Friday, September 26, 2025

What You Need to Know:

The diplomatic front remains the biggest challenge for Israel’s leadership as the nation becomes more isolated on the world stage. In response to UN declarations recognizing a Palestinian state, members of Israel’s right-wing government have advocated establishing Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The move will enrage world governments and also has the potential to bring down Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition government.

President Trump, who unveiled his plan for ending the Gaza war to a group of Muslim leaders from eight nations, has publicly stated that he will not allow Israel to annex its biblical heartland. Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to meet President Trump on September 29, with annexation sure to be one of the topics of discussion.

Tension surrounding the latest Gaza flotilla increased dramatically with announcements by Spain and Italy that they are sending naval vessels to aid the flotilla. Israel has offered to receive any humanitarian aid carried by the flotilla at the Ashdod port and deliver it to Gaza. Instead, the group of 350 activists refused the offer, leaving Israel’s leaders with another diplomatic time bomb.

Saudi Arabia recently signed a defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan. The move away from the kingdom’s alignment with the US presents another complexity of shifting alliances that Israel’s leaders must navigate.

Dig Deeper:

Defeat at the UN; Israel Sinks to a New Diplomatic Low

President Trump’s Plan to End Gaza War Presented to Muslim Leaders at UN

New Gaza Flotilla on its way; Does Israel Have the Legal Right to Intercept It?

Saudi Arabia Signs Defense Pact with Nuclear-Armed Pakistan

What You Need to Know:

Jewish holidays are always times of higher security as terror attacks seem to increase during what is supposed to be times of celebration and commemoration.

Last week, a number of rockets were discovered near Ramallah and members of the terror cell responsible for producing them were arrested. Israeli security forces remain on high alert in Judea and Samaria in the aftermath of the recent UN recognition of a Palestinian state.

Houthi drones struck Eilat twice in the past week, once without damage or injuries. The second drone strike resulted in 22 injured, two seriously. The IDF is investigating why interception efforts failed.

Egypt’s military buildup in the Sinai has added to tensions between the two nations, although Egypt claims it is acting to prevent an influx of Gazans fleeing the Strip. The increased military activity violates terms of the Camp David Accords, signed in 1979, which call for a buffer zone along Egypt’s border with Israel. 

The danger that Iran poses to Israel is far from over. While Britain, Germany and France are accusing Iran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal and threatening to re-impose sanctions, Tehran claims they are able to withstand such international action. In addition, they claim to have tested an intercontinental missile, threatening the security of the Middle East and the world itself.

Dig Deeper:

Risk to Central Israel; IDF Locates Rocket in Samaria as Incidents Increase

Escalation in Judea and Samaria: Dozens of Rockets Found in Ramallah

22 Wounded as Houthi Drone Strikes Eilat

Netanyahu Calls on US to Curb Egypt’s Sinai Military Buildup

Iran Tests of ‘Most Advanced Missile Yet’

What You Need to Know:

On September 21—coming only minutes apart and using similar language—the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia formally declared recognition of a Palestinian state. The following day, nine additional nations officially recognized Palestine at the Two-State Conference led by France and Saudi Arabia. Finland, Japan and South Korea along with a number of South Pacific nations have not signed the declaration, although the Japanese prime minister clarified that a Palestinian state recognition is a matter of “when, not if.” At this time, Israel’s only remaining ally at the UN is the United States.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has promised a formal response upon his return from the United States, his one comment on Palestinian statehood being: “It will not happen.”

A commission of inquiry, established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021, released a report accusing Israel of seeking permanent control over the Gaza Strip, naming six prominent Israeli government officials as guilty of international crimes, including incitement to genocide. The report will be submitted to the UN General Assembly on October 28 with recommendations for actions to be taken regarding Gaza as well as Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, known to the world as the West Bank. Among the Israeli leaders accused are Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Dig Deeper:

UK, Canada, Australia Recognize the State of Palestine

PM Netanyahu: There Will Be No Palestinian State

Nine More Nations Recognize a Palestinian State at French–Saudi Conference

UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide, Seeking Permanent Control In Gaza

What You Need to Know:

IDF ground operations continue in Gaza City, the last Hamas stronghold. IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Efi Defrin told foreign media: “We have no choice but to fight for our future. (We) are fighting both above and below ground.” Never far from the IDF’s minds and hearts is the search to locate and release the 48 remaining hostages.

The urban battlefield in Gaza City presents challenges that no other modern army faces. The area contains explosive traps, hidden in the rubble or in the walls and floors of high rise buildings, camouflaged to prevent discovery. A number of these can be triggered remotely as IDF troops enter the area. Furthermore, the use of hospitals as command centers and sniper posts continues as shown by footage released by the IDF of terrorists firing from Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital.

On the humanitarian aid front, Hamas has become even more blatant in their attempts to prevent any aid from reaching Gazan citizens. This week, Hamas gunmen opened fire on UN workers as they were in the final stages of preparing a new road for aid trucks, then stole the UN vehicle and erected a sand barrier to prevent deliveries. In another incident, UNICEF reported a hijacking of a truck carrying enough baby formula for 2,700 infants, showing once again that Hamas cares nothing for the welfare of the Gazan population.

Dig Deeper:

Soldier KIA in Gaza Bringing IDF Wartime Toll to 912

IDF Footage Shows Terrorists Firing from Hospital in Gaza City

Hamas Fires on UN, Steals Baby Formula, “Trying to Create a Crisis Narrative”

Between Hostages and Battle Zones, the IAF’s New Method to Protect Troops

What You Need to Know:

If honking horns are an indicator of the amount of stress Israelis are feeling these days, the measurement would be off the charts. Jerusalem is currently a city under construction, with several roads torn up for the expansion of its light rail as well as new high-rise buildings popping up. Added to the stress of nearly two years of war—the longest modern Israel has experienced—the severe traffic congestion is almost too much. The entire nation is weary and in need of continued prayer, but this week, we will give specific focus to the families of the hostages.

Mass anti-war protests led by family members of the hostages who remain in Gaza continue across the nation. The anguish they are experiencing is beyond fathoming. With posters and yellow ribbons everywhere, it is impossible to forget the 20 living hostages, two in grave condition, according to Israeli authorities, who have been held in horrific conditions for over 720 days.

To add to the nation’s pain, Hamas recently escalated its psychological warfare by comparing the fate of the hostages to that of Ron Arad, an Israeli Air Force navigator who ejected from his fighter plane over Lebanon in 1986 and whose body has never been recovered.

Dig Deeper:

Mass Protests across Israel for the Hostages

Hamas Escalates its Psychological Warfare with Regard to Fate of Hostages

What You Need to Know:

The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) recently issued a new report showing 694 antisemitic incidents worldwide in August, a 15% increase when compared with the August 2024 figure of 600. The vision of the CAM, which partners with inter-faith organizations, influential decision makers and a network of more than five million activists, is to “forge an unbreakable shield that safeguards Jewish communities.”

The highest number of recorded antisemitic incidents was 162 in the US, with Greece, the UK and France following. Worldwide, there have been a total of 4,574 antisemitic incidents annually through August 31, 2025. CAM added that these figures reflect only those incidents reported to authorities, stating that the actual numbers are much higher. According to the CAM report, incidents of antisemitism include “vandalism and damage to Jewish institutions, violence or threats of violence such as physical assaults, bomb threats and explicit attempts to intimidate Jews and Jewish communities.”

As the High Holiday season began with Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish New Year) on the evening of September 22, many Israelis and their families are traveling outside the country. I24 News reported, “As the Gaza war continues and in parallel with the increasing threat of terrorism, the National Security Headquarters stated it has recognized a trend of worsening and increasing violent anti-Semitic incidents and escalating steps by anti-Israel groups, to the point of physically harming Israelis and Jews abroad.”

Dig Deeper:

Global Antisemitism Surged in August with the US Logging the Most Incidents

Security Warning to Israelis Vacationing Abroad

Israelis Are Running Out of Safe Places to Vacation

What You Need to Know:

The Sea of Galilee, known to Israelis as the Kinneret, is one of the precious symbols held dear by the nation. Over the last decades it has shrunk to devastatingly low levels. The winter of 2024–2025 was an exceptionally dry year, with the current water level at the lower red line, the point below which ecological damage begins to take place. The good news is that the National Water Carrier has completed a project known as the “Reverse Carrier,” which pumps desalinated water from the Mediterranean into the Kinneret. When winter rains are plentiful, desalinated water flow will stop.

Before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish Agency reported that over 50,000 Jews had immigrated to Israel since the Hamas-led massacre of October 7, 2023. In addition, more than 60,000 files have been opened for those showing interest in aliyah (immigration). And over 20,000 young adults from around the world have come to volunteer and support the country through the Masa (journey) Program.

Taking tangible steps to support and stand with the families of the Gaza Envelope (border communities), 25 families of Shin Bet (Israeli internal security organization) have decided to move south. They want to participate in the reconstruction of the area and put down roots.  

Dig Deeper:

Kinneret Replenished with Desalinated Water in World-First Project

Water Level of the Kinneret

More than 50,000 Jews Made Aliyah since October 7

25 Families of Shin Bet Personnel Moving to Gaza Periphery