HEADLINES - **IDF Intensifies Operations in Rafah; Major Losses in Gaza** - **Knesset Revives Controversial Rabbinate Bill Amid Ongoing Conflict** - **Israel Allocates 50M Shekels for Firefighting Amid Hezbollah Rocket Attacks** The time is now 03:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. The latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas have seen significant military and political movements. In the southern city of Rafah, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been intensifying their operations against Hamas. Major General Yaron Finkelman, commander of the Southern Command, held a strategic assessment with division commanders, discussing the operational achievements and the evolving combat situation. Finkelman emphasized the importance of continuing the offensive to achieve decisive victories against Hamas's Rafah Brigade. He addressed the troops, acknowledging the recent losses of soldiers and commanders, and reiterated the imperative to advance, improve tactics, and dismantle enemy infrastructure. The IDF faced a tragic loss with the deaths of two soldiers in Gaza. Sergeant Shalom Menachem, serving in the Engineering Corps, was killed along with two comrades from his yeshiva when an armored personnel carrier was hit. Additionally, Staff Sergeant Tzur Avraham lost his life while searching for Hamas tunnels, which led to an explosion. These incidents underscore the perilous nature of the operations in Gaza and the ongoing sacrifices made by Israeli soldiers. In domestic news, the Knesset has revived a controversial bill aimed at expanding the influence of the Chief Rabbinate over local authorities. The bill, previously halted due to objections from political leaders Benny Gantz and Gideon Sa'ar, is set to be discussed again. If passed, it would significantly increase the number of government-funded rabbinical positions, potentially costing taxpayers tens of millions of shekels annually. The bill has faced criticism for reducing the role of women in the appointment process and for its timing amidst the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about prioritizing political agendas over national unity. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has approved a substantial investment in firefighting resources for the northern regions, which have been heavily affected by wildfires sparked by Hezbollah rocket attacks. The allocation of 50 million shekels will fund the purchase of approximately 200 fire trucks to bolster the capabilities of volunteer firefighting teams. This decision comes as nearly 15,000 acres of land in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights have been destroyed, impacting local communities and prompting evacuations. In international news, Turkish mobs have been filmed destroying effigies of US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Eid al-Adha celebrations. These acts of protest reflect the heightened tensions and widespread anger towards Israeli and American leadership in the region. The incidents, involving both adults and children, took place in various locations, including Istanbul, where crowds were seen stoning and kicking the effigies. Lastly, a Swedish diplomat, Johan Floderus, who had been imprisoned in Iran, was released following a prisoner swap. Floderus, accused of espionage and facing a death sentence, was exchanged for Hamid Noury, an Iranian official serving a life sentence in Sweden for his involvement in mass killings in 1988. The release of Floderus, who expressed immense relief and joy upon his return, highlights the complex and often perilous nature of international diplomacy and prisoner negotiations. These events paint a picture of ongoing conflict, political maneuvering, and international tensions that continue to shape the landscape in Israel and its surrounding regions. The sacrifices of soldiers, the...