HEADLINES
Rafah Crossing Reopens in Pilot Phase
Iranian Cyber Campaign Targets Dissidents Israeli Figures
IDF Chief Visits US Amid Iran Tensions
The time is now 7:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a partial reopening of the Rafah border marks another step in Gaza’s ceasefire framework as of Sunday. The crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopens for a limited subset of travelers under tight supervision, described as a pilot phase intended to test operations ahead of full pedestrian passage, with movement in the near term limited to individuals and subject to security checks and oversight by international observers including the European Union Border Assistance Mission. The development follows a period of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza in response to ceasefire violations, and Israel says it has struck Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets after fighters were identified exiting underground facilities in eastern Rafah. Palestinians in Gaza reported casualties in those strikes, underscoring ongoing fragility around the agreement. In parallel, Israeli forces have conducted operations to clear areas near the Yellow Line in southern Gaza, with a tunnel found hundreds of meters long that contained three living quarters and a cache of weapons, including dozens of grenades, cartridges, Kalashnikov rifles, RPG launchers, explosives, and protective vests. The discovery comes after reports that Israeli forces had previously captured a Hamas commander during operations in Rafah. On the border, European-backed security measures are being weighed, with Hebrew-language reporting indicating plans for the crossing to operate on a fixed, pedestrian-focused basis under partial Israeli supervision beginning soon, and that the entry and exit of Gazan residents will occur in a staged, pilot fashion. In a separate international security development tied to the same theater, Spanish police reportedly arrested a Chinese hair salon owner accused of financing Hamas, with investigators seizing crypto assets, cash, thousands of cigars, jewelry, computers, and mobile phones during searches of the salon and the suspect’s home, reflecting broader concerns about financing networks connected to the Gaza conflict. The Rafah arrangements are described as part of the broader ceasefire framework agreed in October, with mentions of phase B of the Trump deal shaping the terms of how the crossing may operate in the days ahead. Some reports also indicate that patients will not cross today as the pilot phase proceeds, with plans calling for pedestrian movement to begin subsequent to preparatory steps.
In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a new cyber campaign attributed to Iranian-linked actors targets dissidents and Israeli figures, offering a stark reminder of the region’s cyber dimensions. The scheme allows alleged IRGC-affiliated hackers to capture photos from the victim’s device every five seconds, record audio in three-second segments, and geolocate the device every two seconds, signaling a pervasive surveillance capability. Beyond dissidents abroad, activists, Syrian opposition members, journalists, and Israeli diplomats are among those named as possible targets, with some indicators that individuals connected to Israeli media and policy circles have been approached or identified as targets. At the same time, the Israeli military has stepped up pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon, with forces on high alert and intelligence assessments warning of threats to the Israeli home front amid renewed tensions. In Syria, authorities said they dismantled a Hezbollah-linked cell after attacks in Damascus, with drones and rockets seized near a military airport and several suspects arrested following strikes that damaged a mosque and surrounding sites but caused no fatalities. Meanwhile, a new statement attributed to Iran’s supreme leader signaled a broader, ongoing red line in regional confrontations, and Washington has signaled that any Iranian response would be met with significant consequences, reflecting an escalating regional calculus as the clock tightens for Tehran and its allies.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, top military and political figures are engaging with the United States amid escalating tensions with Iran. In the background, a senior Israeli defense official confirmed that talks with American counterparts occurred in Washington over the weekend, underscoring continued US-Israel coordination as regional tensions rise. A separate report notes that the IDF chief traveled to the United States and held discussions with US officials amid Iran tensions, highlighting the ongoing alignment of security strategies.Reports also indicate that, from Washington’s side, there is a sense that the clock may be running down on Tehran’s options, with references to statements suggesting that while a strike on Iran is not off the table, the timing and scope remain under consideration, and warnings of broader regional consequences accompany any action. Together, these items sketch a picture of active US-Israel deliberations aimed at deterring Iran’s regional posture while preparing for potential escalation or restraint, depending on how Tehran and its proxies respond in the coming days.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Maryland man pleaded guilty to planning to join ISIS and attack Jews, with court documents detailing concrete steps toward becoming a terrorist and to carrying out an attack against Jewish targets, reflecting ongoing concerns about homegrown extremism and the capacity of individuals to pursue violent acts.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the northern region again takes center stage as Cabinet members traveled to Kiryat Shmona for a planning session that critics say was more performative than substantive. Eitan Davidi, head of Moshav Margaliot, called the gathering a “certificate of poverty” for the government and warned of negative migration and economic decline should the government fail to address regional realities. Separately, discourse around hostages and negotiations has intensified after former commander Gal Hirsch publicly challenged the government’s approach in a live interview on The Patriots program, arguing that the pursuit of an absolute narrative around hostages risks prolonging suffering. Supporters, including the Hope Forum, backed Hirsch’s stance, while some observers suggested his comments reframed the political debate around the conduct and messaging of the hostage negotiations. In the same context, residents of Kiryat Shmona expressed frustration during government discussions, reflecting concerns about the city’s future as the war drags on. Related reporting suggests that the government is weighing structural changes for the region, including plans for a new university in Kiryat Shmona, incentives for residents and businesses, subsidies for high-tech and advanced industry, and investments in health, transportation, and housing as part of a broader north-facing revival strategy.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel’s economy marches forward with a major international technology investment and a northern revival plan. NVIDIA announced it will participate in the Space City project at Mitzpe Ramon, a joint venture led by Creation Space that envisions Israel’s largest civilian space research and development campus, combining academic campuses, a mission-control facility, laboratories simulating Martian conditions, a startup accelerator, and cross-sector collaboration. The project is funded by government and private sources, including NIS 100 million from Jewish National Fund-USA, the Mirage Foundation, CreationsVC, Israel’s Growth and Investment Authority, the Innovation Authority, and the Israel Space Agency, all operating under the Innovation, Science, and Technology Ministry. Space City is pitched as a hub that could shorten the path from idea to market by offering a full ecosystem for entrepreneurs. In parallel, the government unveiled an emergency program for border towns in the north, including the establishment of a university campus in Kiryat Shmona, grants for residents and businesses, subsidized wages for high-tech and advanced industry, and investments in health, transportation, and housing, coordinated by a cross-ministerial leadership team to accelerate execution. In corporate mobility news, KLM said it would resume flights to Israel, resuming service that had been paused during regional tensions, signaling continued normalization and connectivity for the country.
In Uplifting News, Jerusalang is building bridges through language exchange in Jerusalem, turning the city’s multilingual fabric into a social hub that brings together Jews, Arabs, locals and newcomers. Avner Oland, a 28-year-old linguistics and business student, founded Jerusalang, which has grown into a bustling scene where participants rotate among Hebrew, Arabic, English, Spanish, French, and Russian, aided by labeled stickers indicating languages spoken and languages to practice. The project has drawn thousands of participants from across religious and ethnic backgrounds, creating spaces where diverse communities can interact, share culture, and learn from one another in a casual setting.
In Other News, the region sees a mix of conflict and culture. In Pakistan’s restive Balochistan, a sequence of Baloch Liberation Army attacks produced a high toll, with reported deaths and ongoing questions about regional stability as authorities say large-scale operations continue to destabilize the area. In Jerusalem, an exploration of sculpture highlights how contemporary Israeli artists push the language of sculpture beyond traditional boundaries, examining how global influences and local heritage shape new works. A construction-site accident in northern Israel left a 57-year-old worker with moderate injuries, prompting emergency m
