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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-10-26 at 13:08
HEADLINES
- Netanyahu trial suspension debate tests democracy
- Mossad uncovers IRGC global plot network
- Israel Saudi normalization push persists amid tensions
The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is a 9:00 a.m. update on the Middle East and related international matters.
Israel’s security posture and regional diplomacy remain in focus as officials navigate a delicate balance between domestic politics, regional alignments, and Washington’s expectations. In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly pressed his cabinet colleague, adding that sovereignty over security policy remains Israel’s prerogative even as it weighs cooperation with international forces. He underscored that Israel will determine which forces it accepts and which it does not, a stance that reiterates a commitment to security priorities while preserving alignment with United States policy and international partners.
Tension in Israeli politics continues to unfold around legal and democratic questions at home. A ministerial panel is set to review a bill that would allow the Knesset to suspend Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ongoing trial, a proposal drawing strong criticism from the attorney general who warned of potential democratic harm. The debate underscores a broader national conversation about the balance between governance, accountability, and the political calendar as Israel faces security challenges and regional complexities.
On the diplomatic front, Israel’s security environment is underscored by a continuing push toward normalization with Saudi Arabia. Public discussions surrounding comments from senior government figures, including a controversial remark during a dispute over an unrelated issue, have raised questions about how domestic statements could affect regional diplomacy and the pace of broader accords. Officials insist that dialogue with partners remains ongoing, with security considerations at the forefront of any decisions about cooperation with international forces or security arrangements in the region.
In parallel, intelligence and security services provided new information about transnational threats. The Mossad identified Sardar Ammar, a senior commander within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a key figure in a global network that plotted attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets abroad. The network reportedly conducted operations through arson, surveillance, and proxies, with Iran denying direct responsibility. The agency said the operations extended to Europe and the Pacific region, including incidents in Greece, Australia, and Germany, and noted that several plots were thwarted in cooperation with foreign partners. The disclosures prompted diplomatic responses in Australia and Germany and a renewed push by allied nations to confront Iran’s external terror networks.
Against this backdrop, Israeli authorities and the United States have continued to coordinate on security matters related to Iran’s regional influence and external plots. The United States has reiterated its commitment to Israel’s security while emphasizing that decisions about international force deployments in the region will be made by Israel in consultation with its allies, reflecting a continued emphasis on a sovereign security framework within a broader American role in the region.
Other developed domestic stories reflect the human dimension of conflict and its long arc. The family of Alon Ohel, a hostage freed after 738 days in captivity in Gaza, has launched a nationwide campaign to support his rehabilitation. The effort highlights the personal toll of the conflict and the ongoing focus on post-release care, therapy, and reintegration for captives and their families.
On the humanitarian and operational front, teams from the International Committee of the R
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