Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-25 at 10:07

HEADLINES Beirut strike kills Hezbollah, US backs Israel Rafah tunnels dismantling to curb threats Palestinian economy shrinks to 2003 levels The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. Good morning. This hour’s update focuses on security, diplomacy, and the economic dimensions shaping the Middle East and nearby regions, with context for an international audience. The United States says it stands with Israel’s right to defend itself after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a senior Hezbollah operative, a move described by Washington as targeting a key leader of the group’s operations. Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s obligation to prevent Hezbollah’s rearmament and to deter threats across the region. Hezbollah confirmed the strike and casualties, underscoring the fragility of the broader Lebanon-Israel envelope as tensions remain high. In Gaza and southern Lebanon, the calculus remains mixed on the ground and in the corridors of diplomacy. Israeli forces report counterterror operations in the Gaza Strip, including the elimination of militants in the northern Gaza interior as part of ongoing efforts to prevent attacks. In Khan Yunis, Israeli airstrikes targeted militants who crossed the perimeter line and posed an imminent threat. Meanwhile, Israeli units, assisted by engineering teams, continue tunnel-dismantling work in Rafah, a campaign seen by Israeli officials as essential to limiting cross-border threats. The ceasefire framework remains fragile, with both sides accusing the other of violations as international mediators urge restraint and sustained humanitarian access. In the West Bank, weather and security pressures interact in dangerous ways. Severe flooding has collapsed a section of a security barrier near Hebron, creating concerns about perimeter security and potential movement risks for civilians and security forces alike. The scene underscores broader questions about infrastructure resilience in areas already stressed by conflict and political shifts. In Jenin, a joint Israeli security operation in the southern sector concluded with the elimination of Sultan al-Ghani, the individual linked to a deadly 2024 hammer attack. Five accomplices were arrested during the overnight operation, and weapons were recovered, including a Carlo-style submachine gun and M16 rifles. Israeli authorities say the operation was part of an ongoing, wide-reaching effort to disrupt terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice, stressing that security forces will pursue those who threaten Israeli civilians and security personnel. On the humanitarian and economic front, the Palestinian economy remains deeply strained. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development reports that the two-year Gaza war and related restrictions have driven a collapse in the Palestinian economy, erasing decades of growth. GDP per capita has fallen to levels last seen in 2003, and the downturn is among the ten most severe globally since 1960. The West Bank is also experiencing a sharp downturn driven by movement restrictions and reduced economic opportunities, with international assistance expected to remain essential for recovery in the foreseeable future. Iran and the Houthis feature prominently in regional risk assessments. Iranian officials say the Houthis have gone rogue, no longer taking direction from Tehran, and tensions escalated in April after Tehran did not respond to heavy US strikes. Analysts view this as signaling a shift in how Iran manages the Yemen conflict, with implications that could reach regional security dynamics beyond Yemen, including the Gulf and interactions with international partners. US policy and international legal dynamics also shape the region’s outlook. A new US bill would punish cities that enforce warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli officials, a measure framed as a response to perceived political leverage against Israel and its leadership. This development comes amid ongoing debates over international law, sovereignty, and the practicalities of enforcing warrants in highly sensitive regional contexts. In broader international and domestic notes, a high-profile public interest case in Britain continues to unfold around anti-Israel demonstrations. Footage from a break-in at an Elbit Systems facility shows a protester striking officers with a hammer, part of a broader debate about security, protest, and the rule of law in the United Kingdom as it grapples with Gaza-related tensions at home. New reporting from the United States also touches on foreign policy choreography. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi in what officials describe as continuing discussions intended to stabilize and narrow differences over the Ukraine conflict and broader security architecture. The talks illustrate how regional security issues are inextricably linked to global strategic calculations