Trump to Netanyahu: Situation will change after Jan 20 | Israel sells €56 million air defense system to Slovakia | Iranian proxies in Iraq stop attacks on Israel

13:07 - Israel sells Slovakia advanced air defense system worth €56 million

Israel and Slovakia have finalized their largest-ever defense export agreement, with Israel providing the BARAK MX Integrated Air Defense System valued at approximately €56 million (about $58 million), according to the Prime Minister's Office.

"This landmark deal, orchestrated by the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of the IMOD (SIBAT), will further strengthen the bond between the two nations and enhance Slovakia's defense capabilities."

"The BARAK MX Integrated Air Defense System is designed to counter current and future aerial threats, including ballistic missiles. Its operational success in Israel and globally underscores its reliability and effectiveness, making it a valuable addition to Slovakia's defense infrastructure," according to the GPO statement.

"The system is known for its flexible capability to counter threats from various sources, including fighter jets, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. With three interceptors for operational ranges of 35, 70, and 150 km, each equipped with an active radar seeker, dual-pulse engine, and powerful warhead, the system delivers unparalleled interception performance against a wide range of threats."

12:11 - Arab media report alleged Israeli strike in Damascus

The Sabreen news agency, which is affiliated with Iranian proxy militias in Iraq, reported an Israeli strike in Damascus earlier today.

"Zionist aggression targets the vicinity of the Syrian capital, Damascus, with several strikes," the site reported.

The report could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

11:35 - Israel won't withdraw from 'most of Philadelphi Corridor' as part of hostage deal, Israeli official says

An Israeli official "involved in the details" of negotiations between Israel and Hamas told several Israeli media outlets that reports in the Arab media are not true.

"Israel has not agreed and will not agree to withdraw from 'the majority of the Philadelphia axis,' as its presence there prevents Hamas from strengthening and re-arming," the official said.

10:03 - 39 injured in fire that erupted in Jerusalem school dormitory

Thirty-nine people were injured in a fire that erupted in the dormitory of a Jewish religious school in Jerusalem, according to the Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue services.

Three of them were in serious condition, and two more in moderate condition, MDA added. The others were lightly injured.

Fire and Rescue services said it sent 12 firefighting teams to the scene and rescued 32 students who were trapped in the dormitory by the fire.

08:15 - Iranian proxies in Iraq agree to stop attacks on Israel 

According to the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, leaders of several Iraq-based Iranian proxy groups have agreed to refrain from attacking Israel as part of a dialogue aimed at reducing factionalism in Iraq. 

“The agreement states that the resistance will cease military operations against the Israeli enemy as part of their support for the Gaza Strip, and remain silent about the political changes taking place in Syria,” al-Akhbar reported. 

A leader in the Iraqi "Al-Nujaba Movement” told al-Akhbar, "The factions decided not to intervene in Syrian affairs and will monitor the situation from afar, as well as wait to see the direction of the newly elected U.S. President, Donald Trump, and his policies toward the Middle East, specifically Iran.” 

05:00 - Oxfam claims only 12 aid trucks entered northern Gaza in past 2 1/2 months 

British charity Oxfam claimed that only 12 humanitarian aid trucks have distributed food and water in the northern Gaza Strip in the past two and a half months. "Of the 34 trucks carrying food and water that were allowed to enter the northern Gaza Strip during the same period, along with deliberate delays and a systematic IDF blockade, only 12 were able to provide aid to starving Palestinian civilians," the organization claimed. 

The Office of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) denied the reports, saying that 2,100 humanitarian aid trucks entered the northern Gaza Strip since the beginning of October.

Oxfam did not clarify the discrepancy between their figures and those of COGAT.

Thousands of Food Packages, Including Flour, and Water Delivered to the Beit Hanoun Area and Over 2,100 Trucks Entered Northern Gaza Since October; Humanitarian Efforts Continue in Coordination with COGAT.

In accordance with the directive of the political echelon and within the… pic.twitter.com/NtNJV2mRvT

— COGAT (@cogatonline) December 21, 2024

01:11 - Trump tells Netanyahu situation will change after he takes office 

Israeli news site N12 reported that President-elect Donald Trump sent messages to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling him that the delay in arms deliveries to Israel will stop after he takes office.

Trump also reportedly told Netanyahu he would not insist on the same levels of humanitarian aid to Gaza as the Biden administration did. 

00:52 - Trump’s national security adviser says ‘all hell to pay’ for taking US hostages 

Incoming President Donald Trump’s pick for national security advisor, Mike Waltz, sent a warning to nations and groups holding U.S. hostages. 

“You take an American, you illegally detain them, if you're a nation-state or if you're a terrorist, (if) you hold them hostage there is going to be all hell to pay! There are going to be nothing but consequences for you financially and maybe even a bullet in your damn forehead if you take an American, period!” 

WATCH: @realDonaldTrump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz warns the world:

“You take an American, you illegally detain them, if you're a nation state or if you're a terrorist, you hold them hostage there is going to be all hell to pay! There are going to be nothing… pic.twitter.com/PAMKFnLKbO

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) December 22, 2024