Israel has declared a national emergency as wildfires spread rapidly across the country. Defense Minister Israel Katz has requested military assistance to control the blaze. Several major highways, including Route 1 between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, have been closed, and train services on this route have been suspended.

While the US and Iran, mediated by Oman, have held three rounds of negotiations aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a more aggressive approach. Netanyahu argued that the only “good deal” would involve completely dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, similar to the 2003 agreement made with Libya. However, reports suggest that former US President Donald Trump does not support such aggressive action.

British MP Shaukat Adam was barred from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque via an Israeli-controlled gate during a visit to Jerusalem. Adam, an independent MP from Leicester South, and Andrew George, a Liberal Democrat MP from St Ives, were part of a delegation touring Hebron, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and East Jerusalem. Eyewitnesses reported that Adam was singled out and denied access because of his Muslim identity.

Just two days before their scheduled visit to Israel and Palestinian territories, Israel has revoked the visas of 27 left-wing French MPs and local officials. This comes after Israel previously barred two members of the Israeli Labor Party from entry. Citing national law, Israeli authorities say they reserve the right to deny entry to individuals perceived as hostile to the Israeli state. The affected MPs, aligned with environmentalist and communist parties, condemned the move as “collective punishment” and called for intervention from French President Emmanuel Macron.

More than 128,000 Israeli citizens have signed various online petitions on the platform Restart Israel, demanding an end to the war in Gaza if that’s what it takes to bring home the Israeli hostages. The petitions directly oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s aggressive stance. With four new petitions recently added, the total has risen to 47. Among the signatories are over 11,000 reservists and retired military personnel who have endorsed at least 20 of these petitions. Some petitions even include calls to dismiss the current government.

More than 250 former Mossad officers and security personnel, including ex-chiefs Danny Yatom, Efraim Halevy, and Tamir Pardo, have joined the call to end the war in Gaza. They argue that continued conflict endangers hostages and soldiers. “Each passing day risks lives and tarnishes our national integrity,” their open letter states. Over 1,000 IDF reservists had previously issued a similar plea. Writers and cultural figures have also voiced opposition, calling the war politically driven rather than a matter of national security.

Israeli forces have advanced 12 miles into Syrian territory, escalating from air raids to direct land occupation. Several areas have already been captured, and at least nine military outposts have been set up. On December 8, Israeli troops launched a sudden attack on Rasem al-Rawadi near Quneitra. Local resident Ali al-Ahmad reported that homes were searched and some destroyed, with displaced families housed in schools. The village has been under Israeli control for the past four months, during which around 350 people have been forcibly evicted, and some have been killed. Israel claims support from Syria’s Druze population to legitimize the occupation. Protests have erupted across Damascus, Daraa, Khan Arnabah, Suwayda, Quneitra, and other areas. The Druze community has even rejected humanitarian aid in defiance of the aggression.

The Israeli military has dismissed about 1,000 reservists after they signed a letter demanding an end to the war in Gaza. Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi approved the dismissals on Thursday. The open letter, signed earlier this week by several Israeli Air Force members, described the war as politically motivated rather than for national security. The signatories argued that hostages could only be freed through a ceasefire, not continued conflict.

The Israeli military has released 80 Palestinian detainees from Gaza, transferring them through the Israeli-controlled Kissufim crossing near eastern Khan Younis on Thursday.

According to a local doctor, at least 10 of those released are in critical condition and have been admitted to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. One individual is reported to be in extremely grave condition, unable to move and showing clear signs of physical abuse.

Israel is threatening to dismiss 970 air force personnel, including reserve pilots and regular staff, who signed a letter objecting to the Gaza military operations and demanding an end to the war. Senior commanders have contacted many signatories, offering them the chance to remain only if they withdraw their names. So far, only 25 have agreed to do so.

A 17-year-old Palestinian boy, Walid Ahmed, has reportedly died in Israel’s Megiddo prison after allegedly being denied food. He had been held without charge for six months. Walid collapsed suddenly and died from a severe head injury.

Following appeals from his family, Israeli authorities conducted an autopsy, overseen by Dr. Daniel Solomon. The findings revealed that Walid suffered from acute malnutrition, inflammation, colon complications, and scabies. Reuters reports that his body showed signs of extreme weight loss and muscle wasting.

The U.S. has delivered a second THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system to Israel. The massive American C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft landed at Israel’s Nevatim Air Base and remained for eight hours during the offloading process. This marks a continued expansion of U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.

Three Israelis recently released from Hamas captivity joined a weekly Tel Aviv rally, urging the government to secure the release of 59 remaining hostages. Liri Albak, Omer Onkart, and Gadi Moses condemned the renewed military offensive, saying it endangers hostages’ lives. Moses, 80, urged the Israeli government to end the war and implement the second phase of the hostage release agreement.

A new survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute, titled The Israeli Society Index, reveals that 60% of Israelis agree—albeit cautiously—that the country may be heading toward civil war.

The study also found that food insecurity is now affecting around 1.5 million Israeli settlers. The warning echoes earlier concerns raised by former Israeli Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, who had cautioned about the growing risk of internal conflict. While 27% of respondents agreed with Barak and said his warning was accurate, 33% felt his comments were somewhat exaggerated but still acknowledged the potential danger. Only 16% of Jewish respondents believe there is no risk of civil war in Israel. Meanwhile, 51% of voters said there should be no political interference in the dismissal of the intelligence chief.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared plans to tighten military control over Gaza by securing the Morag Corridor, similar to the already-occupied Philadelphi Corridor. Israeli forces attempted to seize the corridor on Tuesday night. Located between Khan Younis and Rafah, the corridor was named after a former Israeli settlement vacated in 2005. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will continue escalating military action and the blockade until all hostages are returned.