The Israeli military on Wednesday confirmed the death of a Hamas financial officer in a December 13 airstrike in Gaza, identifying him as a key figure in the group’s armed wing. The official, named Zakut, was killed alongside senior Hamas commander Raed Saad during a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency. Saad was reportedly one of the planners of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

According to IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee, Zakut was responsible for managing millions of dollars in funding for Hamas’s military activities over the past year. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya had earlier confirmed Saad’s death but did not mention Zakut. The IDF described Saad as head of Hamas’s weapons production headquarters, overseeing the group’s military buildup.

The announcement comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, in effect since October 10, which both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating. The identification of Zakut underscores Israel’s continued targeting of Hamas’s financial and military infrastructure.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza, indicating plans to establish military outposts in the northern part of the enclave. His remarks, reported by Israeli media on Tuesday, came as mediators push for the second phase of a ceasefire that includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.

Katz made the statement during a ceremony at the Beit El settlement in the occupied West Bank, asserting that Israel’s continued presence in Gaza is necessary to prevent future attacks. Former minister and ex-chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot sharply criticized Katz’s comments, accusing the government of undermining national unity at a critical security juncture.

The remarks complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts, including proposals for an interim Palestinian authority to govern Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Observers warn that Israel’s stance could stall ceasefire progress and deepen regional tensions.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has proposed building a ‘crocodile-enclosed detention center’ for Palestinian prisoners to prevent escapes, according to Israeli Channel 13. The proposed site lies near Hamat Gader in northern Israel, close to the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the Jordanian border, an area that already hosts a crocodile farm and a zoo.

Ben-Gvir reportedly presented the idea during a security assessment meeting with Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi. The Israeli Knesset is also expected to vote on a separate bill he introduced, which seeks to impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused of planning or participating in attacks against Israel.

Human rights groups in Israel and Palestine have condemned the proposal as inhumane and politically provocative. Over 9,300 Palestinians, including women and children, are currently detained in Israeli prisons. The plan emerges amid ongoing violence in Gaza, where more than 70,900 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to rights monitors.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved the establishment of 19 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to a government statement released on Sunday. The decision, which brings the total number of approved settlements in the past three years to 69, was announced by the office of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, himself a settler living in the West Bank. The statement reaffirmed Israel’s intent to continue expanding settlements in what it calls Judea and Samaria.

The move has sparked strong international backlash. Saudi Arabia condemned the decision, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized it as a serious escalation that undermines prospects for a two-state solution. Guterres warned that continued settlement expansion heightens regional tensions and jeopardizes peace efforts in the Middle East.

Analysts say the approval further isolates Israel diplomatically and complicates any future negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. The development is expected to feature prominently in upcoming UN discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program and potential military responses, according to an NBC News report citing Israeli officials. The meeting is likely to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Netanyahu plans to outline Israel’s assessment of Iran’s growing threat.

Israeli sources told NBC that Tehran has been rebuilding its uranium enrichment facilities following U.S. airstrikes in June, raising fears of renewed escalation. Officials in Jerusalem reportedly intend to alert Trump to possible preemptive action against Iran. The meeting comes only months after a brief two-week conflict between Israel and Iran earlier this year, during which Israel claimed to have damaged Iran’s missile infrastructure.

Neither the Israeli government nor Iran’s mission to the United Nations commented on the report. Analysts suggest the talks could signal Israel’s effort to secure U.S. political backing for future operations, as regional tensions remain high.

Amnesty International has called on governments worldwide to prevent a German-owned cargo vessel from delivering a large consignment of military equipment to Israel. The ship, sailing under the Portuguese flag, is reportedly carrying around 440 tons of mortar bomb components, projectiles, and military-grade steel. Amnesty claims the shipment poses a serious risk of being used in potential war crimes or genocide in Gaza.

According to Amnesty’s verification, the vessel, named *Holger Z*, departed India on November 16 and is en route to the Israeli port of Haifa. The organization’s senior director for research and advocacy, Erika Guevara-Rosas, stated that allowing the cargo to reach Israel could contribute to ongoing atrocities against Palestinians. She warned that countries continuing normal trade with Israel risk complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity.

The appeal comes amid heightened scrutiny of arms transfers to Israel during the Gaza conflict. Observers expect renewed debate over international arms control and accountability mechanisms in the coming weeks.

Israel’s war cabinet has reportedly discussed the possibility of launching a new military offensive in Gaza, according to state broadcaster Kan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired the meeting, which focused on potential changes in U.S. policy toward the conflict. Officials reviewed scenarios in which Washington might scale back its direct involvement or advance President Donald Trump’s proposals without Israeli government approval.

A senior Israeli official told Kan that if diplomatic efforts fail or the U.S. position changes fundamentally, renewed military action could be considered. The meeting took place ahead of Netanyahu’s planned December 29 meeting with Trump in Florida. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Turkish, Qatari, and Egyptian representatives in Miami to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.

The current ceasefire, implemented on October 10 under Trump’s mediation, ended two years of intense Israeli operations in Gaza that reportedly killed around 71,000 people, mostly women and children. Analysts warn that renewed hostilities could destabilize fragile regional diplomacy and humanitarian recovery efforts.

European members of the UN Security Council have sharply condemned escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, calling it a record level of aggression. In a joint statement delivered by UK Ambassador James Kariuki on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, the group cited over 260 attacks against Palestinians in October alone, according to UN humanitarian data.

Kariuki emphasized that the Council will revisit Resolution 2334, which explicitly denounces settlement activities and urges Israel to comply with international law. He warned that current Israeli policies contradict the resolution, heightening instability in the West Bank and jeopardizing both Gaza’s 20-point recovery plan and prospects for a two-state solution.

The European bloc reiterated opposition to illegal settlement expansion, forced evictions in East Jerusalem, and new housing projects. They urged Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and preserve the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites, underscoring that continued violence undermines peace efforts and regional stability.

Israel has released 11 Palestinian detainees after holding them for several months, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners Information Office. The release took place through a southern Gaza border crossing, though no details were provided about the prisoners’ physical condition. The International Committee of the Red Cross transported them to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for medical evaluation.

Previous groups of released detainees had reported signs of torture, malnutrition, and serious injuries, alleging mistreatment during detention. Human rights organizations in both Israel and Palestine estimate that more than 10,000 Palestinians, including women and minors, remain imprisoned in Israel. Many face poor conditions, inadequate medical care, and reports of abuse.

The latest release follows earlier prisoner exchanges linked to ceasefire arrangements between Hamas and Israel. Observers say the move may signal limited progress in humanitarian negotiations, though concerns persist over the treatment of detainees and the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel has approved a record-breaking natural gas export agreement with Egypt valued at approximately $34.67 billion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deal, involving the Leviathan gas field and partners including U.S. energy giant Chevron, as the largest in Israel’s history and a historic milestone. The agreement will see Israel supply gas to Egypt over several years, expanding the countries’ energy cooperation.

The announcement comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, according to the United Nations and human rights groups. Observers note the stark contrast between Israel’s expanding regional economic partnerships and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestinian territories. Critics argue that while Israel promotes regional stability through energy diplomacy, its actions in Gaza undermine that goal.

Egypt’s declining gas production since 2022 has increased its reliance on Israeli imports, reshaping the regional energy landscape. Analysts suggest the deal could strengthen Israel’s role as a key energy supplier in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Israeli military is reportedly facing a severe personnel crisis as hundreds of soldiers and officers have submitted resignation letters, while many are also leaving the country. According to Israeli media reports cited by TRT World, around 500 resignation applications have been filed by regular officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs). The military leadership has issued warnings regarding the growing trend of soldiers emigrating, which is exacerbating the staffing shortage.

Officials within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expressed concern that the number of resignations could increase further, potentially affecting operational readiness. Reports indicate that the army is struggling to persuade thousands of officers and NCOs to remain in service. The situation comes amid ongoing regional tensions and internal pressures within the defense establishment.

Analysts suggest that if the exodus continues, the IDF may face challenges in maintaining its current deployment levels and training programs. The military is expected to introduce retention measures or incentives in the coming months to stabilize its workforce.

Israel has barred a Canadian delegation from entering the occupied West Bank, labeling the group a potential threat to public security. The delegation included six Canadian Members of Parliament and representatives from the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). The group had previously received entry approval, which was later revoked by Israeli authorities.

Israeli officials stated that the visit was organized by Canadian Muslim Vote, which they claim receives significant funding from Islamic Relief Canada — an affiliate of an organization Israel designates as a terrorist entity. NCCM head Stephen Brown criticized the decision as deeply troubling and disappointing, arguing that it restricts independent observation of conditions in the occupied territories. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed that Ottawa had contacted the delegation and expressed concern over the treatment of Canadian citizens.

Islamic Relief Canada is not listed as a terrorist organization in Canada and has received government grants for humanitarian work abroad. The diplomatic tension may strain Canada-Israel relations as both sides defend their positions on security and human rights oversight.

An Israeli soldier has died by suicide inside a northern military base, marking the 61st such case since Israel’s Gaza offensive began in October 2023. According to TRT World, the soldier, serving under mandatory military service, shot himself and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Tuesday evening. Israeli police have launched an investigation into the incident.

The rise in suicides among returning soldiers has drawn attention to the psychological toll of prolonged conflict. Data from the Knesset Research and Information Center show that between early 2024 and July 2025, 279 Israeli soldiers attempted suicide. Analysts and mental health advocates have urged the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to expand counseling and rehabilitation programs for troops exposed to combat trauma.

Observers warn that without systemic mental health reforms, the IDF could face a growing crisis of morale and readiness. The government is expected to review existing support mechanisms for soldiers in the coming months.

Mossad Director David Barnea declared that Israel bears the responsibility to ensure Iran cannot revive its nuclear program, speaking at a Jerusalem ceremony honoring agency operatives. His remarks came six months after Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict that also saw U.S. involvement. Barnea emphasized continued cooperation with Washington to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its damaged nuclear infrastructure.

Barnea, whose term ends in June 2026, praised Israel’s surprise attacks for exposing deep intelligence penetration inside Iran. He warned that Iran still harbors ambitions for nuclear weapons and criticized diplomatic efforts, claiming Tehran seeks to deceive the international community into accepting another flawed nuclear deal. Western nations have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear arms, though Tehran denies the allegations.

The comments follow the collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiations mediated by Oman after June’s Israeli strikes. While former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the attacks destroyed Iran’s nuclear program, Pentagon assessments suggest only a temporary setback of one to two years, leaving uncertainty over Iran’s future nuclear capabilities.

Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have persisted across Gaza despite the October 10 ceasefire agreement brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Nearly 400 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, as winter storms and flooding worsen the humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of temporary shelters have been submerged, and aid deliveries remain blocked by Israeli forces, leaving displaced families to rebuild makeshift camps from debris.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family near Jericho, injuring five, including a child. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities plan to demolish 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected Israel’s latest appeal to halt investigations into alleged war crimes in Gaza, reaffirming that incidents following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack fall within its jurisdiction.

The ruling clears the way for continued ICC scrutiny of Israeli actions, including prior arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Analysts warn that renewed violence and the killing of Hamas official Raad Saad could further complicate ceasefire efforts.