News Digest — 11/11/26
‘More Than A Defense Partner:’ Israel Strengthens Military Ties With Morocco
On Monday (9th), a delegation led by Israel Ministry of Defense Director General MG (Res.) Amir Baram visited Morocco on behalf of Defense Minister Israel Katz, meeting with senior Moroccan defense officials to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, Baram met with Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, and additional senior representatives of the Royal Palace and intelligence services.
Defense cooperation between Israel and Morocco has expanded significantly since the two countries renewed diplomatic relations in 2020 and signed a defense memorandum of understanding in November 2021. According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the relationship continued to develop throughout the past three years of war.
Israeli defense industries are highly regarded in Morocco, with most defense transactions conducted through government-to-government agreements managed by the Israeli Defense Ministry. Israeli companies are also helping Morocco establish an independent domestic defense industry through joint ventures and offset agreements.
The delegation includes representatives of the IDF, which has developed military ties with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR). Cooperation between the two militaries includes joint training in various fields.
As part of the visit, Baram will inaugurate the permanent offices of Israel’s Defense Attache in Rabat, headed by Col. Sharon Itach, Israel’s first permanent Defense Attache to Morocco.
The Defense Ministry said the visit is part of its broader strategy to strengthen security partnerships with friendly countries and expand Israeli defense exports. These efforts are intended to support the IDF’s force buildup, advance foreign policy objectives, and contribute to Israel’s defense industries and economy.
“Morocco is not just another defense partner. It is much more than that,”Baram stated.
“Over the years, we have built a strong relationship founded on trust, mutual respect, Jewish heritage, and deep historical ties between our peoples. We intend to continue advancing the relationship between our countries to new heights.”
Israel Advances Strategic Initiative To Fortify Eastern Region With Border Wall, Civilian Presence
Israel’s Defense Ministry is advancing a major strategic initiative along the country’s eastern border, particularly in the Jordan Valley, aimed at strengthening security while expanding civilian communities and infrastructure, Walla reported on Monday (9th).
The plan, coordinated by the Defense Ministry’s Eastern Region Directorate under BG (res.) Mordechai Benita, is based on lessons learned from the October 7 attacks and identifies local residents and communities as an integral part of Israel’s national defense strategy.
The initiative is being led by the defense minister and the ministry’s director-general through two main channels: MG Eran Ofir, who oversees construction of the physical border barrier and Benita, who is responsible for advancing civilian projects and coordinating government ministries.
The centerpiece of the security plan is a comprehensive new border barrier stretching approximately 500 kilometers along Israel’s border with Jordan, at an estimated cost of NIS 5.5 billion
The first several dozen kilometers have already been constructed by the Defense Ministry’s Seam Zone Directorate, headed by Ofir. The barrier is designed to prevent terrorist infiltrations and the smuggling of weapons and drugs.
According to estimates, additional funding could allow construction to proceed on more sections simultaneously, accelerating completion of the project.
The Defense Ministry is also advancing extensive engineering work, including clearing old minefields to expand the barrier and prepare land for infrastructure development.
At the same time, officials are examining the possibility of moving the barrier’s route eastward toward the Jordan River.
The proposed relocation, estimated to cost approximately NIS 2 billion, would allow for the expansion of Route 90 and the deployment of new agricultural land and infrastructure.
On the civilian side, the Defense Ministry is promoting approximately 40 settlement and civilian presence sites throughout the Eastern region.
These include pre-military preparatory academies, national service-year programs and youth leadership groups.
The plan also calls for establishing new communities, including the agricultural moshav Batron in the Jordan Valley, alongside restoring and expanding historic settlement sites.
The broader development strategy focuses on strengthening existing communities and expanding water, electricity and transportation infrastructure.
Alongside construction, the Defense Ministry is upgrading security arrangements in communities throughout the region.
The measures include equipping and training local emergency response squads, establishing emergency operations rooms and strengthening coordination with the newly established 96th Division which is responsible for the eastern sector.
Young people joining the new settlement sites will undergo military training to serve as initial response forces during emergencies.
Israel aims to double the eastern border population within 10 years.
According to Benita, the plan also includes developing new economic growth engines, including data centers serving the artificial intelligence industry and renewable energy facilities
Defense officials emphasize that strengthening the Jordan Valley border is a critical element in protecting Israel’s strategic depth.
The initiative also seeks to address the population imbalance along the eastern border.
While approximately 250,000 people live along the Jordanian side of the border, the Israeli side currently has just over 20,000 residents.
The Defense Ministry, working alongside local authority leaders, aims to double the population of Israel’s eastern border region over the next decade.
The plan also includes a significant upgrade to Route 90, the major corridor along Israel’s eastern border.
The transportation Ministry has already allocated NIS 35 million for planning the highway expansion to a major multilane road.
Together with the new security barrier, expanded communities and economic development projects, the highway upgrade forms part of the Defense Ministry’s broader effort to strengthen Israel’s eastern border through a combination of military infrastructure and civilian development.
Tensions Flare Between Hamas, Fatah Less Than a Month After Palestinian Unity Talks
Tensions have flared in recent weeks between Fatah and Hamas less than a month after the two factions met in Cairo for Palestinian unity talks, amid disagreements over the disruption of humanitarian efforts and the alleged detention of released prisoners, according to official statements.
On Monday (9th), Fatah rejected Hamas’ claims that the Palestinian Authority (PA) was failing Gaza, describing the organization’s earlier accusations that the PA was neglecting the territory’s humanitarian needs as part of a “disinformation campaign.”
In response to Hamas’ accusations, Fatah said it held the terrorist group “responsible for negligence and failure to intervene to save citizens and alleviate their suffering in the Gaza Strip.” It alleged that Hamas had summoned Palestinian Labor Ministry staff and aid workers in recent weeks and pressured them to sign pledges preventing them from carrying out their duties.
The reported disruptions to humanitarian work come as the region enters winter, with temperatures expected to fall to 11 degrees Celsius this weekend and potentially reach as low as 6 degrees Celsius later in the season. Five Palestinians have already died after an embankment collapsed on tents in Deir al-Balah following heavy rainfall, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Civil Defense Agency. Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF’s representative for the Palestinian territories, has also warned that tens of thousands of tents have been flooded by the rain.
“The movement calls for an end to the summoning and pressuring of employees, and for an end to obstructing the work of government and relief terms,” Fatah stated. “It urges that they be enabled to fulfill their duties without threats of interference, to protect citizens, preserve their dignity, and alleviate their suffering.”
Since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Fatah has repeatedly complained that the terrorist group has summoned its employees for questioning. In February, Fatah claimed that its members Ayman Halawa and Abdelaziz Al-Daour had been summoned by Hamas, condemning the move as divisive.
Prof. Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute, described the friction as “troubling” explaining that Hamas isn’t allowing PA representatives to continue cooperating with international aid organizations to help the people of Gaza to be better prepared for the winter, as an act of retaliation for the arrests of Hamas-affiliated individuals in the West Bank and out of fear that Fatah will be able to build a base for relief in the Gaza Strip.
Such a base, he said, would weaken Hamas and facilitate its “disarmament and decomposition.”
“Hamas has no regret or sorrow regarding its own people, and it is willing to sacrifice its people and to make their life more difficult towards the coming winter to serve its survival and political existence as well as preparation toward another starvation and humanitarian crisis campaign that the international media and community will eat with a great appetite,” Michael said. “This is another form or version of using civilians as human shields, and the world probably will continue blaming Israel.”
The anger over the reported interference in aid work also comes as Hamas and its officials have made several inflammatory accusations against Fatah and the PA. Late last month, Hamas accused the PA security forces of arresting released prisoners, activists, and civilians in a campaign across the West Bank.
According to the Palestinian Information Center, which documents the detention of terrorists by both Israel and the PA, PA security forces arrested the released Hamas terrorist Ahmed NoahHarish, Khaled Brahmeh, Muhammad Abu Farha, Muslim Yasar Ishtayeh, Fawzi Bishkar, and MuathArdaniya.
Describing the arrests as part of a ”revolving door” policy by the PA, Hamas claimed the treatment of prisoners “compounded the suffering” of Palestinians.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Says “Recognizing Palestine Unilaterally Is A Violation Of The Oslo Accords – Avi Ben Lolo
Last week I met with the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in Jerusalem. He appears to have little patience for the Palestinian cause, Referring to the “Free Palestine” supporters, he wonders, “who would support Hamas? The raping of women and the beheading of babies? That’s an evil sickness. Somebody that goes out and acts like that’s okay, I would have to say that’s a real sick person.
I asked Huckabee about Canada’s recognition of a Palestinian state. “Recognizing Palestine unilaterally is a violation of the Oslo Accords,” he said. “The Palestinians have postponed elections yet again. You would think there would be pressure from the EU and Canada, but instead they send them money. They don’t put pressure on them to end the ‘pay for slay’ program – money they send to terrorists.”
Huckabee said he regularly meets with the Palestinian Authority. “We’re very frank with them. We want to help, but we can not do it if they keep the textbooks that promote incitement and tell six-and seven-year-olds that their highest ambition in life is to kill a Jew. You must stop paying terrorists and building monuments to them when they murder a Jew… There is almost 80% support in the Palestinian Authority for what happened on Oct. 7.” (National Post-Canada)
PA Blocks Israeli Arabs From Buying Property – Lt.-Col. Maurice Hirsch
The purchase of several properties near Jericho by an Israeli Jewish organization has prompted the Palestinian Authority (PA) to suspend land-registration transactions involving Palestinians who hold Israeli citizenship or residency. The apparent assumption is that the properties acquired by Jews had previously been owned by Israeli Arabs.
The properties are located in Area C of Judea and Samaria, which is under full Israeli civil and security control. The decree also reflects a longstanding PA policy that treats the sale of land to Jews as a serious criminal offense. Under PA law, selling land to Jews is punishable by “life imprisonment with hard labor.” Palestinians accused of selling land to Jews have also been targeted for murder.
Jericho has long been a popular winter retreat and vacation destination for wealthy Palestinians. Its warm climate and proximity to Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley have made it an attractive location for second homes and residential investment. Israeli Arabs have recognized Jericho’s real estate potential and for years have purchased properties in the area.
The writer, former director of the Military Prosecution in Judea and Samaria, is director of the Palestinian Authority Accountability Initiative at the Jerusalem Center. (Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs)
(jcfa.org)
