Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-21 at 17:06

HEADLINES Israeli strike kills 13 in Lebanon camp Six Hamas militants killed near Rafah tunnels Singapore sanctions four Israeli settler leaders The time is now 12:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. Fighting on the northern front continued today as the Israeli military said it struck a Hamas training compound in southern Lebanon, killing 13 militants. The move underscores ongoing cross-border fighting linked to the broader conflict with Hamas and its allied networks, and it comes as Israel maintains a high state of readiness along its northern border. In Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar argued that, despite a challenging year, Israel’s diplomatic center of gravity remains anchored in its ties with the Abraham Accords partners. He indicated that none of the Accords countries have cut ties with Israel and suggested more agreements are in the works, underscoring a political emphasis on regional diplomacy alongside security measures. Meanwhile, violence in the West Bank persisted, with Palestinians reporting seven settler-driven attacks overnight. Homes, vehicles, and other property were targeted in multiple locations, including Luban a-Sharqiya, Abu Falah near Ramallah, Deir Sharaf near Nablus, Huwara, Beit Furik, Susya, and the South Hebron Hills community of Markaz. Witnesses described masked settlers fleeing scenes, and the incidents were noted to occur largely without arrests, highlighting ongoing friction between settlers and Palestinian residents despite condemnations from Israeli officials. The international response to West Bank violence intensified as Singapore announced sanctions on four Israeli settler leaders for alleged “egregious acts of extreme violence” against Palestinians. The measures, which include financial penalties and entry bans, align Singapore with earlier European Union and Canadian actions and add to a growing international chorus linking settler violence to jeopardizing prospects for a two-state solution. Back in the West Bank, tensions were compounded by a series of legal and security developments. A Palestinian family near Jenin petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice after alleging violent seizures of cattle by the IDF, with subsequent disputes over ownership and property damage. The Israeli security establishment has also drafted new recommendations to curb Jewish nationalist crime and settler violence in the West Bank, reflecting a policy emphasis on reducing domestic security risks alongside battlefield operations. In a separate security note, Israeli police reported a thwarted threat in Ashkelon when an explosive device was neutralized in a public park; officials said no other IEDs were found in the area. The incident follows a pattern of security alerts tied to a broader climate of heightened vigilance. On the ground in Gaza, Israeli forces have continued operations tied to countering militants in Rafah. The military reported the killing of six Hamas militants who emerged from tunnels near Rafah, with five others said to have surrendered. The assertive post-strike communications and the rapid numbers cited reflect a broader effort to disrupt Hamas’ tunnel networks, though social media channels associated with Palestinian groups have circulated cautious and sometimes conflicting narratives about the events and the mood in Gaza. Reports from the region also touched on the international dimension of security operations. Sky News Arabic cited a Syrian source alleging the presence of American forces at the al-Mazah base near Damascus; the United States has not publicly confirmed those specific reports, but the situation remains a focus of regional observers as Washington reassesses posture and partnerships in the broader Middle East. In a different vein, a new book on the IDF’s dog-handling unit, known as Oketz, offers a portrait of the unit’s long history, from experimental work with small guard dogs to the infamous incident involving a dog that bit Nasrallah’s son. The account highlights elements of military training and esprit de corps that operate away from the front lines but remain integral to operational readiness. Economic and cultural notes also entered the landscape of Israel’s current moment. The Israel Premier Tech cycling team announced it will rebrand as NSN Cycling Team and relocate to Spain after protests during races that questioned the team’s identity. The move follows sponsorship shifts and reflects the broader tension between sports, politics, and public opinion in the region. In business and policy circles in the United States, debates continued about the American political landscape’s stance toward Israel and antisemitism on the right. A heated exchange at a conference of Jewish conservatives highlighted concerns about figures who have drawn criticism for comments considered antisemitic or unfriendly to Israel. The discussion illustrated an ongoing tension within US politics about how hard lead