Israeli officials are concerned that the recent Syrian rebel advances, including the capture of military sites belonging to the Assad regime, could lead to chemical weapons falling into dangerous hands, Haaretz reported. The primary fear is that either Syrian rebels or Iran-backed militias could gain access to advanced weaponry, such as missiles or chemical agents, which would pose a significant threat to Israel. Should such a scenario occur, Israel may be compelled to take actions that could have far-reaching consequences for Syria and the wider Middle East, the report warns. Israel has reportedly sent messages to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad through Russian intermediaries, urging him to maintain control over his territory and prevent Iranian forces from operating within Syria.

In a major blow to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and the State Prosecutor’s Office, Tel Aviv District Court Judge Ala Masarwa said on Tuesday that there is “evidential weakness” regarding the claim attributed to Eli Feldstein in the indictment against him – that he intended to harm state security. Masarwa presided over a hearing on Tuesday afternoon regarding the State Prosecutor’s Office’s request to extend the detention for Feldstein and the other defendant in the case of the classified document leak from the Prime Minister’s Office. Masarwa said that there is strong evidence regarding the offenses of transferring classified information and disseminating it via media outlets but the evidence is weak that Feldstein is guilty of intending to harm state security.

Hamas and Fatah have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint committee to administer postwar Gaza, negotiators from both sides announced Tuesday. The proposed plan, which requires the approval of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, envisions a nonpartisan committee to oversee key sectors such as economy, education, health, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. According to a draft of the agreement reviewed by AFP, the committee would comprise 10-15 neutral members and manage the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the only Gaza crossing not shared with Israel. This development follows Egyptian-mediated talks in Cairo aimed at resolving Gaza’s governance after the ongoing war.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked Hezbollah terrorists, dozens of rocket launchers, and Hezbollah sites across Lebanon on Monday evening in response to Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon earlier on Monday. Most of the strikes were carried out against sites in southern Lebanon. Additionally, fighter jets struck the launcher used to launch the two mortars at Har Dov shortly after they were fired. Israeli sources said on Tuesday morning that the IDF had also planned to strike the Beirut area in response to the mortars but were heavily pressured by the Biden administration to refrain from doing so in order not to escalate the tense situation.

The United States and the United Arab Emirates have been exploring the possibility of lifting sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in exchange for a significant shift in his alliances, according to five sources familiar with the discussions. Reuters reports that the proposed deal hinges on Assad severing ties with Iran and halting the flow of weapons to Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The dialogue between Washington and Abu Dhabi has gained momentum in recent months, fueled by the looming expiration of extensive U.S. sanctions on Syria on December 20. This initiative is also intertwined with Israel’s escalating efforts to counteract Tehran’s regional influence, including its backing of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Iranian military assets in Syria.

In a cautionary tale for online shoppers, a YWN reader recently fell victim to an elaborate scam involving fake Facebook accounts impersonating well-known jewelers, highlighting the growing risk of fraud in the digital marketplace. The victim, seeking a good deal, encountered what appeared to be legitimate social media pages for two high-profile jewelers known for their business on Manhattan’s 47th Street: Moses the Jeweler and Vookum. These jewelers are famous for selling high-end watches, and their Instagram and Facebook accounts are widely followed. However, scammers had copied their Instagram and Facebook content to create fraudulent Facebook profiles, tricking unsuspecting buyers into believing the accounts were authentic.

President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum on Monday regarding hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In a social media post, Trump demanded the immediate release of these hostages, warning that failure to do so before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, would result in severe consequences. “Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk, and no action!” Trump wrote.

The Shin Bet and the Courts Administration on Monday recommended that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his trial next week be moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. Netanyahu was scheduled to take the stand next week in his corruption trial at a courthouse in Jerusalem but “following highly classified information” about security issues, the case will likely be moved to a fortified underground room at the Tel Aviv District Court.

Hezbollah fired two rockets at the Mount Dov area on Monday afternoon for the first time since the ceasefire came into effect last week. The fire was likely directed at IDF positions on Mount Dov. There were no casualties. The projectiles landed in open areas. The IDF confirmed that “the terrorist organization Hezbollah carried out two launches a short time ago towards the Mount Dov area which landed in open areas. There are no casualties.” Meanwhile, as Hezbollah repeatedly violates the ceasefire, the Biden administration and France have accused Israel of violating the truce.

The Biden administration warned Israel it is violating the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, Ynet reported on Monday, a day after France issued the same message to Israel. According to the report, the message was conveyed to Israel by US envoy to the Middle East Amos Hochstein Hochstein delivered a message from the White House saying that “the visible and audible return of Israeli drones to the skies over Beirut constitutes a violation of the terms.” He also said that “both Israel and Lebanon need to show restraint.” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar spoke to his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot on Monday morning and explained that Israel was not violating the cease-fire agreement in Lebanon but enforcing it due to Hezbollah’s violations.