Yet amid the heated debate, one prominent voice has been conspicuously absent. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, long regarded as a leading figure and de facto spokesperson for the Somali American community, has remained silent. Her silence is striking, particularly given that she rarely misses an opportunity to criticize Israel and is usually outspoken on Somali-related issues.

One possible explanation lies in the delicate internal dynamics of the Somali community in the US, which forms the backbone of Omar's electoral base, as well as in her own controversial family history, tied to one of the darkest chapters in Somalia's past.

Omar's father, Col. Nur Omar Mohamed, was allegedly directly involved in the genocide against members of the Isaaq clan in northern Somalia. That same clan later went on, in the aftermath of the civil war, to establish the Republic of Somaliland. The genocide was carried out under the rule of Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, who led an authoritarian military regime and routinely executed his opponents.

The campaign of mass killings began after Somalia's defeat in the Ogaden War against Ethiopia, a loss that triggered a massive influx of refugees into northern Somalia. The sudden arrival of large numbers of refugees led to mounting friction with the local population, most of them Arab members of the Isaaq clan, who lived semi-nomadic lives in the region. The tensions eventually erupted into an Isaaq uprising against the Mogadishu regime, prompting Barre to order a brutal military crackdown.

The president's son-in-law, Gen. Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan, drafted a document approved by Barre that proposed a "final solution" to what he described as the Isaaq problem. The plan was swiftly implemented, launching a systematic campaign of executions by gunfire, starvation and aerial bombardment. More than 200,000 civilians were killed, and human rights organizations continue to uncover new mass graves in the sands of Somaliland.

Col. Nur Omar Mohamed was one of the commanders in the field during the genocide. His close ties to the president and to the ruling clan enabled him to evade accountability. At the time, the Somaliland Chronicle published an article stating: "At the heart of this brutal military regime stood Col. Nur Omar Mohamed, Ilhan Omar's father. His rank, authority, membership in the ruling Darod clan, and more than 10 years of advancement through the Somali military hierarchy to the rank of colonel placed him directly within the chain of command during, and at the height of, the Isaaq genocide. Based on his position, loyalty to the regime and role in the army, it is almost certain that he had extensive knowledge of, and involvement in, the planning, conception, management and execution of the genocide."

Many survivors of the genocide, along with members of other ethnic groups who suffered under Barre's bloody rule, now live in the US and form part of Omar's electorate. The prospect of reopening the deep wounds of the massacres of the late 1980s and early 1990s may be reason enough for the congresswoman to forgo another confrontation with Israel and opt, at least this time, for silence.

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"Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly," Trump wrote in his holiday message.

"We no longer have Open Borders, Men in Women's Sports, Transgender for Everyone, or Weak Law Enforcement," the president declared, adding that under his leadership, the situation had dramatically improved.

"What we do have is a Record Stock Market and 401K's, Lowest Crime numbers in decades, No Inflation, and yesterday, a 4.3 GDP, two points better than expected. Tariffs have given us Trillions of Dollars in Growth and Prosperity, and the strongest National Security we have ever had. We are respected again, perhaps like never before. God Bless America!" Trump concluded.

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Speaking to her close team during the gathering at the courtyard of Palazzo Chigi, Meloni warned that the coming year would be even more difficult and demanding than the one drawing to a close.

Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni:

2025 has been tough for all of us, but don't worry—next year will be much worse. pic.twitter.com/Ny02xku6Kt

— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 23, 2025

"I love you. We are a family. We fight all year long," Meloni told her staff.

"The past year was hard for all of us, but don't worry, because the next year will be even worse," she joked. "That's why I advise you to rest properly over these holidays, because we must continue to serve this extraordinary nation."

Meloni's government, which has been in power for three years, is grappling with a slowing economy, rising illegal immigration and concerns over the possibility of a broader war between European countries and Russia as an extension of the conflict in Ukraine.

Over the past year, Meloni has positioned herself as maintaining close ties with US President Donald Trump, while at the same time remaining committed to the European Union's independent line in dealing with Washington.

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Alaei made the remarks Saturday, stating, "If the country's intelligence service was properly focused on Israeli activity, it should have been updated on plans to assassinate Iranian commanders and scientists by aircraft."

According to the former IRGC Navy commander, the events of Operation Rising Lion demonstrated that Iran's government has not organized its intelligence apparatus "in a manner matching the intelligence and security efforts and operations of Israel."

He said he sees a need to "rebuild and deliberately focus" the Islamic Republic's intelligence organizations, adding that current institutions "do not respond to the type and level of threats" posed by Israel.

The former IRGC Navy commander continued his remarks by describing Mossad as "one of the world's strongest security and intelligence agencies." Allaei criticized the Islamic Republic's intelligence structure, saying, "In some cases, people who were known as Israeli targets all lived in the same tower, which allowed Israel to strike the building and be sanctified from the punishment of several people simultaneously."

He added that the two main institutions, the Ministry of Intelligence and IRGC Intelligence, are both involved in "internal security issues" and focus on Israel, while this model clearly has not borne fruit and has not shown the required effectiveness. Allaei proposed that one of these two institutions should focus entirely and exclusively on Israel. Earlier in October, he acknowledged the incompetence of the Islamic Republic's intelligence and security services against Israel.

These statements come against the backdrop of increased speculation in recent days regarding the future of the Islamic Republic's nuclear and missile programs and how the United States and Israel will respond to them.

This is not the first time that officials and figures identified with the Islamic Republic have recognized Israel's superiority in the 12-day war. On December 17, Masoud Pezeshkian, president of the Islamic Republic, announced that during the 12-day war, Israel had missile superiority.

He said in this context, "It is true that there were our missiles, but their missiles were more numerous, stronger, more accurate, and more convenient. It is the people who disappointed them."

On December 19, Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of parliament's National Security Committee, called the doctors' statements "unprofessional" and told them, "Weakening the country's defense capabilities is a mistake."

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Iran has endured a punishing year marked by drought, an energy crisis and soaring inflation. But if Iranians were hoping their president might offer solutions, Pezeshkian suggested they should not bother. In a string of remarkably candid public speeches in recent weeks, he said the country was facing insurmountable problems and that he had run out of ideas for how to solve them.

"If anyone can do something, please go ahead and do it," Pezeshkian told students and academics in early December. "I can't do anything. Don't curse me."

In meetings with officials, he admitted the government was "stuck, badly stuck," adding: "From the first day we came in, disasters have been coming down on us, and it hasn't stopped."

He went further, saying Iran's woes were the result of corruption, internal factional infighting and decades of government spending that he described as "what crazy people do," rather than the fault of the US or Israel.

Referring to the fighting during Operation With a Lion, Pezeshkian said that although Iran had launched missiles, Israel's arsenal had proven superior both in quantity and in capability.

"It's true that we had missiles, but theirs were more numerous, more powerful, more accurate and easier to deploy," he said. He added, without elaborating, that in the end it was "the people" who thwarted Israel.

At the same time, Pezeshkian rejected calls for Iran to scale back its missile program, describing it as essential to national defense. "They tell us not to have missiles, while they arm Israel to the teeth so it can come here whenever it wants, destroy everything and leave," he said. "I won't accept that."

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The FBI told Fox News that the suspects identified themselves as members of a radical branch of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, or TILF, an extremist group driven by pro-Palestinian, anti law enforcement and anti government ideology. "Turtle Island" is a term used by some Native Americans to describe the territory of the US and North America more broadly, a name that until recently was rarely used and has since been adopted by radical organizations.

According to the FBI, the suspects allegedly planned to carry out coordinated attacks on New Year's Eve using improvised explosive devices aimed at five separate locations across Los Angeles. The agency said the four were arrested in the Lucerne Valley area, where they were believed to be preparing to test explosive devices ahead of the planned attacks. Each of the suspects was charged with conspiracy and possession of an explosive device.

The FBI said on that a fifth individual allegedly linked to the same TILF extremist group was arrested in New Orleans on suspicion of planning a separate attack.

An Instagram account affiliated with TILF reported that its founding chapter is based in Los Angeles and that its goal is to "liberate Turtle Island," a term used by Indigenous activists to refer to North America, from what it calls the "illegal American empire." "Free Palestine. Free Hawaii. Free Puerto Rico," the account said.

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A family member of the hero who risked his life to snatch the weapon from one of the gunmen spoke and revealed he was shot twice. In a conversation with Australian news network 7NEWS outside the hospital, Mostafa revealed that his cousin, 43-year-old Ahmed Al-Ahmed, is the one who likely saved many lives when he fought with the shooter.

Ahmed was shot twice during the struggle and is scheduled to undergo surgery Saturday night. Mostafa said his cousin, a father of two who owns a fruit shop in Sutherland, had no experience with firearms but simply acted when he decided to intervene. "He is in the hospital, and we don't know exactly what is happening inside. We hope he will be okay. He is a hero 100%," Mostafa said.

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He insisted, "There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation, and let me be clear, we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity." Albanese promised, "Our security agencies will provide you with factual updates as quickly as possible." He termed the shooting "an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation."

"The evil that was unleashed today at Bondi Beach is beyond comprehension," he remarked, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. He concluded, "Every Australian tonight will be, like me, devastated. The trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone's worst nightmare." Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured."

Separately, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that improvised explosive devices were discovered in a vehicle on Campbell Parade, the street just next to the beach. "We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there," Lanyon told The Sydney Morning Herald. He added, "They will take the appropriate action." The car was "linked to the deceased offender," he noted.

Australian police sources revealed the identity of one of the terrorists who killed 11 people at a Hanukkah party at Bondi Beach in Sydney, the Australian news network ABC reported on Sunday.

According to the report, the shooter is Naveed Akram, an Australian citizen of Pakistani descent, 24, who resided in Sydney. The news network confirmed that his driver's license was exposed by social media users and that the details in the photo are authentic, and his home in the Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg was being raided by law-enforcement officials.

The network did not report the motive for which the young Muslim man carried out the massacre. Social media users found documentation of the man participating in religious classes at a local Islamic center in Sydney.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns updated the public, stating the attack was designed to target Sydney's Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. He expressed that the state's heart bleeds for the Jewish community, imagining the pain of seeing loved ones killed during the holiday. Minns described the investigation as massive and complex, acknowledging that while answers were scarce, the city had some crucial information.

Minns cited the support from ordinary Australians and the pressure faced by police – who he said did not falter – as key elements. He also noted the extraordinary acts of personal courage by individuals willing to risk their lives to help others.

Julian Leeser, federal MP for Berowra, released a statement. "Tonight's unfolding terror attack at Bondi Beach, occurring on the first night of Chanukah, is a horrifying tragedy," he said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. "For Australians, tonight has turned into one of grief and shock."

Leeser urged, "We must come together, check in on one another, support our Jewish friends and offer comfort where it is needed." He added, "My heart goes out to those who were in Bondi, spending time with their family and friends, only to be confronted with fear and violence."

"Our Jewish community, which is known for its courage and stoicism, is shaken tonight," Leeser observed. He continued, "I want to thank the NSW Police officers, paramedics, other first responders and members of the public who moved swiftly to protect lives and secure the area under extremely difficult circumstances." He finished, "Even in darkness, light endures. Tonight, the values at the heart of Chanukah matter more than ever."

The Sydney Morning Herald noted Leeser was the first Jewish person elected to the House from NSW for the Liberals. Commissioner Lanyon formally designated the event a terrorist act. "At 9.36pm, I declared this to be a terrorist incident," he said.

Lanyon confirmed special powers were active, stating "and we are currently investigating that at the moment – we will make sure that we prevent any further activity." He noted one shooter was dead and another hospitalized. The commissioner requested calm. "We have police right around the city at the moment," he said. "Our job is to respond to intelligence we get."

He added, "The police responded quickly. The police have responded in numbers. We have a significant investigation underway at the moment." Premier Minns confirmed the death toll. "As of now, there are at least 12 individuals that have been killed," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"One of the shooters has also been killed," Minns added. Lanyon clarified the 12 dead included the offender. Minns convened a crisis cabinet meeting to coordinate the response, delaying his media appearance.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence. "I am horrified and condemn today's heinous deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah," he said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. "My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hanukkah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness."

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Chaim Levy, a Sydney resident, was present at the scene and survived the massacre. He told Israel Hayom, "We were there in complete shock. I was with my wife and two children, and we fled for our lives. I saw the bullets flying in every direction. I sat behind a car for 20 minutes with my child, waiting for the shooting to stop. It was non-stop shooting, and many casualties. According to testimonies, there were only about four police officers there."

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