The situation in Israel and Gaza remains tense, with ongoing military actions even amidst a declared ceasefire that is, for the most part, holding firm. As of December 22, 2025, sporadic confrontations between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and militant groups in Gaza persist, along with lethal airstrikes carried out by the IDF.
Israeli forces have retreated to what they refer to as the "yellow line," which Israeli Defense Forces chief Eyal Zamir has characterized as a new boundary with Gaza. While this initial phase of the ceasefire appears to be holding, discussions about the second phase of the agreement are still pending. It is believed that the remains of one deceased hostage are still located in Gaza, which adds to the complexity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Israeli operations against suspected Hezbollah positions are continuing in southern and eastern Lebanon.
Key Developments
Dec 21, 2025, 7:52 AM EST
News updates are developing rapidly.
Dec 22, 2025, 4:05 AM EST
The IDF has announced that it conducted a strike in southern Lebanon resulting in the death of a member of Hezbollah on Sunday. In a statement shared on social media platform X, the IDF indicated that their operation targeted two alleged Hezbollah operatives in the Yater region, asserting that the individual killed was involved in efforts to restore Hezbollah’s military capabilities in that area. Hezbollah confirmed the death of one of its members from Yater shortly thereafter. Over the past week, the IDF claims that its 91st Division has eliminated four suspected militants in southern Lebanon.
Dec 21, 2025, 7:52 AM EST
In a significant move, Israel's cabinet sanctioned the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, as announced by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also leads the far-right Religious Zionist Party. According to Smotrich, Israel has created a record total of 69 new settlements over the past three years. He stated, "We are preventing the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state on our land. We will continue to develop, build, and settle in our ancestral homeland." Smotrich is known for his strong advocacy of Israeli settlements in both the West Bank and Gaza.
The current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has seen a significant increase in the pace of settlement expansions, as noted by United Nations reports. Ramiz Alakbarov, the U.N. deputy special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, remarked earlier this month that all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, lack legal standing and contravene international law and U.N. resolutions. Alakbarov further pointed out that the level of settlement activity in 2025 has reached unprecedented highs since U.N. tracking began in 2017.
Reported by ABC News' Dorit Long and Somayeh Malekian
Dec 20, 2025, 4:23 PM EST
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, confirmed that a meeting took place in Miami, Florida, involving U.S. officials and representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to discuss the Gaza peace plan. This meeting aimed to review the implementation of phase one of the plan and begin preparations for phase two. Witkoff noted on X that the first phase has made headway, including enhanced humanitarian support, the return of deceased hostages, partial troop withdrawals, and a decrease in violence.
In terms of the forthcoming phase two of the ceasefire plan, Witkoff stressed that the U.S. is focused on establishing a governing body in Gaza that operates under a unified authority to safeguard civilians and maintain public order. He also affirmed U.S. backing for the upcoming establishment of a transitional Board of Peace responsible for overseeing civilian, security, and reconstruction efforts. During discussions regarding the next steps, Witkoff emphasized the necessity of collaborating with local Gazan institutions and international partners.
"We reaffirm our complete dedication to the full scope of the President’s 20-point peace strategy and call upon all parties to fulfill their responsibilities, exercise restraint, and cooperate under monitoring protocols," Witkoff stated. He mentioned that more consultations are expected in the weeks ahead, with phase two of the plan likely to be announced in the upcoming year.
Dec 18, 2025, 6:09 AM EST
Tragically, the cold weather conditions in Gaza have resulted in a rise in mortality rates, with the death toll now reaching 13, according to health officials. Among the deceased is a one-month-old infant named Saeed Asaad Abdeen, who succumbed to extreme cold, as reported by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The total fatalities linked to a recent winter storm and the ensuing severe temperatures have been confirmed at 13 as of Thursday morning.
