HEADLINES Storm Byron Triggers Severe Alerts Across Israel Gaza Storm Worsens Suffering; Formula Hoarding Allegations West Bank Debates Dismissal of Avi Bluth The time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. Storm Byron moved into Israel and the surrounding region in the pre-dawn hours, delivering a first major winter storm of the season. Authorities issued severe weather alerts for the next 48 hours as heavy rain, strong winds, and localized flooding stretch from the north to the Negev. Emergency services are on high alert, with officials urging residents to monitor updates and take precautions as conditions evolve. In Gaza, the situation remains dire for many families living in tents and makeshift shelters. Reports circulating in regional media describe ongoing hardships linked to heavy weather, with observers noting the additional strain that the storm places on already fragile conditions inside the Strip. Separately, a Gazan-American journalist releasing footage alleges that Hamas hoarded baby formula in Gaza to create shortages in order to press for international pressure on Israel. Hamas has described such claims as propaganda, and the broader humanitarian picture in Gaza continues to attract international focus as weather and access restrictions complicate relief efforts. In the West Bank, the policy debate over settlement activity has returned to the fore with a sharp domestic critique. Peace Now’s chief executive has called for the dismissal of IDF Central Command Chief Avi Bluth, arguing that the West Bank settlement policy represents a failure of duty and that in practice the IDF has become an instrument supporting the establishment of illegal outposts. Israeli officials have not publicly responded to the accusation in detail, but the exchange highlights enduring tensions over security policies and the pace and scope of settlement activity in areas beyond pre-1967 borders. Diplomatically, Israel and Bolivia have renewed formal relations after years of estrangement. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Bolivia’s Finance and Economy Minister signed an agreement to restore diplomatic ties during a ceremony in Washington. The move signals a broader effort to normalize regional and hemispheric ties, even as broader regional security concerns remain. The renewal comes as Israel continues to manage its regional relationships in a shifting landscape, balancing security considerations with diplomatic outreach. Turning to regional security developments, reports circulated of Syrian regime forces moving past a border checkpoint at Khirbat Khirbat al-‘Arba near the southern edge of the border area, accompanied by armed units and, according to some accounts, a jihadist insignia in the scene. The events were followed by an Israeli strike resulting in several Syrian casualties. The exact sequence and attribution remain contested in real time, but the incident underscores the continuing volatility along the Golan Heights border and the risk of cross-border spillover from Syria’s evolving battlefield dynamics. On the defense diplomacy front, Washington and Ankara have continued discussions over Turkey’s F-35 program. A US envoy described the talks as fruitful, emphasizing that Turkish access to the advanced jets hinges on Turkey’s full compliance with US requirements, including the removal of the S-400 air defense system from Turkish possession. Turkey has long sought to strengthen its air power and has indicated interest in accelerating deals that would complement its existing Typhoon and potential F-35 plans. Israel has repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining its own qualitative military edge in a volatile region, and US-Turkey discussions over F-35s—alongside other regional security considerations—remain a factor in Washington’s approach to sustaining balance in the Middle East. In the quiet political theater beyond the immediate front lines, a separate coverage note draws attention to broader public sentiment and political rhetoric across the region. One story notes the longstanding tension between Israel and various regional actors as debates over security strategies and diplomatic approaches continue. Another piece highlights how international actors frame the conflict differently, with some emphasizing humanitarian and legal concerns, while others stress security imperatives and the need to prevent escalation. Looking ahead, the weather system is expected to persist with peak risk likely midweek, while security and political developments in Israel and across the region will continue to unfold against a backdrop of ongoing discussions about settlements, detainees and prisoner exchanges, and regional alignments. In Washington, US policymakers continue to balance strategic support for Israel’s security needs with a broader push for de-escalation and durable diplomatic arrangements in the Middle East. As events evolve, officials say the coming da
