Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-12 at 09:09

HEADLINES Netanyahu acknowledges Milchan gifts in court Israel opens Zikim crossing for aid convoys Army Radio shutdown sparks civil-military concerns The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. A man in his 30s was stabbed in Lod and is in serious condition after being evacuated to Shamir Medical Center in Tzrifin as investigators opened a probe into the incident. In Iraq, more than half of eligible voters participated in the latest parliamentary elections, with 329 seats disputed along sectarian lines. Analysts say the outcome will influence the US–Iraq security framework and the evolving role of Iran-backed militias in the country. In Gaza, Israel opened the Zikim crossing to bolster humanitarian aid deliveries, with UN-coordinated convoys allowed entry after oversight by the Defense Ministry. In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in court that he was aware of and approved gifts from Arnon Milchan as testimony continues in Case 1000. The proceedings extended the scrutiny of the prime minister’s close associates and potential conflicts of interest. Across Israeli politics and media, outrage mounted over a government plan to close Army Radio after 75 years of operation. Critics argued the move could erode civilian-military media channels, while some suggested the frequencies might be handed to private interests aligned with political factions. Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced that a professional team within the Defense Ministry would oversee the closure process and ensure a smooth transition, with Galgalatz continuing to broadcast. In domestic politics, Yonatan Shamriz, the brother of a deceased hostage, is weighing a new political bid, with discussions centering on forming a party to mobilize a new generation ready to take responsibility for the country. Health authorities confirmed that a fault identified in BRCA testing was isolated to two cases, and a nationwide review found no broader safety issues. Officials also indicated that the two affected cases had been corrected and that the overall testing program remains reliable. The family of a murdered hostage has been pressing for information on the body’s return, with officials offering no concrete timetable according to relatives. In regional security developments, Hezbollah’s leadership reaffirmed it will not disarm, even as a US delegation warned Beirut that Washington is increasingly frustrated with Lebanon’s failure to disarm the group under the broader regional security framework. Washington has signaled it expects nonstate actors in the area to relinquish arms and adhere to security arrangements that could stabilize the border corridors and aid operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon. A court in Tel Aviv also drew international attention for a domestic decision in a rabbinical case: a woman was jailed for refusing to accept a Jewish divorce, a rarity underscoring the friction between religious courts and civil liberties in highly private disputes. The broader social landscape in the region remains unsettled as Afghanistan’s economy shows growing fragility, with UN data indicating that millions of returnees and restricted female employment have driven widespread debt and food insecurity. On the security front in the West Bank and areas under dispute, clashes near Nablus and across northern Samaria were followed by police reporting multiple arrests as rioting groups, some described as nationalist-leaning settlers, confronted Palestinian communities and security forces. The incidents, alongside ongoing violence and attempts at deterrence, continue to shape daily life and the political discourse surrounding security and sovereignty. In parallel diplomatic channels, France reportedly reversed a decision that had barred Israeli firms from participating in a defense exhibition, restoring access for Israeli companies. In another regional engagement, Syria’s top leadership signaled to The Washington Post that US President Donald Trump endorses a demand for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory as a condition for broader security dialogue. The Syrian official argued that an agreement would require Israel to pull back from areas south of Damascus, while cautioning against unilateral demilitarization that could invite new security risks. Separately, Israeli diplomats disclosed that Iran remains vigilant against global pressure, with a foiled Iranian assassination plot targeting an Israeli ambassador abroad highlighted as evidence of Tehran’s ongoing campaign against Israeli officials. The case underscores the continued risk environment for Israeli personnel overseas and the importance of international security cooperation in counterterrorism operations. In Gaza-related diplomacy, discussions are continuing about potential arrangements with Palestinian militias opposing Hamas, including efforts under US mediation to create stabilizing mechanisms within hu