Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-09 at 00:07

HEADLINES - Israel strikes Hezbollah targets near Lebanon border - Knesset adviser warns two tier Haredi draft - Two American Jewish women deported from Burin The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. Good evening. This is your 7:00 PM news update. Across the region, authorities are reporting a new volley of security events as Israel maintains a high state of readiness amid a broader regional security picture. First, the Israel Defense Forces say it carried out a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon overnight, targeting positions associated with the Hezbollah militant group. The army said the strikes were conducted under the leadership of the Northern Command and with air support, hitting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah in several areas, including a training and qualification compound used by the organization’s Radwan Force. The military asserted that the facilities targeted were used to plan and execute hostile activities against Israel and its civilians, adding that the operation constitutes a breach of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and poses a threat to the state. Lebanese media outlets reported an exchange of fire and damage in the region, though authorities have not yet confirmed a casualty tally. The strikes come as Israel continues to monitor and counter Hezbollah’s movements along the border, with officials highlighting the frequent threat from Lebanon-based activity and the adversaries’ ongoing efforts to bolster capabilities in the area. In domestic politics, senior legal guidance in the Knesset weighed in on a major security and social issue inside Israel. The Knesset’s legal adviser raised serious concerns about a proposed Haredi draft bill that would create a civil-security service alternative to mandatory military service. The adviser noted that the plan would be shorter in duration, voluntary, and would exclude reserve duty, and argued it does not offer equality with general military service or meet the country’s current security needs. The bill would allow ultra-Orthodox volunteers to serve in bodies such as the Prison Service, Shin Bet, Mossad, and police, but critics say it risks creating a two-tier system and could undermine the core capacity of the armed forces. The issues were laid out during committee hearings, with some coalition members signaling opposition. In parallel, lawmakers and security officials continue to monitor how any change might affect national defense and civilian readiness during ongoing tensions in the region. In another development from the West Bank, a parliamentary hearing examined the deportation of two American Jewish women who joined olive-harvest programs in Burin, a Palestinian town. The two women, who said they were participating through Zionist organizations, were deported after entering a closed military zone declared by the IDF during the olive harvest season. Critics allege enforcement has been selective, pointing to broader questions about the application of closed military zones and access for diaspora Jews. Officials from the interior ministry and immigration authorities testified, with discussions focusing on whether policy should distinguish between individuals with deep ties to Israeli life and diaspora visitors, and how to balance security considerations with civil rights and freedom of expression. The proceedings highlight ongoing tensions between security policy and diaspora engagement in contested areas. On the diplomacy front, Israel announced renewed ties with Bolivia, two years after relations were ruptured during the Gaza conflict. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Bolivia’s foreign and finance ministers were scheduled to meet in Washington to sign an agreement to restore relations, with Bolivia lifting visa requirements for Israeli travelers as part of the move. The announcement follows Bolivia’s election of a center-right president and reflects a broader pattern of resumed ties with Israel in Latin America as governments recalibrate toward regional and bilateral interests after years of strain. Storm Byron continues to loom over the eastern Mediterranean and now Israel’s doorstep. The Israel Meteorological Service warned that Byron could bring a significant rainfall and flood risk across much of the country, potentially amounting to 10 to 20 centimeters (roughly 4 to 8 inches) of rain and strong winds. Forecasters said the worst conditions were likely to arrive midweek, with the heaviest precipitation expected Wednesday through Thursday. Coastal and central areas were flagged for heightened risk, and residents were urged to avoid flood-prone zones, particularly the Negev and Judean Desert regions. The public was advised against swimming in rough seas due to dangerous wave activity. The storm has already affected neighboring Greece and Cyprus, and regional authorities have coordinated naming and reporting practices with Israel since 2021 as part of coope