full responsibility for the physical and financial clearing of debris in Gaza, a move flatly rejected by Arab nations.

The "Check" Israel Must Write: While the US demanded Israel pay for the cleanup, the Prime Minister of Qatarpublicly humiliated Israel in an interview with Tucker Carlson. Comparing Israel to Russia, he declared, "Just as Moscow is expected to repair Ukraine, Israel must rebuild Gaza," adding that Qatar "will not sign checks to repair what someone else destroyed." The following day? Washington handed the order, and Israel capitulated.

The Cost of Destruction: 

*The Agreement: According to a senior political official, Israel has capitulated to American demands to fund and execute the removal of debris, starting with Rafah.
*The Scale: The debris is estimated at 68 million tons, equivalent to the weight of 186 Empire State Buildings.
*The Price Tag: The immediate cost for the Rafah pilot is hundreds of millions of shekels, with the total project estimated at billions.
*Turkish Troops: The US is aggressively pushing to include Turkish soldiers in the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Israel views this as a "red line" (yehareg v'al ya'avor), yet Trump’s envoy is pushing for it.
*Hostile Envoy: Trump’s special envoy, Tom Barrack, is viewed by Jerusalem as a "hostile element." He recently insulted Israel at a forum in Doha, suggesting that "benevolent monarchies" work better in the Middle East than Israel's democray.

Rebuilding Before Disarming? Israeli officials fear the US is prioritizing the "vision of reconstruction" to create a success story in Rafah, rather than ensuring the disarmament of Hamas. Israel has conditioned the move to "Phase 2" on the return of the body of soldier Ran Goili, but fears the US will force them to proceed regardless.

Trump’s "Legendary" Council President Trump announced he will unveil a "Peace Council" in early 2026 to oversee Gaza, composed of "Kings, Presidents, and Prime Ministers," further internationalizing the management of the strip. (Source)

Report: Israel agreed to US demand to pay for massive Gaza rubble-clearing operation

The US demanded this week from Israel that it pay for the clearing of rubble from the Gaza Strip, and to be responsible for the massive engineering operation, Ynet reports, citing a senior Israeli official. Israel agreed to the request, according to the report, which will cost up to one billion shekels. The Prime Minister’s Office does not respond to requests for comment. According to The Wall Street Journal, there are 68 million tons of debris in Gaza, according to the UN Development Program.

Earlier this week, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday that his country will not foot the bill for rebuilding Gaza. “We are not the ones who are going to write the check to rebuild what others destroyed,” Al Thani said during an onstage interview at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference. “When you are talking about Gaza, Israel flattened this land.”

According to the Ynet report, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week to try to convince Israel to more on rebuilding and less on how to disarm Hamas. Netanyahu has been saying in private conversations that the task will ultimately fall on Israeli forces, according to the official.   (Source) 

White House Confirms Secret "Quiet Planning" for Gaza Phase Two, Leaving Israel in the Dark

The White House confirmed "quiet planning" for Phase Two of the Gaza agreement, including a multinational force, even as Israel expresses concern about being excluded from details and insists on the return of the final missing hostage.

White House Spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt addressed reporters today, Thursday, confirming that the US is actively engaged in advanced political planning for "Phase Two" of the Gaza agreement, intended to pave the way for a resolution and rehabilitation of the Strip.

Leavitt clarified the status of the previously captured individuals, stating, "All living hostages have been returned, and all but one of the bodies have also been returned, and we are of course still working to bring back the last one," referring to the captive soldier, Ran Gvili.

Regarding the next steps in the peace process, Leavitt confirmed that the US is engaged in what she called "quiet planning" for Phase Two. She explained that the details of the transition, which include establishing a "Peace Council," an International Stabilization Force (ISF), and a Palestinian technocratic government, are being handled with extreme discretion. (Read More)

The Cairo paradox: Why Israel must re-evaluate the strategic logic of the Leviathan deal

For Jerusalem to sign a $35 billion economic bailout while its security demands regarding the border remain unmet is a failure of statecraft.

In the coming days, the Israeli government is expected to ratify the largest export agreement in its history: a $35 billion expansion of natural-gas supplies to Egypt from the Leviathan reservoir. Framed by proponents in Israel and the United States as a masterstroke of regional integration, the deal is predicated on a neoliberal theory of “instrumental interdependence”—the belief that binding Cairo’s economic survival to Israeli resources will purchase stability on the southern border.

However, an analysis of the current geopolitical landscape suggests this policy is decoupled from reality. While the Israeli Ministry of Energy finalizes pipelines, the Ministry of Defense is grappling with a security vacuum in the Sinai that has allowed nearly 900 drone infiltration incidents in just three months. Simultaneously, the diplomatic veneer has cracked, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi publicly labeling Israel an “enemy” at the recent Doha summit. By rushing to approve this accord without stringent security conditionality, Israel risks subsidizing a regime that is increasingly hostile in rhetoric and ineffective in border governance.

The urgency behind this deal is driven by Egypt’s acute energy crisis, not Israel’s economic necessity. The collapse of Egypt’s Zohr gas field—plagued by water infiltration and mismanagement—has turned a would-be energy hub into a desperate importer, forcing the el-Sisi regime to implement rolling blackouts that threaten domestic stability.

...For Israel to sign a $35 billion economic bailout while its security demands regarding the border remain unmet is a failure of statecraft. It signals that Israel is willing to function as a utility provider to a neighbor that permits its territory to serve as a launchpad for attrition warfare. (Ed note: Great article, a must read.)  (Read More)

Iran's Araghchi to visit Beirut after Lebanese foreign minister declines trip to Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Beirut for talks following a formal invitation from Lebanon’s FM, after the latter declined to visit Tehran due to "current conditions."

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Thursday he would travel to Beirut for talks after receiving a formal invitation from his Lebanese counterpart, who a day earlier had declined to visit Tehran for direct talks. On Wednesday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji said "current conditions" prevented him from traveling to Tehran, but stressed that the move did not mean rejection of dialogue with Iran.

Raji told Reuters late on Wednesday that he had invited Araghchi "in a formal diplomatic letter to come to Beirut to hold talks. Araghchi said on X/Twitter that he would "gladly accept the invitation to come to Beirut," although he said he found Raji's position "bemusing." He said foreign ministers of countries with "full diplomatic relations" did not need a neutral venue to meet.

"Subjected to Israeli occupation and blatant 'ceasefire' violations, I fully understand why my esteemed Lebanese counterpart is not prepared to visit Tehran," Araghchi added. Raji said on Wednesday that Lebanon was ready to open a new phase of relations with Iran based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and non-interference. He added that no strong state could be built unless the government held the exclusive right to bear arms, in an apparent reference to calls to disarm Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned Lebanese terror group.   (Source)

IDF says it struck Hezbollah training facility, other sites in south Lebanon

Lebanese state media says about a dozen sites targeted, including some north of the Litani River, in latest IDF strikes; no casualties reported.

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that it carried out a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites, including a training facility used by the terror group’s elite Radwan Force. It marked the second time in the past week that the IDF has struck Hezbollah sites in Lebanon. According to the military, the Radwan Force “training and qualification compound” was used by the terror group to plan and advance attacks against Israel.

In addition, the IDF said it struck other Hezbollah sites in several areas of southern Lebanon. “Holding military drills and establishing terror infrastructure for activity against Israel constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and a threat to the State of Israel,” the military said.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the “heavy raids” on Friday hit around a dozen locations, including some north of the Litani River, which runs about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border with Israel. There were no reports of casualties in the strikes. On Tuesday, the IDF said it struck a separate Radwan training site in southern Lebanon, along with other Hezbollah sites. (Read More)

Speaker Johnson ‘The Bible is clear: Judea and Samaria are the Land of Israel’

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), speaker of the House of Representatives, told visiting Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan in Washington this week that “Judea and Samaria are the Land of Israel,” Dagan’s office stated on Thursday. “I visited Samaria—both as a member of Congress before becoming speaker, and again last summer as speaker with a small group of colleagues,” Johnson told Dagan, according to a Hebrew readout the Samaria Regional Council provided to JNS on Thursday.

“The Bible is clear: Judea and Samaria are the Land of Israel. I do not understand why we debate this anew every single day,” Johnson said, adding, “The people of Israel know who stands with them in this moment of crisis. They recognize it, and they value it.”

During their meeting, Dagan presented Johnson with copper artwork depicting biblical sites in northern Samaria, including Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus (Shechem), Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, and ancient pillars of Samaria (Sebastia), the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. “We are fighting together for justice. Judea and Samaria are justice, and they are security. No nation on earth has a connection to its homeland as deep as the Jewish people have to the Land of Israel—especially to Judea and Samaria, the land of the Bible,” Dagan told the speaker. (Read More)

Hamas source to ToI: We’ll hold talks on disarming, but we can’t be forced to give up guns

In rare engagement with Israeli media, source in terror group argues weapons are used to ‘liberate’ Palestinians from Israeli rule, and therefore can’t be ceded until statehood secured.

DOHA, Qatar — A Hamas source told The Times of Israel on Sunday that the group will only agree to give up its weapons through negotiations that result in the establishment of a Palestinian state. “This cannot be done by force or ultimatums. Israel used all of its military might for two years [to try and disarm Hamas], and it didn’t work,” the Hamas source said in a rare engagement with an Israeli media outlet.

The ability of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan to advance past its first phase largely hinges on Hamas agreeing to disarm, with Israel pledging to resume the war if the Palestinian terror group doesn’t agree to give up its weapons willingly. Hamas’s readiness to discuss the issue may be a break from its long-standing insistence that disarmament demands are a nonstarter, but the steep conditions that the Hamas source set for progress are sure to further complicate Washington’s efforts to sustain the ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas has managed to reassert its dominance in the near-half of the Strip from which the IDF has withdrawn since the Trump plan’s phase one truce and hostage release deal was inked on October 9. (Read More)

Not in time for Christmas: Trump delays Gaza peace board unveiling to early 2026

US officials hoped president could announce transition to 2nd phase of peace plan before end of year, but insistence on having foreign force disarm Hamas is likely deterring potential partners.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will announce the members of the Board of Peace overseeing the postwar management of Gaza early next year, in the latest sign the effort is stalling. Last week, US officials told The Times of Israel that Washington was aiming to announce a transition to phase two of Trump’s Gaza peace deal and the members of the various bodies involved by Christmas.

But conversations are still in their initial stages regarding phase two and Hamas’s disarmament, which Israel says is a prerequisite for the reconstruction of Gaza in addition to the return of the last deceased hostage. The US has also yet to convince any country to join the International Stabilization Force that will be needed to replace Israeli forces in the eastern half of Gaza that Israel still controls.

As the two-week deadline US officials gave to reporters on December 4 for announcing the phase two transition approaches, a reporter in the White House asked Trump when he would announce the makeup of the Board of Peace. “We’ll do it early next year,” Trump responded, all but shutting down speculation that an announcement will be made earlier. He reiterated that the board will be headed by him and made up of many world leaders who have expressed interest in joining. So far, none of those people have come forward.  (Read More)

Israel and US clash over Turkish troop deployment in Gaza

A senior Israeli source told i24NEWS on Tuesday, “The foot of a Turkish soldier will not set foot in Gaza.

Tensions are rising between Israel and the United States over Turkey’s push to send forces to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), i24NEWS has learned. While Washington appears open to Ankara’s request, Israeli officials are reportedly taking a firm stance against any Turkish military presence in the territory.

A senior Israeli source told i24NEWS on Tuesday, “The foot of a Turkish soldier will not set foot in Gaza.” The warning comes amid heightened political sensitivity in Israel, given President Erdogan’s past ties to senior Hamas figures and the visibility of the issue in an election year. The dispute follows Ankara’s announcement that it has finalized preparations to deploy troops to Gaza. Turkey has played a prominent role in the first phase of the Gaza agreement, including efforts to secure the return of hostages from Hamas.

Israel has communicated its position directly to senior U.S. officials, including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and President Trump, signaling that any Turkish presence in Gaza is unacceptable. In response, U.S. officials emphasized that the ISF will be a multinational force operating under the Board of Peace. “The United States is assessing needs and working to partner with countries capable of supporting and implementing the 20-point plan,” a spokesperson said, echoing remarks by President Trump on Truth Social about upcoming announcements. (Source)

Lindsey Graham: Saudi Crown Prince Won’t Recognize Israel Without ‘Better Deal for Palestinians’

Lindsey Graham says Saudis will need positives for Palestinians in order to join the Abraham Accords. That, he says, is the new future, rather than Hamas and Hezbollah.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) warned on Wednesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not move forward with normalization with Israel unless he can secure “an outcome better for the Palestinians,” saying his political survival depends on it. Speaking at The Jerusalem Post’s Washington Conference, Graham said bluntly, “MBS is not going to recognize Israel until he gets an outcome better for the Palestinians, or he will get killed. That is the truth.”

Graham, one of the key US lawmakers involved in back-channel efforts between Washington, Riyadh, and Jerusalem, said any American-led package must visibly improve the Palestinian situation without rewarding Hamas or undermining Israel’s security. “I am not asking Israel to reward terrorism,” he said. “I am asking Israel to be open-minded to end the conflict… where Israel is secure and MBS can move his region forward.”

He argued that the region had been “this close” to a breakthrough before Hamas’s October 7 massacre and the two years of war that followed. Hamas, he said, deliberately filmed the atrocities to sabotage the Saudi track: “They wanted you to look. They wanted to harden hearts in Israel and turn the Arab world against any deal.” Graham insisted that no Saudi-Israel agreement is possible without dismantling Iran’s proxy networks. “Hamas needs to go. Hezbollah needs to be disarmed,” he said, dismissing the idea that an international stabilization force could disarm Hamas. “You’ll find a unicorn quicker. Only Israel can do it.” (Read More)

US envoy Barrack: Syria uninterested in aggression, Israel must seize the moment - interview

“After October 7, Israel doesn’t trust anyone,” Barrack declared. “That’s why we’ve offered to serve as a peacekeeping force. Verification replaces trust.”

In an exclusive interview at The Jerusalem PostWashington conference on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Turkey and Trump's envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, laid out a sweeping vision for the Middle East, emphasizing the roles of Syria, Turkey, and Israel. Much of Barrack’s mission revolves around Syria, where he has been leading US efforts to broker a security and border arrangement between Jerusalem and Damascus. "I thought we were much closer until I read the Israeli press," he said. "Look, we're going to get there."

According to him, the talks have produced cautious but significant progress. Barrack described Syria as fundamentally disinterested in aggression toward Israel, consumed instead by threats from ISIS, the remnants of foreign fighters, and Iranian proxies. He revealed that with help from Turkish intelligence, the US and Syria have jointly taken out nine Hezbollah cells and several ISIS cells in recent weeks.

“Syria joining the anti-ISIS coalition was unthinkable not long ago,” he said. He added that he believes that a return to a variation of the 1974 disengagement structure, updated with modern mechanisms, is entirely feasible. (Ed note: Keep one eye on Barrack, and the other on what he says.) (Read More)

U.S. Seizes Cuba-Bound Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast

President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon announced that the United States has seized an oil tanker bound for Cuba as it was sailing off the coast of Venezuela.

“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized in action. And, other things are happening. So, you’ll be seeing that later. And you’ll be talking about that later with some other people,” Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump said the tanker was seized “for a very good reason,” but provided no further details. Asked what would happen to the ship’s cargo of oil, he replied, “Well, we keep it, I guess.” A U.S. official said the seizure was “led by the Coast Guard and supported by the U.S Navy.”

Another official told the New York Times that the oil tanker is named “Skipper” and was “carrying a false flag of nationality” at the time it was seized. “It was seized because of its past links to smuggling illicit Iranian oil, not because of ties to the Maduro regime, although it was carrying Venezuelan oil. A federal judge authorized a seizure warrant for the tanker roughly two weeks ago,” the official said.

UK-based maritime risk company Vanguard confirmed on Wednesday there is an oil tanker named Skipper that was sanctioned by the United States for allegedly being involved with the illegal trade of Iranian oil under another name, “Adisa. An unnamed source told Politico that “the ship was en route to Cuba, where the state firm Cubametales was planning to sell it to Asian energy brokers.” Due to U.S. sanctions, most of Venezuela’s oil product is sold to China.  (Read More)

Israel approves construction of 764 houses in three West Bank settlements

Israel on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the construction of 764 more houses in three settlements in the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the Higher Planning Council, the Defense Ministry body in charge of settlement construction plans in the West Bank, approved 478, 230, and 56 housing units in the Hashmonaim, Beitar Illit, and Givat Ze’ev, respectively.

Smotrich, who oversees civilian affairs in the West Bank, called the council’s decision part of a “clear strategic move to strengthen settlement and ensure continuity of life, security and growth.” Wednesday’s decision puts the total of housing units approved in the West Bank since Smotrich assumed his post at 51,370, he said in the statement.

The settlements are thought by most of the international community to be illegal under international law. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the move, saying the approval was part of a settlement policy that “aims to ignite the region” and “drag it into a cycle of violence and war.” He demanded that the Trump administration pressure Israel to stop settlement expansion “in order to ensure the success of President Trump’s efforts and endeavors to stop the war and achieve stability in the region.”

The decision comes less than a month after plans were announced to seizeparts of a major West Bank archaeological site. In August, Israeli authorities approved construction on the controversial E1 settlement project in the territory that would effectively cut it in two. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under heavy criticism from Palestinians and rights groups for accelerating settlement expansion in the West Bank, which they say is aimed at preventing the establishment of a future Palestinian state there. (Read More)

Qatar, Turkey Try to Circumvent Hamas Disarmament as Terror Group Escalates Crackdown in Gaza

As the United States pushes for the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire to begin, Israel is warning that Qatar and Turkey are trying to shield Hamas from disarmament as the Palestinian terrorist group seeks to reassert control over the war-torn enclave.

Qatar and Turkey have proposed alternatives to a central provision of Trump’s peace plan, according to Israeli media reports. Rather than requiring Hamas to disarm, Qatari and Turkish officials have pushed for the Islamist group either to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority or place them in secure storage under international oversight. As part of this plan, Qatar and Turkey are reportedly advocating a two‑year grace period during which Hamas could legally retain its weapons.

However, Israeli officials have rejected these options as unacceptable, arguing they would allow the terrorist group to maintain its influence in Gaza, which Hamas has ruled for nearly two decades. Israel has made clear it will allow Hamas just a few months to give up its weapons, warning it will act unilaterally if the group is not disarmed promptly. Turkey and Qatar, both longtime backers of Hamas, have been trying to expand their roles in Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, which experts have warned could potentially strengthen Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure. Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected any Turkish or Qatari involvement in post-war Gaza.

The first stage of Trump’s peace plan, which took effect in October, included Hamas releasing all the remaining hostages, both living and deceased, who were kidnapped by Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists during their Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of and massacre across southern Israel. In exchange, Israel released thousands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including many convicted terrorists serving life sentences, and partially withdrew its military forces in Gaza to a newly drawn “Yellow Line,” roughly dividing the enclave between east and west. (Read More)

Israel can ease tensions with Qatar, but only if Doha stops supporting Hamas - opinion

A trilateral meeting of the United States, Israel, and Qatar was held Sunday as part of an American initiative to jumpstart a process aimed at easing tensions between Doha and Jerusalem, against the backdrop of efforts to advance Phase B of President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza. The meeting was attended by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Mossad director David Barnea, and a senior Qatari official.

Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology in September, Qatar is seeking to solidify its image as a constructive mediator and launder its reputation despite its ongoing support for terrorism. This comes amid statements from Doha declaring that “Qatar will not take part in funding the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” arguing that “we will not sign the checks that rebuild what someone else destroyed.” 

Beyond strengthening their already elevated international standing – bolstered significantly by their central role in Trump’s “points plan” – the Qataris are keen to further tighten their ties with Washington, which grants them extensive security benefits, including a defense agreement anchored in a presidential order. If the process of rapprochement progresses and such meetings continue, 

Israel must make it clear that any advancement depends on concrete steps from Doha. Every move toward improved relations with Qatar must be conditioned on the cessation of all support for Hamas – direct or indirect – and on a complete halt to any promotion of interests aligned with the organization’s goals. Only under these terms can Israel ensure that any emerging diplomatic dynamic serves its strategic interests rather than granting further legitimacy to actions that endanger it and destabilize the region. (Read More)

US official to ‘Post’: International Stabilization Force to be deployed at beginning of 2026

The International Stabilization Force (ISF) will be deployed in the Gaza Strip at the beginning of 2026, a US official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday night. The official noted that the ISF will initially include only personnel from one or two countries, with more countries potentially joining in the future.

The ISF “will not be deployed in areas controlled by Hamas in the Gaza Strip," the official added. Ambassador Danny Danon insisted last month that the ISF must play an active role in disarming Hamas. However, Danon admitted at the time that it was "complicated" to envision when such a force would come into effect. “What interests us now is seeing whether this force can stabilize the situation and strip Hamas of its weapons,” he explained. “That’s the immediate objective.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made similar comments last month, expressing uncertainty on when the ISF would launch its operations. He noted that many countries were reluctant to enter the Gaza Strip, despite vocalizing support for a ceasefire. While the US official did not disclose the countries that will be involved in the ISF, the source's comments came after Turkish security sources told their country's media that they were ready and waiting to be deployed. "We have no problem with the troops being sent to Gaza to join the ISF. The Americans also very much want us there, while Israel opposes it. The Americans are pressuring Israel to have Turkish troops [as part of the force]," sources were cited as saying. (Source)  

Jerusalem legalizes six Samaria communities in move hailed as ‘historic’

All six established towns, some dating to the early 1990s, with hundreds of residents, have received retroactive authorization.

The Binyamin Regional Council in Samaria on Tuesday announced the “historic” official legalization of six former outposts by the government. Ahiya, Harasha, Migron, Nofei Prat, Adei Ad and Shvut Rachel have been “fully regularized and recognized as official towns” by Israel’s Interior Ministry, the council, which administers communities in southern Samaria, said in a Hebrew-language statement.

“Following years of struggle, effort and challenges, these towns are now formally recognized, with ‘settlement symbols’ and full recognition by the State of Israel,” it said. “This is a significant achievement, especially for the young settlement, which has maintained faith and determination over the years, despite harsh weather conditions and many obstacles.”

Binyamin Regional Council leader Israel Ganz thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also oversees civilian issues in Judea and Samaria as part of his secondary role as a minister in the Defense Ministry. “We continue building and settling with full strength!” Ganz concluded. Ahiya, Adei Ad, Nofei Prat received Israeli Cabinet approvalin May, while Harasha, Migron and Shvut Rachel are neighborhoods of existing communities that were split off by a March 22 Cabinet decision. (Read More)

Truckloads of armed men spotted riding near IDF troops near Syria border - report

IDF soldiers operating in the area of Khan Arnaba in southwestern Syria fired at armed individuals riding pickup trucks passing near troops, Israeli media reported on Tuesday afternoon. "Several suspects approached the troops and posed a threat, prompting the forces to begin a suspect-arrest procedure that included firing into the air to push them back," Israel public broadcaster KAN News reported, citing the IDF.

"When the suspects did not move away, the troops fired at two of them, causing the group to disperse." Three civilians were reportedly injured by the IDF's "distancing fire" and have since received medical treatment, according to Syrian media. Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister's Office noted in a post to X/Twitter that US mediation between Israel and Syria led to a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the United Nations General Assembly in September, though "no agreements and understandings with Syria were reached." 

The statement also addressed a Monday report in Saudi outlet Asharq al-Awsat claiming that Netanyahu refused to sign a security agreement with Syria, calling the motion "absolute fake news." (Source)

Israel to reopen Allenby Crossing with Jordan for first time since deadly Sept. 18 terror attack

Israel was set to reopen the Allenby Crossing with Jordan on Wednesday for the first time since a Jordanian Armed Forces contractor murdered two Israeli soldiers stationed on the border in a Sept. 18 terrorist attack. An Israeli security official told Hebrew media that Jerusalem’s political echelon ordered the crossing reopened for the passage of goods and humanitarian aid after “necessary security adjustments” were implemented on both sides of the border.

“Security screening and inspection procedures for Jordanian drivers and the contents of the trucks have been tightened and dedicated security forces have been assigned to guard the crossing,” the official said. The official emphasized that aid trucks will be transferred to the Gaza Strip “under escort and security after thorough security inspection.” On Sept. 18, a civilian hired by the Jordanian Armed Forces to transport aid to the Gaza Strip carried out a combined shooting and stabbing attack while waiting for his truck to be inspected by Israeli troops.

The Israel Defense Forces identified the victims as Sgt. Oran Hershko, 20, a liaison officer in the army’s international cooperation unit, and Lt. Col. (res.) Yitzhak Harosh, 68, an officer in the Civil Administration’s Unit 309. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir advised the political echelon to halt deliveries of humanitarian aid from Jordan following the attack. Jerusalem’s Foreign Ministry in an X post blamed the terrorist attack on “vile incitement in Jordan,” adding that the two IDF soldiers were killed as a result of Amman’s incessant “echoing of Hamas’s campaign of lies.” (Read More)

Women now comprise third of IDF's career officers

Exclusive data reveals nine percent jump in female officers over five years, though senior command positions remain heavily male-dominated.

Women's representation in IDF career positions (permanent military service beyond mandatory conscription) has climbed seven percentage points over five years. As of 2024, women comprise one-third of all career soldiers, according to exclusive data obtained by Israel Hayom that Brig. Gen. Ela Shido Shachter, the gender affairs advisor to the chief of staff (the IDF's senior official responsible for gender integration policy), will present on Monday before the Knesset.

The data reveals that female officers in the IDF have surged by nine percentage points over the past five years, with women now accounting for 36% of the officer corps. Female non-commissioned officers have similarly increased by five percentage points over five years, with women now representing 31% of all IDF NCOs.

Moreover, despite an acute manpower crisis and the voluntary departure of hundreds of career personnel, soldiers are returning to service. The data shows nearly half of the 1,386 career personnel who rejoined the military are women. Statistics spanning 2019-2024 demonstrate steady growth in women's representation across mid-level officer ranks, though substantial gaps persist at senior levels.

Among second lieutenants and lieutenants, women's share rose from 41% in 2019 to 44% in 2024, while the captain rank saw an increase from 29% to 34%. More substantial advances occurred at the major rank, from 27% in 2019 to 33% in 2024, with the lieutenant colonel rank experiencing the sharpest jump, from 18% to 23%.

Senior ranks tell a different story: Women's representation in the colonel rank climbed from nine percent to 14%, yet at the brigadier general level, it declined from eight percent in 2019 to merely five percent in 2024. At the major general rank, after one woman held this position in 2021 (7%), the number has remained negligible, hovering between 7 and 8% in recent years. (Source)

Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces pitfalls in attempt to shift to its second phase

Impasses remain in key points, such as Hamas disarmament, postwar governance of the Strip, funding reconstruction, and a path to Palestinian statehood.

With the remains of one hostage still in Gaza, the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas is nearly complete, after a two-month process plagued by delays and finger-pointing. Now, the key players — including Israel, the Palestinian terror group Hamas, the United States, and a diverse list of international parties — are to move to a far more complicated second phase that could reshape the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan — which was approved by the UN Security Council — lays out an ambitious vision for ending Hamas’s rule of Gaza. If successful, it would see the rebuilding of a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision, normalized relations between Israel and the Arab world, and a possible pathway to Palestinian independence. 

But if the deal stalls, Gaza could be trapped in an unstable limbo for years to come, with the Hamas terror group remaining in control of parts of the territory, Israel’s army enforcing an open-ended occupation, and its residents stuck homeless, unemployed, unable to travel abroad and dependent on international aid to stay alive. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar and a key mediator, said over the weekend that the ceasefire is at a critical point, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to the White House this month to discuss the next steps. (Read More)

Turkish troops ready for Gaza ISF, US pressuring Israel to allow it, security sources say - report

Turkish officials say they are ready to join the Gaza stabilization force, calling Israel’s resistance politically motivated and insisting their participation is essential to the ceasefire.

The Turkish military is ready to send troops to the Gaza Strip as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), Turkish security sources cited across Turkish media claimed on Tuesday. "We have no problem with the troops being sent to Gaza to join the ISF. The Americans also very much want us there, while Israel opposes it. The Americans are pressuring Israel to have Turkish troops [as part of the force]," sources were cited as saying.

Turkish security sources affirmed that as a guarantor of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and as a signatory to the peace process, they "must be there." "Our forces are ready. We have prepared all the necessary units. The moment the order is given, we will immediately form a modular unit," the sources were cited as saying.

"You cannot say that 'Turkish troops cannot come' when it is clear that Turkey is one of the countries that worked the hardest to establish the ceasefire and coordinated the exchange [of hostages for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons]," the sources added. "If you say 'Turkish troops cannot come,' then you do not want this mission [the ceasefire process and the ISF] to succeed. You intend to continue to genocide," they accused.

On Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke to Reuters on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, saying that not advancing the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan to the next stage would be a "huge failure" for the world and Washington. (Ed note: Always remember that President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has two dreams, destroying Isarel, and rebuilding the Ottoman Empire.)  (Read More)

Hamas must honor truce deal, State Dept tells JNS after Mashaal rejects Trump Gaza plan

The statement came after Khaled Mashaal rejected the U.S.- and U.N.-backed demands for Hamas to disarm and for the Strip to be demilitarized.

The United States expects Hamas terrorists “to abide by the deal they signed,” a State Department spokesperson told JNS on Sunday, after terror chief Khaled Mashaal appeared to reject key elements of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan a day earlier. “Hamas has agreed to all 20 points of President Trump’s 20 Point Plan. That means Gaza will be fully demilitarized for the sake of Gazans,” the spokesperson said in a statement emailed to JNS on Sunday afternoon. 

The statement came after Mashaal, during a speech at an anti-Israel summit in Istanbul on Saturday, rejected the U.S.- and U.N.-backed demands for Hamas to disarm and for the Strip to be demilitarized.
“Protecting the resistance project and its weapons is the right of our people to defend themselves,” the terrorist said, while calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.

“The resistance and its weapons are the honor and pride of the ummah[the Islamic nation],” Mashaal continued. “A thousand statements are not worth a single projectile of iron.” Mashaal in his taped speech also dismissed “all forms of guardianship, mandate and re-occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and all of Palestine,” rejecting another key part of Trump’s plan for Gaza, which received unanimous support of the U.N. Security Council on Nov. 17. (Read More)

Smotrich: IDF ‘likely’ to step up enforcement in Lebanon

"It is likely that we will soon need to return and operate there to preserve the gains achieved against Hezbollah," Smotrich told JNS.

The Israel Defense Forces will “likely” need to intensify military operations in Southern Lebanon, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told JNS on Monday. “We are enforcing in Lebanon, without compromise, against any Hezbollah armament and any violation of the ceasefire,” Smotrich stated, speaking at a Knesset meeting of his Religious Zionism Party.

“It is likely that we will soon need to return and operate there to preserve the gains achieved against Hezbollah,” he continued. “We will not allow Hezbollah to remain,” the minister vowed. “Residents of the north deserve to live in complete security in their communities,” with the Israel Defense Forces holding strategic positions beyond the border, he added.

“There will no longer be a situation in which towns are the front line and the IDF is behind them. The IDF will be the front protecting the communities, and the communities will be behind it. “We will continue to strike Hezbollah and defeat it,” continued Smotrich, adding, “We will not repeat the mistakes of the past 20 years.”  (Read More)

Report: Tony Blair will not join Trump’s Gaza “Peace Council”

Arab and Muslim states reportedly raised strong objections to Blair’s appointment, despite him being the only publicly named candidate when Trump unveiled his 20-point plan.

Tony Blair will not take a seat on the so-called “peace council” envisioned by U.S. President Donald Trump to oversee Gaza’s post-war governance, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Arab and Muslim states reportedly raised strong objections to Blair’s appointment, despite him being the only publicly named candidate when Trump unveiled his 20-point plan to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

When the plan was announced, Trump praised Blair as “a very good person,” and the former UK prime minister expressed willingness to serve. However, Blair’s longstanding support for the 2003 Iraq invasion has left a lasting stigma in the Middle East, fueling concerns that his presence could marginalize Palestinian voices in the proposed governance structure. Trump had acknowledged these sensitivities in October, saying he wanted to ensure Blair would be “acceptable to everyone.”

For over a year, Blair has been engaged in Gaza planning through the Tony Blair Institute, developing scenarios and coordinating with key U.S. figures including Jared Kushner. While he will not sit on the main council, which is expected to be composed of serving heads of state, he may join a smaller executive committee alongside Kushner, Trump adviser Steve Witkoff, and senior officials from Arab and Western countries.

This executive committee, reportedly to be led by former UN envoy and Bulgarian defense minister Nickolay Mladenov, would coordinate with a Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with overseeing Gaza’s daily administration. The arrangement appears to echo the functions initially envisioned for Blair, acting as a bridge between international oversight and local governance. (Read More)

1,000 Missiles Warning: Western Allies Reveal Iran's Next Massive Attack Plan on Israel

In a closed Knesset session, an IDF representative revealed that Iran has resumed high-tempo ballistic missile production six months after its last war with Israel, as Hamas exploits the ceasefire to rebuild its military capabilities, setting the stage for potential future war.

A confidential briefing presented by an IDF representative to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has exposed critical security developments concerning Iran and Hamas. The representative revealed that Iran has returned to producing ballistic missiles at a high rate, a little more than six months after the "12-day war" between Israel and the Islamic Republic in June.

This intelligence aligns with warnings from Western sources, who have recently claimed that Iran has prioritized the reconstruction of its ballistic missile program. These sources cautioned last month that Iran has resorted to older manufacturing methods after Israeli actions severely damaged its planetary mixers. They warned that in a future confrontation, Iran might attempt a massive saturation attack, launching between 500 and 1,000 missiles at Israel simultaneously.

Western diplomats, familiar with regional tensions, noted that while they do not see a significant effort by Iran to renew its nuclear program, "the highest priority for the Iranians is to restore the ballistic missile program." They added that communication channels have been used to warn Iran that Israel has no interest in attacking again, but Tehran’s response suggests mistrust, raising concerns about a dangerous "miscalculation" by Iran.

The increased production comes amid reports of major Iranian military exercises, including a two-day drill by the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Persian Gulf. This exercise involved a "massive launch" of cruise missiles (Qader 110, 380, and 360 models) and a "302" ballistic missile, all reportedly hitting dummy targets with "high precision." (Read More)

Trump Promises Executive Order to Block State A.I. Regulations

In a Truth Social post, the president said he would sign an order that would eliminate a patchwork of state laws that have emerged in recent years.

President Trump said in a social media post Monday that he would issue an executive order this week to curb state laws on artificial intelligence, the latest win for a tech industry lobbying for deregulation. Mr. Trump said he would create a federal order for rules and approvals for A.I. to eliminate a patchwork of   laws that have emerged in recent years.

“We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won’t last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS,” he said on Truth Social. While Mr. Trump did not offer details, a draft executive order that circulated last month directed the U.S. attorney general to sue states to overturn A.I. laws. Federal regulators were also directed to withhold broadband grants and other funding to states with A.I. laws.

Efforts by the White House to block state laws could be challenged in court. Some legal experts and opponents of a moratorium on state A.I. laws argue that the president doesn’t have the legal authority to intervene in state legislation. (Ed note: Won't President Trump's attempt to control the use of artificial intelligence A.I. just centralize its control in the hands of one group--the government?)   Read More)

Israel is not a democracy, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack suggests at Doha Forum

"In this region, what's worked the best, whether you like it or you do not like it, is a benevolent monarchy," Barrack said.

US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack appeared on Sunday evening to suggest that Israel is not a democracy while speaking at the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum in Qatar's capital.

"We have never had a democracy in [the Middle East]...I don't see a democracy," Barrack said, adding that "Israel can claim it is a democracy, but in this region, what's worked the best, whether you like it or you do not like it, is a benevolent monarchy."

Taking part in a Doha Forum panel on Syria along with Damascus' foreign minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Qatari state minister Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide, Barrack noted that Syria must define its future, "without going in with Western expectations of, 'we want a democracy in 12 months.'" (Ed note: So Israel with an elected legislature by the people which is called "The Knesset" a 120-member parliament is not a democracy? I would have to ask what school did Tom study his class in government.) (Read More)

IDF launches drill along northern border

The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday morning launched a military exercise in the Mount Hermon and Mount Dov regions along Israel’s border with Syria and Lebanon. “As part of the exercise, there will be active and noticeable movement of security forces and vehicles in the area, and explosions will be heard,” the military stated. The IDF emphasized that there was “no concern” regarding a “security incident.”

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa over the weekend accused Israel of “exporting crises” across the Middle East in an effort to divert attention from what he called “horrifying massacres” in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Speaking at the Doha Forum in the Qatari capital on Saturday, the former al-Qaeda terrorist reiterated his call for the Israeli military to withdraw from the security zone in southern Syria.

After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the IDF seized control of parts of southern Syria, expanding a buffer zone and maintaining a presence amid ongoing clashes and strikes. Jerusalem remains ready to negotiate a new security agreement with the Syrian regime but will “stand by its principles” to prevent a repeat of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week. (Read More)