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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-31 at 18:08
HEADLINES
Iran protests widen as regime's weakness exposed
Iran names Vahidi to top IRGC post
Israel debuts yellow line deterrent against Hamas
The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 1:00 PM, here is the latest briefing on events shaping the region and the broader implications for international security and policy.
In Iran, anti-government demonstrations have grown in scale and reach, with reports of protests in major urban centers and persistent clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Witnesses describe police using force while demonstrators demand dignity, freedom, and change. Internet disruptions in parts of the country have further complicated reporting and monitoring. An Israeli minister, Gamliel, offered a pointed assessment in an opinion piece that the regime’s weakness is becoming harder to conceal as unrest continues. The protests come amid a broader pattern of domestic pressure on Iran’s leadership and questions about how the regime will respond to sustained public dissent.
In a related development, Iran named a senior general to a top deputy role within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. General Vahidi, who previously faced United States sanctions for his role in past operations, including the AMIA bombing, has taken on a critical leadership position within the IRGC. The appointment is viewed by observers as reinforcing hardline elements in Iran’s security establishment at a moment of domestic upheaval and regional tension.
Across the region, the strategic implications of Iran’s internal challenges are closely watched by the United States and its allies. Tehran has signaled that it will defend its interests, while partners assess how Iran’s internal dynamics might influence its behavior abroad, including in cyber, diplomatic, and potential regional security dimensions.
Israel reports a series of domestic and regional developments that continue to shape its security posture. In Hebron, authorities withdrew a local planning power over the Tomb of the Patriarchs and transferred authority back to the administration after the municipality and the Muslim Waqf rejected a proposed roofing project. The move underscores ongoing sensitivities around holy sites and security management in areas with mixed jurisdiction.
On the security funding front, the defense budget remains a topic of intense discussion. Security officials argue that without additional resources, Israel may face constraints that could limit its ability to deter Hamas and other militant groups and to prevent a rebuilding of threat capabilities. A proposed package envisions several billion shekels in extra funding, while the Finance Ministry notes the defense envelope already consumes a substantial portion of the national budget. The debate reflects concerns about sustaining military readiness and the capacity to address evolving threats.
On the ground in Gaza and along the security line with Hamas, Israeli officials emphasize a continuing commitment to degrading Hamas’s capabilities and to ensuring the safe return of hostages. The military leadership describes 2025 as marked by important achievements in striking militant capabilities and stabilizing the security situation across the Gaza perimeter. The leadership also reiterates the objective of preventing Hamas from reconstituting its military strength and maintaining readiness to respond to any future threats. At the same time, officials say they are applying lessons learned from the October 7 attacks to sharpen planning, with the aim of presenting a more effective deterrent posture in 2026. A new security construct has been described as a “yellow line,” signaling a refined boundary responsive to changing conditions on the ground and providing a framework for rapid decision making and action.
In Washington and in
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