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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-31 at 13:06
HEADLINES
Iran protests erupt after Mehdi Samavati death
65,000 at Gaza border region reconstruction stalled
Saudi UAE rift over Yemen strategy
The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. Here is the hourly update on developments in the Middle East and related regional security matters.
In Britain, West Midlands Police issued a formal apology after it claimed Birmingham’s Jewish representatives supported a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv, a claim that sparked outrage and prompted a comprehensive review. Officials concluded that some intelligence cited in the report was inaccurate, a reminder of how initial assessments can mischaracterize complex community dynamics.
In Iran, the nationwide demonstrations continued to test the regime, with authorities reporting the death of Mehdi Samavati, an eighteen-year-old killed by security forces in Fasa. The episode marks the first fatality among protesters since the protests began, underscoring the depth of public discontent over economic conditions and governance. Iran’s leadership has urged calm, while protesters across major cities persist, pressing for political and economic change. Tehran also faced a sharp currency decline and inflation, leading to the appointment of a new central bank governor as officials seek to stabilize markets amid broader economic pressure.
Across the Gulf, a delicate balance is being tested as Saudi Arabia pushes back on UAE-backed roles in Yemen, suggesting strains within the regional security architecture. Analysts describe a rare public disagreement over tactics in Yemen as Riyadh warns against actions that could threaten stability, while partners in the coalition weigh the implications for continued cooperation and for regional security dynamics.
In Israel, testimony from assault survivors in the Knesset session drew sharp exchanges as coalition and opposition members clashed. The dialogue highlighted concerns about public safety and the state’s handling of violent crime in Arab communities, with critics charging that trust in law enforcement has eroded. Security officials stressed ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks and improve response times, even as violence continues to claim lives in several Arab towns.
On the Gaza front, population data indicate that more than 65,000 people now live in Israel’s Gaza border region, a figure that surpasses pre-October 7 levels as communities relocate and new residents move closer to the frontier. The humanitarian situation remains dire in Gaza, where reconstruction and the restoration of services are hindered by damage to infrastructure and ongoing security concerns even as a ceasefire truce holds in many areas.
US policy circles continue to monitor a potential “day after” outline for Gaza. Reports indicate President Trump, after discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu, is considering a plan that could include a Palestinian security role or police function within a post-war administration, with ongoing negotiations about the scope and leadership of any international stabilization or reconstruction effort. Israelis and Palestinians alike are watching closely for signals about how any future governance framework would address disarmament, security, and governance.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that a postwar Gaza government would be possible only after Hamas is disarmed and its weapons and tunnels neutralized. He noted that Hamas still holds tens of thousands of rifles and hundreds of kilometers of tunnel networks, conditions he says must be addressed before any broader political arrangement can be pursued. Discussions around international oversight and the role of a Palestinian security presence are ongoing, with Israeli officials emphasizing security guarantees and measures to prevent a renewed threat to Is
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