THE FRONTLINE REPORT

It's Sunday, November 23rd. November 22, 2025 saw at least 99 confirmed deaths across four theaters. Gaza experienced its deadliest day since the October ceasefire with 24 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across multiple locations. Ukrainian forces reported 250 separate combat clashes with Russian forces in one of the most intense single days in recent weeks. Pakistani security forces killed 17 Taliban militants in Bannu District operations following an attack that killed 7 peace committee members. A Houthi court in Yemen sentenced 17 people to death for espionage. European leaders meeting at the G20 summit in Johannesburg responded to Trump's Ukraine peace plan, stating it would require additional work before implementation.

• Israeli drone strike in Rimal neighborhood, Gaza City killed 11 and wounded 20 including children
• Airstrike on Nuseirat refugee camp killed 7 and wounded 16
• Israeli strike in Deir el-Balah killed 3 including one woman
• Israeli forces struck vehicle in Gaza City killing five senior Hamas officials including Alaa Hadidi
• Israeli forces shot Palestinian gunman near Yellow Line demarcation in southern Gaza
• Israeli airstrike in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Lebanon killed one person
• Israeli strikes in Mayfadoun and Houla killed two Hezbollah militants including Kamel Reza Karnabsh
• Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian farmers in South Hebron Hills during olive harvest
• Israeli forces wounded two Palestinians in military raid in Dura town, West Bank
• Houthi court in Sanaa sentenced 17 people to death for espionage charges

Gaza Strip witnesses deadliest day since October ceasefire

Israeli forces killed 24 Palestinians and wounded 87 others across Gaza on November 22 in one of the deadliest days since the US-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10. The strikes targeted multiple areas including Gaza City, central Gaza, and near the disputed Yellow Line demarcation.

A kamikaze drone struck a vehicle on a busy street in northern Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood, killing 11 people and wounding 20, including children in critical condition. Al-Shifa Hospital managing director Rami Mhanna confirmed casualties were brought to his facility. In Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, an airstrike on a residential building killed 7 and wounded 16. Witness Anas al-Saloul stated he was sitting in his home when a missile hit his neighbor's house, causing injuries, deaths, and covering everyone in the street with debris.

Israeli forces struck a residential house in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, killing 3 people including at least one woman. Witness Khalil Abu Hatab reported a powerful explosion that destroyed the upper floor of his neighbor's house. In a separate targeted assassination, Israeli forces struck a vehicle in Gaza City carrying five senior Hamas officials including Alaa Hadidi, chief of supply in Hamas's weapons manufacturing headquarters. Israel claimed this was retaliation for a Hamas gunman attacking IDF troops and notified the US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism before the strike.

Near the Yellow Line demarcation in southern Gaza, Israeli forces shot and killed one Palestinian gunman who allegedly crossed the line and fired at soldiers. Israel labeled this a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, while Hamas denied the claims and called them fabricated pretexts. The Gaza Government Media Office condemned these as systematic violations of international humanitarian law. Since the October 10 ceasefire began, 497 violations have been documented, with total deaths now exceeding 340 Palestinians.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue despite year-old ceasefire

Israeli forces conducted three separate strikes in southern Lebanon on November 22, killing 3 people despite a ceasefire established nearly one year earlier on November 27, 2024. An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah killed one person, confirmed by Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israeli forces conducted two precision strikes in the Mayfadoun and Houla areas, killing two Hezbollah militants including Kamel Reza Karnabsh and a local representative responsible for financial and military coordination.

The IDF claimed both targets were involved in Hezbollah's reestablishment efforts and that their activities constituted a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. Israel has conducted near-daily strikes in Lebanon despite the year-old truce, claiming Hezbollah is attempting to rearm. Lebanon has filed complaints with the UN Security Council, noting more than 127 civilians have been killed since the ceasefire began.

West Bank sees continued settler violence and military operations

In the South Hebron Hills, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian farmers during olive harvest activities southeast of Masafer Yatta on November 22. Separately, Israeli forces wounded two Palestinians during a military raid in Dura town, south of Hebron. These incidents occurred amid a historic surge in settler violence, with the UN recording over 260 Israeli settler attacks in October 2025, the highest monthly total since recording began in 2006. Through November, 1,485 settler attacks had been documented in 2025.

Yemen Houthi court issues mass death sentences

Yemen's Houthi-controlled Specialized Criminal Court in Sanaa sentenced 17 people to death by firing squad in public on Saturday, November 22, for espionage charges. The defendants were accused of spying with foreign countries in a state of enmity with Yemen during the 2024-2025 period and allegedly collaborating with intelligence officers from Saudi Arabia, Britain, the United States, and Israel's Mossad.

Prosecutors claimed the defendants provided information about dozens of locations and movements of state leaders and missile information, leading to targeting of several military, security and civilian sites resulting in the death of dozens and widespread destruction of infrastructure. Two additional people received 10-year sentences, and one was acquitted from the 20 total defendants. Attorney Abdulbasit Ghazi confirmed the verdict can be appealed.

• Ukrainian forces reported 250 combat clashes across multiple directions on November 22
• Russian forces launched 32 air strikes, 75 guided bombs, 2,748 drones, and 3,243 shells
• Ukrainian General Staff reported 1,170 Russian casualties, bringing total to 1,164,340 since February 2022
• One Ukrainian civilian killed in Donetsk, 13 injured across Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk
• Russia claimed capture of seven settlements including Yampil, Stavky, and Novoselivka in Donetsk
• Kremlin claimed 5,000 Ukrainian troops trapped on eastern bank of Oskil River in Kharkiv
• Ukrainian drones struck Yany Kapu electric substation in northern Crimea overnight
• Ukrainian air defense intercepted 89 of 104 drones launched by Russian forces
• Two civilians killed in Belgorod Oblast including married couple in New Tavolzhanka
• EU leaders at G20 said Trump's Ukraine peace plan requires additional work
• Zelenskyy established 9-member delegation for Geneva talks scheduled November 23

Combat intensity reaches new highs with 250 separate clashes

November 22 marked Day 1,367 of Russia's invasion, with Ukrainian forces reporting 250 separate combat clashes across multiple directions in one of the most intense single days in recent weeks. Russian forces launched 1 rocket strike, 32 air strikes, dropped 75 guided bombs, deployed 2,748 kamikaze drones, and fired 3,243 shells on Ukrainian positions and settlements.

Ukrainian General Staff reported 1,170 Russian personnel killed or wounded on November 22 specifically, bringing Russia's cumulative losses to 1,164,340 personnel since February 2022. One Ukrainian civilian was killed in Donetsk Oblast, with 13 civilians injured across Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

Russian forces conducted 34 offensive operations targeting Pokrovsk, this critical logistics hub, with Ukrainian forces holding defensive lines in northern Pokrovsk. Elements of Russia's 76th Airborne Division were redeployed to this sector. In the Konstantinivsk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled 15 of 34 Russian attacks, with 2 combats ongoing as of evening reporting. Ukrainian data indicated 83 Russian troops killed, 24 UAVs destroyed, and artillery systems hit.

Territorial claims and encirclement allegations

Russia's Ministry of Defence announced the capture of seven settlements on November 22: Yampil, Stavky, Novoselivka, Maslyakivka, and Zvanovka in Donetsk; Radisne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; and Novoye Zaporozhye in Zaporizhzhia Region. These claims could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian sources did not confirm loss of all these settlements on this specific date.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed approximately 5,000 Ukrainian troops were trapped by Russian forces on the eastern bank of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region. Ukrainian military sources provided no immediate comment, and the claim remains unverified. Russian forces advanced in Zvanivka, attempting to close a tactical pocket, with footage confirming Russian presence in central and southern parts of Kupyansk city.

Aerial warfare and cross-border strikes

Russian forces launched 104 drones predominantly Iranian Shahed-type and 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile from Crimea targeting Ukrainian territory overnight into November 22. Ukrainian air defense intercepted 89 drones. Eight Russian airports were forced to suspend operations during Ukrainian nighttime drone attacks.

Ukrainian drones struck the Yany Kapu Krasnoperekopsk 220kV electric substation in northern Crimea overnight November 21-22. Geolocated footage confirmed the attack on this key high-voltage network node for power transmission across northern Crimea. Ukrainian military has not officially commented, but explosions and strikes were documented.

In Belgorod Oblast, a married couple was killed and their 4-year-old son wounded when Ukrainian forces struck their car in New Tavolzhanka. Separately, one man was wounded by an FPV drone strike in Glotovo, and one civilian was wounded in a drone attack on a car in Gruzskoe village. Total Belgorod casualties: 2 killed, 2 wounded. In Rostov Region, Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed across multiple districts, with minor infrastructure damage but no casualties.

Diplomatic developments at G20 summit

On the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, European leaders from 14 countries issued a statement on November 22 at 15:30 regarding US President Trump's 28-point Ukraine peace plan. The statement acknowledged continued US efforts to bring peace but emphasized the draft will require additional work and made clear borders must not be changed by force.

Leaders stressed that implementation of elements relating to the EU and NATO would need the consent of EU and NATO members respectively. Trump had given Ukraine until November 27 to approve the plan, threatening to cut military and intelligence support if rejected.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy issued a decree on November 22 establishing a 9-member delegation led by Andriy Yermak, Head of President's Office, for talks scheduled in Geneva on November 23, including Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov and Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.

• Stray round from Myanmar fighting landed in Thai village causing property damage, no casualties
• Round landed in Mahawan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, approximately 1 km from border
• Thai forces fired 120mm mortar warning round at Myanmar side at 11:05 AM
• 125 Myanmar nationals fled to Thailand seeking refuge from escalating violence
• HMAS Brisbane conducted routine South China Sea transit on November 22

Myanmar conflict spills across Thai border

At approximately 11:00 AM local time on November 22, a single heavy round, reported as either a 60mm mortar shell or unidentified explosive device, crossed into Thailand during intense fighting between Myanmar's military and anti-government forces. The round landed in a vegetable plot at House No. 41, Village 4, Mahawan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province, approximately 1 kilometer from the border opposite Myanmar's Myawaddy district.

Minor property damage was reported, with vehicles and houses damaged, but no fatalities or injuries occurred. At 11:05 AM, the Thai Rachamanu Task Force fired a single 120mm mortar warning round at an open area between the opposing groups on the Myanmar side, per Rules of Engagement, to enforce territorial sovereignty. Thai forces maintained 24-hour border presence.

The incident occurred amid over one month of sustained fighting as Myanmar's 22nd Light Infantry Division attempted to clear routes along the Myawaddy district border. Opposition forces positioned in forests near Nilapaan village have been using guerrilla tactics including sniper attacks. Prior to and during this incident, 125 Myanmar nationals had fled to the Thai side seeking refuge from the escalating violence.

Australian naval operations in South China Sea

HMAS Brisbane, a Royal Australian Navy Hobart Class destroyer, conducted a routine transit through the South China Sea on November 22 as part of a four-month Regional Presence Deployment. The operation, commanded by Commander David Mason, exercised freedom of navigation under UNCLOS but involved no incidents, confrontations, or hostile encounters.

• Pakistani forces killed 17 TTP militants including three commanders in Bannu District operations
• Operations launched following November 21 TTP attack that killed 7 peace committee members
• Joint KP Police, CTD, and military operations targeted hideouts in Sheri Khel and Pakka Pahar Khel
• Three TTP commanders eliminated: Niaz Ali, Abdullah, and one commander in Nasar Khail area
• Police defused IED with 8-10 kg explosives at Dawa Bridge preventing infrastructure attack

Pakistani counterterrorism surge eliminates 17 TTP militants

Pakistani security forces conducted intensive counterterrorism operations in Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on November 22, killing 17 Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants including three high-profile commanders. The operations were launched in direct response to a TTP attack late on November 21 that killed 7 members of a Peace Committee office.

Joint operations by KP Police, Counter-Terrorism Department, and military forces targeted TTP hideouts in Sheri Khel and Pakka Pahar Khel areas. The first operation killed 10 militants; a second 8-hour operation killed 7 more. IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed personally led the operations.

Three wanted TTP commanders were killed: Niaz Ali, alias Ukasha or Akasha, Abdullah, alias Shipunkoi or Shapunkoi, and one additional commander in the Nasar Khail area. Five militants were wounded, one facilitator was arrested, and substantial weapons and explosives were recovered. Seven bodies were retrieved, though three could not be recovered due to mountainous terrain. One security official sustained minor injuries.

Separately on November 22, Bannu police Bomb Disposal Squad discovered and defused an IED containing 8-10 kilograms of explosives hidden in a ghee tin attached to the central pillar of Dawa Bridge in the Basia Khel area. The timely action prevented what could have been a major attack on critical infrastructure.

These operations follow a November 21 intelligence-based operation that killed 8 TTP militants, bringing the total militant deaths in Bannu District over the 48-hour period to 25. The surge in counterterrorism activity comes amid deteriorating security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with over 600 terror incidents recorded in the province in the first eight months of 2025 alone.

• Aerodrome Finance and Velodrome Finance hit by DNS hijacking attack on November 22
• Threat actors redirected users to phishing sites draining NFTs, ETH, and USDC from wallets
• Over $1 million stolen while smart contracts remained secure
• Aerodrome redirected users to decentralized ENS mirrors after shutting down primary domain
• Platform's total value locked declined 4 percent to $399.17 million

Major DeFi platforms compromised in DNS hijacking attack

On November 22, Aerodrome Finance, the Base blockchain's largest decentralized exchange, and its sister protocol Velodrome Finance on Optimism were compromised through a DNS hijacking attack targeting their centralized domains. Unknown threat actors systematically compromised Box Domains' DNS infrastructure, redirecting users attempting to access legitimate sites to malicious phishing interfaces.

The two-stage deceptive interface requested wallet signature approvals, tricking users into signing transactions that drained NFTs, ETH, and USDC from their wallets. Over $1 million was stolen according to community reports, though the platforms' smart contracts remained secure with the attack limited to front-end infrastructure only.

Aerodrome shut down primary domain access immediately upon detection and redirected users to decentralized ENS mirrors at aero.drome.eth.limo and aero.drome.eth.link. The platform's total value locked declined approximately 4 percent to $399.17 million. Investigation remained ongoing as of end of day November 22.

The attack demonstrates continued vulnerability of centralized DNS infrastructure even within decentralized finance ecosystems, highlighting the risks posed by reliance on traditional internet infrastructure for blockchain applications.

No significant conflict developments, military operations, terrorist attacks, or security incidents were documented across Africa and Americas theaters on November 22, 2025. The absence of immediate events during this reporting period reflects normal variance in daily conflict cycles rather than resolution of underlying security challenges affecting these regions.