Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-27 at 19:07

HEADLINES - Afghan-born White House attacker faces terrorism charges - Hezbollah rebuilds, warning of wider regional war - Israel eyes amnesty for haredim draft evaders The time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This is your hourly news update. A man born in Afghanistan is in custody after an attack on two National Guard members near the White House. Authorities say Rahmanullah Lakanwal drove across the United States with a volatile handgun and opened fire on patrol officers, leaving the guardsmen in critical condition. US Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News that terrorism charges are planned and a life sentence is sought at a minimum. Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program and had been living in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife and five children. Investigators say he ambushed the guardsmen and was wounded in a subsequent exchange of fire before being taken to a hospital. Prosecutors have outlined counts of assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, with a possible first-degree murder charge if the victims die. The case has renewed questions about refugee vetting and monitoring of individuals who have resettled under special programs. Across the region, officials warn that the threat horizon remains broad and complex. In assessments shared with international partners, Hezbollah is reportedly rebuilding capabilities in Lebanon and across adjacent fronts, and patience on both sides could be slipping. Israeli and American officials have cautioned that any miscalculation could widen into a broader confrontation, even as diplomatic efforts continue to deter escalation. Israeli air operations in southern Lebanon have targeted Hezbollah sites as part of a broader effort to limit the group’s rearmament, even as the group maintains residual capabilities. The fear inside Israel and among its allies is that a resurgent Hezbollah could spark a wider war at a moment of multiple regional pressures. In Washington and in allied capitals, consideration is underway of steps against groups and networks linked to extremist movements. Among them is a renewed look at sanctions aimed at the Muslim Brotherhood and related entities, though officials note the need to navigate alliances and regional sensitivities in places like Turkey and Qatar. The policy discussion reflects a long-running US effort to confront networks seen as supportive of extremist activity while trying not to disrupt broader regional stability. Complicating regional dynamics, a wave of security incidents in Europe has kept attention on antisemitism and vigilance around Jewish communities abroad. In Britain, authorities arrested a man suspected of involvement in a Yom Kippur attack outside a Manchester synagogue. The case underscores ongoing concerns about antisemitic violence in Europe and the need for robust security measures in places of worship. On the diplomatic front, Pope Leo XIV’s first foreign trip began in Turkey, where he urged Turkey to play a constructive role as a mediator in a world racked by conflict. The pope’s visit to Istanbul and nearby Lebanon comes amid a period marked by tense Gaza and Lebanon frontlines, with the Vatican emphasizing safety arrangements and interfaith dialogue. In Ankara, the pope praised Turkey’s historical role as a bridge between East and West and urged nations to pursue dialogue, justice, and peace. The visit is also framed by broader regional motion, including Leo’s planned interfaith activities in Istanbul and a Lebanon stop that aims to spotlight humanitarian concerns and stabilization efforts. In the region’s domestic arena, Israel’s policy debates continue over the drafting of ultra-Orthodox Jews and the balance between religious obligations and national service. A new draft bill seeks to provide amnesty options for haredim who have evaded service since 2023, a measure that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and raised questions about equal burden-sharing in a country at war. The government argues the change could ease long-standing social frictions and help maintain stability at home during a time of regional volatility. Meanwhile, Israel’s judiciary and government have been engaged in a high-profile dispute over who should oversee investigations into a controversial detention facility leak. Disruptions inside a Jerusalem courtroom drew sharp condemnations from opposition and some coalition members, who argued that the spectacle endangered the rule of law. The court has been weighing qualifications and conflicts of interest as it considers appointing a new official to supervise the probe, while lawmakers and critics have argued that political pressures must not influence judicial independence during a national security crisis. In other news, Israeli military and security officials reported continued activity around Syria and Lebanon, i