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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-31 at 17:06
HEADLINES
Iran Protests Expand as Regime Cracks
Gaza Aid Suspension Plan Triggers Global Outcry
Hebron Tomb Governance Centralized Amid Religious Strife
The time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Across Iran, protests are spreading, and the regime’s vulnerability is increasingly visible as security forces move to quell demonstrations that public accounts say are driven by a demand for dignity, freedom, and change. The turmoil comes as international attention remains fixed on Iran’s leadership, its economic pressures, and the potential for broader regional implications.
In Israel, health authorities report a new record in rabies infections among animals in 2025, with 102 cases confirmed, a rise from 74 in 2017 and well above 55 in 2024. The figure underlines ongoing public health vigilance in a region where animal and human health matters intersect with security concerns.
In another shift of policy and control, authorities in Hebron have stripped planning powers for the Tomb of the Patriarchs from the local municipality, transferring oversight to a centralized administration after a roofing project was rejected by both the municipality and the Muslim Waqf. The move broadens the authority for a site of deep religious and political significance.
Iran also drew international attention with the appointment of a US-sanctioned general, Esmail Vahidi, as a deputy head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Vahidi, associated with past security roles including leadership of the Quds Force during the AMIA bombing, has long been a focal point of Western sanctions and regional security concerns as Tehran recalibrates its leadership circle.
Back in Israel, Justice Minister Yariv Levin pressed for the resignation of a Supreme Court justice after a conflict‑of‑interest complaint was upheld in a separate case, arguing the judge should step down. The move highlights ongoing tensions over the balance between executive and judicial branches as public confidence in institutions remains a live issue in domestic politics.
Security and public safety also shaped New Year observances, with several major cities canceling or restricting New Year’s Eve celebrations amid ongoing security concerns and threat warnings. Authorities cited crowd risks and recent attack warnings as reasons to adjust traditional celebrations.
On the international front, the United Nations rights chief condemned Israel’s plan to suspend dozens of aid groups operating in Gaza, calling the move outrageous. The European Union said the measure could block life‑saving aid. The plan would affect 37 organizations, including MSF and others, and has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and international actors who warn of severe humanitarian consequences in Gaza. In Israel’s own statements, officials said the registration requirements are intended to prevent the use of humanitarian programs to support terrorism, and they pledged that essential aid would continue under strict oversight.
From the defense and budgeting side, Israel’s Defense Ministry has argued that funding shortfalls in the defense establishment have persisted, warning that persistent underfunding could complicate procurement and readiness in a challenging security environment.
In economic exchanges near the close of the year, the Energy Ministry announced that gasoline prices will fall on January 1, 2026, to 6.85 shekels per liter at self‑service pumps, the lowest in two years. The price drop follows a broader fall in regional prices and shifts in exchange rates, though households can expect higher bills for electricity and gas due to a welcome carbon tax increase and shifting energy costs.
In the West Bank, the Israeli military said it would continue operations to dismantle explosive and other terror infrastruct
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