Wednesday's briefing is dominated by security developments, with the IDF declaring itself ready for a further ground offensive in Gaza and naval commandos joining counter-terror efforts in the West Bank. Internationally, the UN has stepped up pressure on Israel over Gaza access, Houthi rebels stand accused of targeting Mecca for the first time, and a major US arms package for Israel moves closer to approval.

Security

Israel's Defence Minister said that 'everyone understands Hamas will not disarm' and confirmed the IDF is 'ready to complete the job' with a renewed ground offensive, amid a stalled ceasefire and hostage negotiation process. Talk has resurfaced of a Gaza 'migration plan', though no country has yet agreed to accept Palestinians. Meanwhile, Shayetet 13 naval commandos have begun operating in the Judea Brigade area of the West Bank against terror hotspots, with a security official describing the current period as 'highly sensitive' with significant escalation potential, as other special forces units join the counter-terror effort. Separately, the United States is reportedly preparing a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel, including roughly 40,000 2,000-pound bombs — comprising 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s. Rafael and Lockheed Martin are also accelerating integration of the SPICE 1000 precision-guidance kit onto Israeli F-35 jets, following its use alongside the SPICE 250 in long-range strikes against Iran and Yemen.

International

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said bodies have been found beneath rubble in areas of Gaza previously struck by Israeli forces, warning this could be 'just the tip of the iceberg' regarding potential war crimes, and criticised Israel's continued refusal to allow heavy equipment into Gaza for rubble clearance and to admit international investigators. In Britain, Labour MP Tahir Ali sparked controversy during a Commons debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by questioning whether 'the time has come' for military action against Israel and to call for it to be 'disarmed' in light of events in Gaza. Elsewhere, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been accused of targeting Mecca with a drone for the first time during the current escalation, a claim they deny; a Muslim umbrella body condemned the alleged attack as 'heinous' as fighting continues across the Arabian Peninsula. Separately, the daughter of a former Gaza hostage publicly confronted UN officials over continued funding for UNRWA despite allegations of ties to Hamas. In a wide-ranging interview, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee rejected accusations of Israeli apartheid and genocide in Gaza, pointing to roughly 700 aid trucks entering the strip daily, and stressed that US support for Israel is also rooted in America's own strategic interests.

Technology

Amazon Web Services says it remains unable to fully restore access to some of its Middle East data centres after facilities in Bahrain and the UAE were damaged during the recent war with Iran. The company says it is working to help affected customers shift operations to other regions while repairs continue.

Other Developments

In Bnei Brak, parents at two kindergartens serving refugee and migrant children have stopped sending their children following months of complaints about rodents, rats, sewage leaks and flooding. The municipality says child safety remains its top priority and that all complaints are being addressed.

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post