★ISRAEL

1. Netanyahu Seeks Pardon During Long-Running Corruption Trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a presidential pardon in his five-year corruption trial, denying bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges. His lawyers argued that the ongoing proceedings hinder governance and deepen societal divisions. Opposition leaders called for resignation and admission of guilt, while U.S. President Trump urged consideration. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog will review the request, noting its “extraordinary” implications.

2. IDF Set to Receive Iron Beam Laser Interceptors This Month

Israel will deliver the Iron Beam laser defense system to the IDF on December 30, 2025, following the completion of development and testing. The high-energy interceptor, designed to complement existing air defenses, proved effective against drones during the Hezbollah conflict. At the same time, officials also announced breakthroughs in detecting and countering low-altitude drone threats.

3. IDF Hits Hamas Tunnels, Commanders Killed During Rafah Operations

The IDF released footage of Golani, Nahal, and Yahalom forces operating in eastern Rafah, destroying tunnels, bunkers, and other Hamas infrastructure. The army said it killed 40 terrorists in a week and eliminated multiple Hamas commanders, while another fighter crossed the Yellow Line and surrendered to Israeli troops.

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★IRAN

4. Iran Shuts Major Hydropower Dam During Deepening Nationwide Water Crisis

Iran halted electricity generation at the 400-MW Karkheh Dam after drought dropped its reservoir 40 meters below normal, forcing limited water releases. The shutdown reflects nationwide shortages as other dams decline and aquifers collapse, while rights groups say journalists in western Iran face pressure for reporting multi-day water outages.

5. Iran, Türkiye  Agree to Build New Silk Road Trade Rail Link

Iran and Türkiye agreed to construct a 200-kilometer Marand–Cheshmeh Soraya rail line toward Türkiye’s Aralik region, a $1.6 billion project expected to take three to four years. Iranian officials say the route will revive the Silk Road’s southern corridor as a seamless China-Europe rail link, enabling faster, cheaper cargo transport with minimal stops.

6. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Seize Foreign Fuel-Smuggling Ship

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a foreign ship near Bushehr carrying 350,000 liters of smuggled fuel with 13 crew members from neighboring countries and India. The move is part of regular anti-smuggling operations in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Previously, Iran also detained the tanker Talara transporting illegally exported petrochemicals before releasing it on November 19.

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★IRAQ

7. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Visits Iraq, Opens Erbil Consulate

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael R. Rigas arrived in Iraq for an official visit, meeting Iraqi officials and inaugurating the U.S. consulate in Erbil. His regional tour, running from November 27 to December 5, includes Turkey and Israel, where he will hold talks with Turkish and Israeli counterparts and meet Istanbul’s Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.

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★SYRIA

8. U.S. and Syrian Forces Destroy ISIS Weapons Caches in Southern Syria

The U.S. military reported that American and Syrian forces destroyed 15 ISIS weapons storage sites across Rif Damashq province between November 24–27. The operation eliminated over 130 mortars and rockets, assault rifles, machine guns, anti-tank mines, and materials for improvised explosives. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the strikes help ensure lasting gains against ISIS, which continues to regroup in the region.

9. Unprecedented Tensions in Sweida Following Arrests of Sheikh Mutni and Associates

Authorities in Sweida, southern Syria, arrested around ten people, including Sheikh Raed Mutni, accusing them of attempting a coup and forming a rival faction to Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hajri. The National Guard claimed to foil a security breach allegedly coordinated with the Syrian government. Leaked videos showing Mutni humiliated sparked widespread anger, raising fears of internal Druze conflict and potential violence.

10. ISIS Claims Attack on Oil Tanker Near Al-Azba Field

ISIS said its fighters fired on an oil tanker near the al-Azba field in northern Deir Ezzor, damaging it and causing a spill before withdrawing unharmed. The area has seen repeated tanker attacks in recent weeks during broader security operations targeting ISIS cells across Syria.

11. New Israeli Incursions in Syria During Over 1,000 Strikes Since Assad’s Fall

Syrian media said Israeli forces deployed three vehicles near Saida al-Hanout in southern Quneitra, accompanied by drone surveillance and tank movements, following earlier incursions and new checkpoints. Damascus, meanwhile, says Israel has launched more than 1,000 strikes since Assad’s fall, including the recent Beit Jinn raid that killed 13 people and sparked nationwide protests.

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★EGYPT

12. Cairo Launches Training Program for Future Gaza Police Force

Egypt has begun training Palestinian police officers for a future Gaza security force, aiming to prepare 5,000 personnel with funding from the Palestinian Authority. The initiative, part of broader Hamas-Fatah reconciliation efforts, provides advanced operational training, modern border-control equipment, and emphasizes loyalty to Palestine and the PLO. Officers will serve under a technocratic committee post-conflict.

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★TURKIYE

13. Ozgur Ozil Re-elected Republican People’s Party Leader Fourth Time

Ozgur Ozil was re-elected leader of Turkey’s main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), for the fourth time in two years during the 39th party congress in Ankara. Ozil, pledging to win the next parliamentary elections, received all 1,333 valid votes. He reaffirmed Ekrem Imamoglu as the party’s presidential candidate, criticized government pressure on CHP, and vowed to continue opposing Erdogan’s administration.

14. Greece Plans Missile Deployment on Aegean Islands During Türkiye Tensions

Greece said it will overhaul its defense doctrine by deploying mobile missile systems and expanding air-defense assets across Aegean islands under the “Achilles’ Shield” project, citing Türkiye as its primary threat. The announcement comes despite recent diplomatic calm, as both states advance major air-defense programs and bolster drone, missile, and naval capabilities.

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★YEMEN

15. Yemen: Top Al-Qaeda Leader Killed in U.S. Drone Strike

A senior Al-Qaeda commander, Munir Al-Ahdal, also known as Abu Al-Hija Al-Hadidi, was killed along with an associate in a U.S. drone strike in Marib’s Al-Husoun area, eastern Yemen. Al-Ahdal, involved in numerous terrorist operations across Yemen, was targeted while riding a motorcycle. U.S. drone strikes have repeatedly focused on Al-Qaeda leaders in Marib, Shabwa, and Abyan.

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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.