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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-17 at 03:08
HEADLINES
Bondi synagogue attack kills 15, wounds many
Canadian MPs barred from West Bank entry
Iran nuclear program advances, Barnea warns
The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good evening. Here is the news for the hour. In Australia, mourners gathered at Bondi Beach for the first Hanukkah observances and funerals following the mass shooting at a Chanukah event. Authorities say 15 people were killed and many more wounded when a gunman opened fire at the Bondi Beach Chabad center on Sunday night. Among the victims is Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old husband and father of five, whose funeral was held at the Bondi Synagogue. Silent prayers, Hebrew and English readings, and emotional tributes marked the service as family and community members remembered Schlanger as a devoted chaplain and connector to prisoners and hospital patients. A second funeral is planned for Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, who was also killed in the attack. The tragedy has prompted a renewed call for security measures at Jewish venues in Australia, and New South Wales authorities say security have been heightened with bag checks and an increased police presence along the precinct and at potential gathering sites. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his grief and said authorities will attend funerals where invited; local leaders signaled a commitment to stronger gun-control measures. The attack has sparked a national and international conversation about security, extremism, and the resilience of Jewish communities during a period of continued regional and global tensions.
In Israel and the broader Jewish world, officials and observers are weighing the implications of the Bondi attack alongside ongoing security concerns in the region. Israel’s security establishment continues to stress vigilance against threats linked to Islamist extremism and to the broader regional conflict, while stressing the right and duty to defend civilian lives. In parallel, President and government officials stress the importance of maintaining international coordination on countering terrorism and on preventing escalation in Gaza and surrounding areas. In related security briefings, Mossad chief David Barnea warned that Iran remains determined to advance its nuclear program and could pursue a weapon if left unchecked. Barnea argued that Tehran has evidenced a willingness to enrich uranium and described the regime as intent on regaining its breakout capacity, signaling a continued commitment to pursuing a nuclear capability. He reiterated Israel’s stance that it will not permit what it calls a “bad deal,” and that Israel will act in concert with the United States to stop the revival of Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli officials say efforts to deter or roll back Tehran’s advances remain a cornerstone of regional security policy.
In the West Bank, Israeli authorities blocked six Canadian Members of Parliament from entering the territory on Tuesday, citing sponsorship by a group described by Israel as a terror entity. The delegation, traveling to engage with aid groups and civil society leaders, had been organized by a political advocacy group before their arrival at the Allenby Bridge crossing. Israel’s embassy in Ottawa said the delegation’s sponsors are connected to Islamic Relief Worldwide via a Canadian affiliate, a designation that Israel designates as terrorist. Canadian officials said they informed their counterparts ahead of the trip, and Ottawa expressed objections to the denial of entry. The episode underscores the broader frictions surrounding international engagement with Palestinian authorities and Israeli security measures at sensitive border points, and it comes as Israel faces ongoing international scrutiny over policy toward Palestinians and security operations in the West Bank.
Beyond the immediate security picture, regional dynami
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