HEADLINES
Freed hostage Mor showcases defiant gun-range footage
Iran recruits Ugandan for spying Israeli embassies
Yemen drug seizure 447 kg marks landmark

The time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This hour’s regional update covers security developments, cross-border crime, and diplomacy unfolding across the Middle East and nearby theaters, as governments and communities respond to ongoing challenges and shifting alignments.

In Gaza, a freed hostage, Eitan Mor, released footage showing him at a gun range and aiming at an image of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The moment is being described as a personal gesture of defiance by Mor, who was among those released in exchanges related to the conflict, while Israeli authorities emphasize security measures and the risk environment faced by civilians and former captives alike.

Across the region, reports allege that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps—Quds Force units—recruited a Ugandan construction worker to spy on Israeli embassies in Africa, pressing him to acquire a gun and grenades for a possible attack. Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the claims, but the report highlights ongoing concerns about Iran’s use of clandestine networks and external operations aimed at Israel and its interests abroad.

In Yemen, a major seizure of narcotics and performance-enhancing substances—447 kilograms in total—has been described by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a landmark moment in the fight against cross-border drug trafficking. Investigators note that Syrian and Iranian drugmakers are believed to have shifted operations to Yemen amid the country’s war and economic crisis, with the Huthi movement said to rely on illicit trading networks for revenue. Interpol’s Yemen-based security coordinator described the dismantling of early production capacity and warned that further labs were being planned. Iranian officials rejected the allegations as unfounded, while calling Iran’s counter-crime efforts globally recognized. The operation is being framed as part of a broader push by authorities to curb the proliferation of illicit substances that can fund armed groups and destabilize the region. Experts say the crackdown showcases how criminal networks are reconfiguring routes and partners in the evolving security landscape.

In Iraq, a drone attack on the Khor Mor gas field disrupted operations and caused power outages in northern regions, damaging critical infrastructure and halting gas supplies to power stations. Iraqi authorities are investigating the incident as security services reassess vulnerabilities around energy facilities that hold strategic importance for regional electricity grids and economic stability.

In Washington, Senator Marco Rubio directed US diplomats to press host governments to restrict immigration, providing talking points that discuss displacement, sexual assault as consequences of mass migration, and concerns about radical ideologies among certain populations. The guidance reflects ongoing US policy discussions about migration, security, and political cohesion in partner countries, as officials weigh how best to frame these issues in diplomatic engagements.

Inside Israel, the wave of violence affecting Arab communities continues to draw attention. A 15-year-old boy, Labib Safiya, was killed in the northern town of Kafr Yasif in what officials describe as a likely criminal shooting, with stray bullets claimed as the cause. Across 2025, Arab citizens of Israel have experienced a surge in homicides, with some advocacy groups reporting that a relatively small percentage of cases are solved and that communities feel excluded from high-level discussions about prevention and response. Authorities have launched a manhunt and are reviewing security measures in affected towns as part of broader efforts to reduce violence and restore public confidence.

The region’s religious and diplomatic landscape is also navigating high-profile visits and messages. Pope Leo’s first overseas trip as pope includes Turkey and Lebanon, marking his intention to advocate for peace in the Middle East and to encourage unity among Christian communities long divided by history. In Ankara and Istanbul, he will meet President Erdogan and Orthodox leadership, later traveling to Iznik, the site of the ancient council that shaped the Nicene Creed. The trip proceeds amid the broader context of Middle East tensions and recent security incidents, including a contentious strike in Beirut that killed a senior Hezbollah commander and public statements from Iran portraying Hezbollah as a strategic asset. Lebanese officials have rejected such framing as an infringement on sovereignty, underscoring the sensitive balance between regional actors and cross-border influence.

In Lebanon, the government has publicly rebuked Iran’s assertion that Hezbollah is “vital as bread,” warning that portraying the group as indispensable undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability. The episode follows ongoing regional frictions linked to Iran’s influence and the complex web of alignments that shape the security calculus in the Levant.

Looking ahead, participants in regional diplomacy and security monitoring emphasize the need for vigilance across multiple fronts—from the operational risks faced by gas and power infrastructure to the persistent challenges of illicit trafficking, violent crime, and the broader struggle to align humanitarian protection with security imperatives. For international audiences, the threads tying these developments together include the persistence of non-state actors, the shifting dynamics of US policy and allied diplomacy, and the ongoing search for stability amid competing narratives and strategic rivalries.

This is the latest consolidated snapshot of events, reflecting official statements, reported incidents, and the evolving considerations that influence policy and public safety across the region.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
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https://www.jpost.com/international/article-876349
https://www.timesofisrael.com/boy-15-shot-to-death-in-northern-town-reportedly-by-accident/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/11/pope-leo-heading-turkey-closely-watched-first-overseas-trip
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