According to an IDF release, an Israeli Navy missile boat in the Mediterranean Sea intercepted a UAV launched from Yemen (likely the Houthis) before it entered Israeli territory.

The Symbol of the Hostages was painted this morning in the Sky over Central Israel.

In an Unusual Statement last night Wiam Wahhab, the Founder of the Arab Reunification Party in Lebanon and known for his Close-Ties to Hezbollah, he stated “The Nation does not want War, and if you ask me, lets move towards Peace with Israel. I suggest to the Shiites that they Normalize and make Peace with Israel, and that we all live a Calm Life. The Axis of Resistance ended with the Assassination of Soleimani and Nasrallah.”

A Long-Range Ballistic Missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen, was Intercepted earlier outside of Israeli Airspace; with the Alerts in Central Israel due to concerns of falling Interception Fragments.

A Statement dated December 16th and attributed to Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been released, with this appearing to be his First Public Statement since fleeing the Country to Russia. In the Statement, Assad claims that he remained in Damascus until early on December 8th, with him moving to Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia after Rebel Forces entered the City. There it became clear that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had withdrawn from all Defensive Positions and that the War was Lost; with Russia ordering the Evacuation of the Base following several Drone Attacks by the Rebels, he was then transferred to Moscow the day after the Fall of Damascus. He states that during these Events he never considered stepping-down or seeking refugee, nor was such a proposal made by any Individual or Party.

The Syrian Transport Ministry has announced the reopening of Syrian Airspace to International Commercial Flights, with work at Damascus International Airport for its opening on Wednesday now 90% Complete.

President-Elect Donald J. Trump stated earlier during a Press Conference at Mar-a-Lago, “There is a Light shining over the World. We are trying to help very strongly in getting the Hostages back, as you know, with Israel and the Middle East.” With him reiterating that if Hamas does not release the Hostages by his Inauguration on January 20th “all Hell is going to break out.”

According to a release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), earlier today, 12 ISIS terrorists were killed in a number of precision strikes that targeted ISIS camps and individuals in Syria. Notably, the release mentions that the strikes were conducted in areas formerly controlled by regime and/or Russian forces where ISIS forces have since filled the void. The strikes were conducted as part of the Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) mission subordinate to the broader Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).

Both Israeli and Hamas Sources have stated over the last 24 Hours, that they are as close as they have ever been to a Ceasefire and Hostage Deal in the Gaza Strip; with several Issues still being discussed, all of which are considered “Bridgeable” by Israeli Officials.

According to AFP and CGTN Africa (Chinese state-run media), an Israeli minister has said that they have ‘never been closer to a deal’ on the 100 hostages still held by Hamas. Additionally, Kann News is now reporting that an Israeli delegation has now left for Qatar with a “limited mandate.” It’s important to remember that we have heard rhetoric like this before, and after the failure of the last round of talks, Qatar claimed that both parties were ‘not acting in good faith.’ It still remains to be seen how effective this newest round of talks will be at achieving the goal of freeing the hostages. 

Pentagon Press Secretary, Major General Patrick S. Ryder states that the Department of Defense does not believe the Drones spotted Friday over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, are related to other Drone Intrusions seen recently at Sensitive Sites across the Country.

Al-Arabiya reports that the remaining Russian Forces in Syria, located at the Naval Base in Tartus and Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia, are expected to depart in the coming days.

According to the U.S. State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller, the U.S. has had “more than one communication with HTS over the past week.” According to the spokesperson, these communications have been largely centered on two main issues: “Locating and returning Austin Tice to his family” and the principles of governance for Syria that the U.S. and other western powers have communicated in the past weeks. 
Austin Tice, a journalist who was believed to have been imprisoned by Bashar al-Assad’s regime back in August of 2012, has yet to be found as a result of the efforts of the U.S. and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The U.S. State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller has said that they are “not ruling out that we [U.S.] won’t send personnel to Damascus,” but as of right now “there’s no one there, and there’s no one on the way.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considering resigning, according to CTV News; with him said to be preparing to address Parliament.

Canada’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned after clashing with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over spending and U.S. tariffs, calling his fiscal policies a harmful political gimmick. Freeland’s exit, following a demotion offer, leaves Trudeau’s struggling Government in crisis as Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre demands an Election, citing chaos and weak leadership amid looming 25% U.S. import tariffs.

According to Reuters, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has said that they now “assess that North Korean troops have been killed and injured” in combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region. No further details were provided on the exact number of casualties sustained by North Korean elements deployed on the front lines. This comes after the recent release from Ukrainian intelligence that 30 North Korean forces were killed recently in the Kursk area of operations. While Ukrainian intelligence has made such claims, albeit unconfirmed and with little evidence, in the past, this is the first time that the Pentagon has confirmed that North Korean forces have sustained casualties.