Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-26 at 21:07

HEADLINES - Israel advances US-backed Gaza plan, Rafah raids - Israel facing calls for Oct 7 inquiry - White House shooting triggers lockdown The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This is the 4:00 PM update. In a day marked by rapid shifts on multiple fronts, the Middle East remains a scene of intensified security activity, contested narratives, and high-stakes diplomacy as Israel moves to position itself for the next phase of a US-backed plan in Gaza while regional players and allies weigh accountability, escalation risks, and humanitarian concerns. In Washington, a shooting near downtown and close to the White House left two National Guard members dead and prompted a lockdown order for the White House complex. Authorities said a suspect was taken into custody, and security agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security officials, were coordinating the investigation as President Trump was briefed from Florida. Officials urged the public to avoid the area as the incident is investigated and the security posture around the capital remains high. Across the region, attention remains focused on Gaza and the broader strategy for Palestinian governance and security. The Israeli Defense Forces report progress as they prepare for what they describe as a new phase of the US-backed plan for Gaza. In eastern Rafah, where Hamas forces are believed to be entrenched in tunnels, the IDF says it killed four gunmen and captured two others who emerged from tunnels, while continuing operations against operatives who crossed the ceasefire line or who posed threats to troops in the southern and northern Gaza Strip. The army says it has targeted a Hamas sniper and several other operatives involved in planned attacks, as part of a broader effort to degrade Hamas’ network and to secure areas along the Yellow Line that divides Gaza. Israeli leadership tensions continued to shape the domestic narrative. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir urged bold, transformative leadership that confronts responsibility rather than evading it, remarks delivered at a Ben-Gurion remembrance ceremony that touched off public scrutiny of how the military and political leadership responded to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The remarks came amid a public dispute with Defense Minister Israel Katz over the handling of senior promotions and external reviews of the military’s internal probes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has sought to de-escalate the confrontations, while polls cited by senior officials indicate broad public demand for a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the attack. In parallel, a political debate has intensified over accountability, with critics arguing that a formal state inquiry is necessary to restore public trust, while others caution against measures that could affect war-time cohesion. On the security technology front, the IDF disclosed a directive restricting official devices for senior officers, moving toward iPhones as the only permitted platform for lieutenant colonels in an effort to reduce cyber risk. The move reflects ongoing concerns about security and information protection amid the wider security environment in and around Israel. Internationally, Qatar and Ireland have called for an OPCW probe into alleged chemical weapons use in Gaza and the West Bank, seeking independent verification of accusations that have emerged in various forums. The discussions underscore the international pressure to examine allegations that, if substantiated, would carry significant legal and diplomatic implications in a conflict already under intense scrutiny. In the broader security landscape, there is continuing attention to the dynamic with Iran and its regional proxies. Reports indicate Iran has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah in recent months through smuggling routes via Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, a development seen as deepening the strategic threat landscape for Israel and its allies in the region as power shortages and pollution intensify in Tehran. Lebanon’s security calculus also features in the conversation. One Lebanese diplomatic source suggested a shift in tone, noting that Washington has signaled flexibility on what is described as “security sovereignty” near the Litani area, a reference that observers say could presage new cross-border operational discussions. The implications for Lebanon and Israel’s northern front are being watched closely by policymakers in capitals and in the United Nations framework. In Washington’s domestic-to-international policy thread, the US continues to support a phased approach that envisions a transitional authority to govern Gaza, a multinational security force, and broader reconstruction, contingent on Hamas disarmament. Hamas has thus far refused to accept the disarmament condition, arguing that security arrangements must reflect a political solution that