Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-12 at 22:05

HEADLINES House votes to end longest shutdown US presses Israel on Gaza civilian safety Barnea to step down as Mossad chief The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. The United States House of Representatives is set to vote around seven this evening on a deal aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in history. If approved, the measure would resume disrupted food assistance programs and restore a significantly hampered air traffic control system that has affected flights and travel across the country. Officials say the agreement would reopen agencies facing funding gaps and prevent further furloughs, helping families and travelers who have felt the impact of the shutdown. In Israel, a series of developments underscored the country’s tense political and security environment. A Knesset debate over incentives for settlers in exposed areas drew sharp lines after remarks by a Likud lawmaker invoking a controversial historical figure, prompting criticism from opponents who warned against legitimizing extremist ideas. The exchange reflected ongoing pressure inside a government facing security challenges and domestic political stress as it weighs policy choices and public opinion. The budget process for the coming year also moved forward in Israel, with the 2026 state budget being prepared for government consideration this week. After clearing an initial hurdle to advance, the proposal still must pass three readings in the Knesset before becoming law, a path that keeps negotiations and parliamentary maneuvering in the spotlight as parties seek to balance security needs with fiscal priorities. In diplomatic and intelligence developments, the United States is pressing Israel over the handling of Gaza and related operations. US officials indicate intelligence assessments last year raised questions about discussions within Israeli security circles regarding the use of Gaza residents in tunnels that could be lined with explosives. Israel says it forbids the use of civilians in military operations and is conducting investigations into any alleged missteps, while continuing to emphasize its right to defend itself against Hamas threats. The situation remains a focal point of US-Israel coordination as Washington weighs security aid, civilian protection concerns, and the broader fight against Hamas. On the security front in Gaza, Israeli forces conducted operations in Rafah that killed several Hamas militants and targeted tunnel networks associated with the group. Officials say some 200 Hamas operatives may still be trapped in tunnels, with the United States discussing arrangements to ensure safe passage for civilians and combatants as conditions allow. Israel’s leaders say they are pursuing a sustained pressure campaign against Hamas while limiting harm to civilians through precision and enhanced coordination with international partners. Beyond the conflict zone, Israel’s intelligence and security apparatus continued to see leadership changes. Mossad Director David Barnea is expected to step down in June 2026 after nearly five years at the helm. The move comes as the government reviews leadership in security agencies and considers potential successors, with three candidates reportedly in consideration for the top post. Barnea has overseen high-profile operations in recent years and remains a central figure in Israel’s intelligence community as it navigates regional threats and evolving alliances. On the political stage in Washington, reports differ on how a potential pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be handled if pursued. A letter from President Donald Trump to President Isaac Herzog formally requesting a pardon has entered the public record, with Herzog’s office indicating that any pardon would need to proceed through the appropriate channels. Analysts note that a pardon would require careful political and legal considerations, and discussions about it are shaped by broader questions about judicial accountability and political timelines in Israel. In regional commentary, concerns were raised by several Gulf partners about external influence and stability efforts in the Gaza theater. An advisor from a major Gulf state cautioned that without a clear framework for stabilization, participation in any stabilization force remains unlikely, underscoring the complexity of aligning regional security interests with on-the-ground needs in Gaza. Iran announced the introduction of a new tactical drone designed for reconnaissance and precise strikes. The Shahed-161 drone has a range of about 150 kilometers, a flight time of up to two hours, and an operational altitude around eight kilometers, reflecting continued emphasis on drones as a component of its military posture and regional signaling. In other regional programming, tensions and political maneuvering continue to shape the broader Middle East landscape as governments weigh domestic pressures