Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-06 at 20:05

HEADLINES Hebron attack wounds soldier as assailants killed Gvili family demands return as ceasefire moves Hezbollah won’t disarm without Iran decision The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. At 3:00 PM local time, a vehicle accelerated toward a group of soldiers at the Hebron checkpoint, wounding one Israeli. The two assailants were shot and killed by security forces. In Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog told Politico he respects President Trump’s call for a pardon of Prime Minister Netanyahu but emphasized that Israel is a sovereign state and the decision on any amnesty will be made in the best interests of the Israeli people and on the merits of the case. He added that any pre-emptive pardon would be considered with the utmost seriousness. In defense and security circles, critics have urged that IDF inquiries and promotions follow established procedures, with some lawmakers stressing that ultimate decisions rest with the political leadership, headed by the prime minister, and that the defense minister’s role is to ensure those decisions are carried out. Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, arrived in Israel for his first official visit, focusing on trade and Gaza. He was to meet President Herzog upon arrival and would hold talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu in the days ahead as part of efforts to broaden cooperation between the two countries. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul said mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani cannot arrest Netanyahu and voiced support for an anti-BDS order, reflecting the tension between political rhetoric and legal constraints in the United States. The United States has pressed Israel to advance phase II of the Gaza ceasefire, even as Ran Gvili’s family demands his return. Washington signaled that progress on the ceasefire should proceed in parallel with efforts to recover missing personnel, while Jerusalem warned that moving ahead now could lessen leverage over Hamas. The family of Ran Gvili has urged that no forward steps be taken until he is brought home. In Bethlehem, as Christmas lights returned to the city’s Manger Square, the mood mixed hope with memory of hardship. A 20-meter Christmas tree glowed for the first time since 2022 as thousands gathered, despite the economic strains and movement restrictions that have weighed on the city during the Gaza war. Local residents spoke of a longing for peace, even as they acknowledged the broader toll of the conflict on Gaza and the West Bank. An Israeli ambassador to the United States addressed Lebanon, saying Israel seeks security and partnership rather than land, and inviting dialogue toward a future in which stability and peace could be anchored in broader regional arrangements, including potential movement toward a new phase of cooperation. At the Doha Forum, Arab states appeared to converge on the need to move Gaza toward the next phase of talks, but officials indicated reluctance to dispatch their own personnel to participate directly in a wider deployment, signaling a cautious approach to regional involvement while seeking guarantees for a durable ceasefire. In the West Bank, the IDF said it is probing reservists who allegedly beat a Palestinian teenager, Owais Hamam, near Khirbet Bani Hairth after an incident in which Hamam said he was assaulted by settlers and then detained by soldiers. The army described Hamam’s injuries as disturbing and said the conduct would be thoroughly examined, while reservists claimed the boy approached them and that he had sustained injuries after falling. Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said Hezbollah will not relinquish its weapons without an Iranian decision, arguing that disarmament remains a Lebanese priority but is contingent on Tehran’s position. Rajji indicated Beirut is pushing to regain control over its territory and reduce Hezbollah’s capabilities, while noting that the Lebanese Armed Forces aim to seize Hezbollah weapons in southern Lebanon by year’s end. The broader ceasefire framework remains delicate, with ongoing Israeli airstrikes and a continuing sense of tension along the border. Analysts note that US policy discussions continue to grapple with how to balance a push for a Gaza ceasefire with the need to deter further escalation in the region, including Iran’s influence over allied proxies. Debates in Washington and European capitals also touch on how much leverage to exert on allies and how to maintain international support for humanitarian relief and stabilization. Regional dynamics remain fluid as Arab states signal openness to progress on Gaza while avoiding direct deployments, and as Israel weighs security imperatives amid tactically calibrated diplomacy. Observers emphasize that the war’s humanitarian toll, political sensitivities at home, and international responses will shape the pace and nature of any ceasefire implementation and broader peace efforts in the months ahead. Thank you for tuning in to th