Israel News for 12-1-2025
News Update
Prime Minister Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Herzog. Netanyahu did not admit any guilt, but rather cited the “increasing burden” of his role in the trial proceedings, which preclude him from focusing fully on his duties as prime minister, as the main reason for his request. He also cites his lifelong public service to the state and his leadership in defeating Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran and in bringing home the hostages. He said the emerging understandings between the United States, Israel, Arab states and other countries “require significant preparation, intensive diplomatic and security efforts and constant attention” and that “there is a compelling public interest in allowing the prime minister to dedicate his full time and energy to these weighty responsibilities.” He added that a pardon was vital for “national unity and healing”.
President Herzog responded that he would carefully consider the request. It is assumed that there will be some form of negotiation between the president, prime minister, justice minister, attorney general and supreme court justices. To read more, click here.
IDF troops killed 4 Hamas terrorists who emerged from a tunnel in Rafah. Among the 4 were the commander of the East Rafah battalion, a coordinator of “hostage‑release ceremonies”, and the son of a senior Hamas political bureau member. Around 40 terrorists have been killed in the area in recent weeks, as they attempted to flee tunnels in Israeli controlled territory.
The head of the Directorate of Defense Research & Development, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Danny Gold, announced today that the directorate, together with Rafael and Elbit, will deliver the new laser weapon system Iron Beam (known in Hebrew as “Eitan Or” in memory of fallen soldier Eitan Oster) to the Air Force’s air‑defense branch by the end of the year. The laser system is expected to be a game changer on the battlefield.
