Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-11-27 at 22:06

HEADLINES Israel strikes Hezbollah on ceasefire anniversary Iran warns strong response as talks resume White House attack renews US migrant debate The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. This is the 5:00 PM update on the latest developments across the Middle East and related international strands. In a move linked to the 12-day war that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire last year, Israel conducted a new wave of strikes in southern Lebanon on the first anniversary of the ceasefire. The Israeli military said it hit rocket-launching sites, depots, and military posts belonging to Hezbollah, asserting that continued Hezbollah activity in the border area violated the understandings at the heart of the ceasefire. The IDF added that it has carried out hundreds of airstrikes and more than 1,200 raids since the ceasefire, aimed at preventing Hezbollah from restoring its capabilities. On the civilian side, the UN rights office has said Israel’s strikes have killed at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire, a toll Lebanon’s health ministry says has surpassed 330. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, while criticizing Hezbollah’s weapons posture, emphasized that deterrence cannot be taken for granted in a volatile neighborhood. The pope’s upcoming visit to Beirut and other parts of Lebanon this weekend adds another international dimension to a period of heightened security concerns along the border. Across the region, current statements from Iran continue to shape the broader security landscape. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in remarks marking the Basij day and in the wake of reports about renewed discussions with the United States on the nuclear file, characterized the Trump administration as not worthy of engagement and suggested that contact with a government it deems illegitimate would be inappropriate. He praised a sense of national unity inside Iran during the 12-day war, while warning that the Islamic Republic would respond decisively to any aggression. Tehran’s leadership has also repeatedly signaled its intent to protect its own strategic aims, even as talks with Washington have faced renewed scrutiny. Separately, Iran’s defense leadership has stressed vigilance and readiness, framing any future conflict as one where Tehran would respond with strength to pressure on its economy and social stability. In related reporting, a Wall Street Journal dispatch cited accusations that Iran moved hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah through Dubai-based channels in a bid to circumvent sanctions, illustrating how financial networks connect Tehran’s regional allies. On the covert and diplomatic fronts, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen offered a rare, direct glimpse into Israel’s intelligence posture, saying operatives are active on Iranian soil rather than operating strictly by proxy. He also touched on ongoing normalization discussions with Saudi Arabia and suggested that a path to broader ties could potentially move the Palestinian issue to a background, though publicly Israel has kept its stated position that progress with Riyadh must be anchored in a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood. The timing of these discussions coincides with US arms support moves in the region, including a major package for Saudi Arabia that has spurred debate over maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge. In Israel’s internal arena, the Military Advocate General’s Corps has a new leader. Itai Ofir was sworn in as MAG, taking over amid a wider crisis within the corps following the leak of a detainee video from Sde Teiman and subsequent investigations into senior figures. Defense Minister Israel Katz underscored the need to restore public trust, calling the moment a test of professionalism, transparency, and accountability. Ofir pledged to serve the state faithfully and to navigate the corps through what officials describe as a demanding period for the military justice system. Meanwhile in the United States, the security and political mix remains tense. An Afghan national who had served with a CIA-backed force in Afghanistan was identified as the gunman in the attack near the White House that left two National Guard members critically injured. Federal authorities opened an international terrorism investigation as the White House and other federal agencies responded with tightened security and a rapid deployment of additional troops to the capital. Officials cautioned that the motive remains under investigation. The incident has renewed debates about asylum policies and the screening of migrants who have previously worked with US forces abroad. In Washington, President Trump framed the event in stark terms calling for stringent steps against non-citizens who do not belong in the country, highlighting the national debate over immigration and security policy. Afghan resettlement programs, which have brought tens of thousands of Afghans t