Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-10 at 13:08

HEADLINES Trump pardons allies linked to 2020 bid Iran plot to kill Israel envoy thwarted Kushner and Witkoff push Gaza ceasefire The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. 8:00 AM. This is a concise, on‑the‑record briefing on the latest developments in the Middle East and the related diplomatic landscape. In the United States, President Donald Trump has issued pardons for several allies connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The proclamation grants full, complete, and unconditional pardons to people including Rudy Giuliani, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, and Jeffrey Clark, among others. The White House notes the proclamation does not apply to Trump personally. The moves come after a long political and legal thread surrounding the 2020 contest and the January 6th aftermath, underscoring Trump’s ongoing influence on the political narrative around the election. The pardons are framed as part of a national reconciliation process, while several of those named faced state level or other charges in years past. The details and implications of these actions are drawing attention from lawmakers and observers as the political environment in Washington remains highly charged. International energy and sanctions developments continue to ripple through the region. Lukoil has declared force majeure at Iraq’s West Qurna‑2 oilfield, a consequence of Western sanctions that have constrained its operations. Iraqi officials indicate that if the underlying sanctions issue is not resolved within roughly six months, production could halt and the company could exit the project. The move highlights how Western policy decisions can impact strategic energy projects in Iraq, with potential effects on oil supply and regional dynamics. Turning to the nuclear arena, IAEA inspectors visited Iranian nuclear sites last week as part of a broader pattern of monitoring since June. The foreign ministry confirms around a dozen inspections have taken place, though access to certain sites—specifically those damaged in past strikes—has not always been granted. The inspections come amid ongoing questions about Iran’s nuclear program and the international efforts to curb it, set against the backdrop of regional security concerns and diplomacy involving the United States, Europe, and regional partners. On the truce front, the Israel‑Lebanon ceasefire remains a focal point of regional diplomacy. Analysts describe the first year of the ceasefire as marked by competing accounts of violations, civilian harm, and disarmament obligations, shaping each side’s posture and reporting. Lebanon’s army has pursued a cautious approach to disarming Hezbollah, even as it reports progress in detecting and obstructing weapons transfers. Israel continues to press for broader enforcement of disarmament measures, while concerns persist about the risk of renewed tension along the border as Hezbollah’s capabilities are perceived to be reconstituted. In Syria, authorities say ISIS plots against President Bashar al‑Assad have been foiled. The reports come as Syria appears to be moving closer to joining a US‑led coalition against ISIS, a development linked to a broader strategy to stabilize the region and to integrate Syria into international efforts against terrorism. The government said it has conducted nationwide operations against ISIS cells, signaling a determination to curb militant activity within its borders as it seeks international support for reconstruction and governance. Diplomatically, top US figures traveling with partners in the region are intensifying talks with Israeli leadership on Gaza and hostage issues. Talks involving Jared Kushner and the US special envoy Steve Witkoff with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are described as aiming to advance a ceasefire framework and the delayed release of hostages. The discussions are set against the background of a contentious ceasefire landscape, where the return of fallen hostages and the status of negotiations with Hamas remain points of leverage and disagreement among regional players and international allies. Humanitarian flow to Gaza continues to be monitored closely. The United States has confirmed that aid is moving into Gaza, including more than 840 pallets of medical supplies, underscoring ongoing humanitarian relief efforts even as security concerns and political complexity continue to shape the ceasefire and delivery networks. The humanitarian corridors and oversight will remain essential as relief supplies attempt to reach civilians amid ongoing fighting and disruption of normal life. In the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates has signaled it is unlikely to participate in the proposed International Stabilization Force for Gaza under the administration’s plan. Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati adviser, said Abu Dhabi probably would not join the force, citing the lack of a clear operational framework. The