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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-03 at 17:07
HEADLINES
Gaza Shijaiya advance sparks fierce clashes
Israel delivers Arrow 3 largest defense export
Red Cross transfers hostage remains for ID
The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This hour, we review a set of developments shaping the security and diplomacy landscape across the Middle East and beyond. In Gaza, reports indicate Israeli forces are advancing in the area around the Shijaiya camp on the eastern edge of Gaza City, along the Salah al-Din corridor. Observers describe movements by IDF units and, in the vicinity of the area, the use of unmanned aerial systems delivering additional munitions. The situation remains tense, with fighting and exchanges of fire continuing at several points along the ceasefire line as authorities assess the next phase of operations.
In the same region, Gazan sources report renewed clashes near Rafah, where Israeli forces have faced ground fire and artillery in the context of a broader security effort along the border. Hamas and other groups have claimed attacks from tunnels and positions in southern Gaza, and Israeli forces have responded with air and ground operations. The ceasefire remains fragile, and officials on both sides emphasize the difficulty of progressing toward a longer-term arrangement while hostilities persist and civilians bear the brunt of the fighting.
Separately, a breaking humanitarian and hostage-related development has emerged. The Red Cross transferred the remains of a civilian or combatant hostage to Israeli authorities for forensic identification, with families and officials awaiting official confirmation of the identity. Israeli security and military authorities say they will participate in the identification process and urge patience as procedures are completed with care and sensitivity.
On the security diplomacy front, a major defense export milestone was announced. Israel delivered Arrow 3 long-range missile defense capability to Germany in a ceremony that marked the completion of a 4.6 billion dollar deal. The system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles while outside the atmosphere, represented the largest single defense export in Israel’s history and the first deployment of Arrow 3 outside Israel and the United States to be operated by another country. German officials described the development as a significant step in Europe’s broader defense posture, while Israel stressed the ongoing nature of bilateral security cooperation and the shared goal of protecting civilian populations.
Beyond immediate security matters, regional diplomacy continues to unfold. In Lebanon, the prime minister signaled that any economic discussions with Israel would be tied to broader peace arrangements, as civilian envoys from both sides participate in a ceasefire meeting in Naqoura amid rising tensions with Hezbollah. The international community—led by the United States, France, and United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon—has intensified efforts to stabilize the border and prevent spillover into wider conflict, even as negotiations over broader normalization remain delicate and contingent on security assurances.
In parallel, a number of economic and legal developments capture the broader strategic environment. Israel published a draft law aimed at redefining and expanding state revenue from the Dead Sea mineral concession as part of a plan to ensure a fair public share and address environmental impacts from continued extraction. The draft contemplates higher royalties and a transparent tender process intended to attract international participants while safeguarding nature and the Dead Sea region for future generations. The measure follows years in which the concession has been a cornerstone of Israel’s resource economy, with ICL Group currently holding key rights.
On the international stage, the United Nations
Published on 1 week, 3 days ago