• Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 22:06
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESRan Gvili Returned Gaza Plan AdvancesIran sanctions push as military option debatedItaly protests after West Bank security encounterThe time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 5:00 PM hourly news update.In the Gaza theater, phase two of the Trump Gaza plan is taking shape as the last hostage, Ran Gvili, has been returned, removing a central hurdle to the plan’s next steps. The phase centers on disarming Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and establishing a civilian administration, with the aim of beginning physical reconstruction. Washington and Jerusalem are publicly aligned on the need for Hamas to surrender weapons, expose tunnels, and cede power, but disagreements persist over how to implement disarmament through diplomacy alone. A major element of the plan is the opening of the Rafah crossing for civilian passage, expected to reopen within days under a complex monitoring and governance framework involving European observers and Palestinian officials approved by Israel. A new technical governance structure for Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip, is described as a nonpartisan body intended to oversee daily life and civilian institutions, though observers note many members have ties to the Palestinian Authority. Israel maintains that any reconstruction and civilian administration hinges on Hamas’s disarmament, while discussions continue about an international stabilization force and the long-term security perimeter after any potential redeployment of Israeli forces.In Israel, the return of Ran Gvili’s remains marks the end of a 15-year quest to recover a hostage believed killed in Gaza. His family greeted the news with emotion and gratitude, and national ceremonies paid tribute to his service and sacrifice. The moment drew a national reflection on the costs of war and the resolve of families waiting for news of missing loved ones. Officials alongside the family underscored the commitment to bring home every hostage and remain vigilant about security and safety in the region.Turning to Iran and the wider Middle East, new leaks from Iranian regime officials have surfaced, alleging foreign influence while portraying the crackdown as a domestic matter. The regime’s messaging has been described by observers as an information operation aimed at masking violence and blaming unrest on external actors. In parallel, European and American voices continue to discuss how to respond to Iran’s behavior. A European Parliament resolution has called for stronger pressure on Tehran, including moving to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and increasing sanctions, with some lawmakers arguing that only intensified measures can yield change. The discussions come as international actors weigh a potential mix of sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and limited strategic actions aimed at constraining Iran’s regional influence and its nuclear program.In Washington and Brussels, debate continues over whether a military option could be employed to alter Iran’s leadership. Some European voices have signaled that military action could be a final step, while others urge continued diplomacy and sanctions as the primary tools. Within the Atlantic alliance, experts note that any move would have to balance regional risk, alliance cohesion, and the potential for unintended consequences across the Middle East.On the domestic front, prominent figures and groups have weighed in on domestic and global issues with ties to Israel and Jewish communities. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz invoked Anne Frank in urging the federal government to reassess Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, drawing criticism and scrutiny over the appropriateness of such comparisons. At the same time, Jewish organizations in the United States condemned the shooting death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, calling for a measured, fact-based review and caution against inflaming tensions, while underscoring that safety and due process must guide policy decisions. Across the community, voices from the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs urged restraint and urged authorities to prevent further violence and to protect civil rights while addressing security concerns.Internationally, a tense incident in the West Bank prompted a formal protest from Italy after two Italian policemen accompanying a diplomatic mission were confronted in the field. Italian authorities summoned Israel’s ambassador to express concern over what they described as a coercive encounter, while Israel said it would review the incident in the context of ongoing security operations in the area. The event underscores how local security dynamics interact with broader diplomatic relationships in a volatile region.In other developments, a prominent historical analysis reflects on ties between Israeli intelligence and Iran prior to the 1979 ...
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    7 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 21:09
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESRemains of Ran Gvili Returned; Saga EndsIran policy showdown: sanctions and strikes debatedRafah aid hinges on ceasefire pledgesThe time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Today’s hourly briefing begins with a moment of closure in a long, painful chapter. After 843 days, the remains of Police Master Sergeant Ran Gvili were returned to Israel, marking the end of the last hostage saga from the Gaza war that began in October 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the return an extraordinary achievement for Israel, while President Joe Biden and other US officials welcomed the development as a pivotal step in the Gaza ceasefire framework. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the mission is complete in the sense that every hostage has been accounted for, and he signaled that the next phase will focus on disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza. President Herzog, addressing the nation, mourned with the Gvili family and thanked security forces for their efforts, while removing the public reminders of the hostages’ ordeal as a symbolic gesture of closure. Across the political spectrum, leaders pledged to support families of the fallen and to pursue a durable security arrangement for Israel’s citizens.In Washington, reaction stressed that the Gaza ceasefire framework remains in effect as the focus shifts to the next phase. Former President Trump praised the coordination among the United States, Israel, Egypt, and other partners in achieving the ceasefire and the return of hostages, while Jared Kushner highlighted what he described as improved cooperation that helped locate and recover the remains. The White House signaled that the next stage will center on disarmament and the broader Gaza stabilization plan, with officials noting that the US continues to support efforts to reopen humanitarian corridors and facilitate aid to Gaza under agreed terms. Hamas and its allies stressed their commitment to the ceasefire obligations, even as their rhetoric emphasized the need for ongoing guarantees of prisoner exchanges and the protection of civilians.In Israel, the day’s events were met with a broad spectrum of political voices. Security minister Itamar Ben Gvir lauded the security forces as the firewall that protected the state on a dangerous day, while opposition members welcomed the return but called for accountability for the broader failures surrounding the October 7 assault. Opposition leader Yair Lapid removed his own hostage ribbon in a symbolic gesture of release, while signaling readiness to pursue parliamentary inquiries to illuminate what went wrong and how future failures may be prevented. The implications of the rescue and return are already shaping discussions about Israel’s security posture, hostage policy, and the path to a broader disarmament and reconstruction process in Gaza.Beyond Gaza, the war’s toll and the region’s security dynamics continue to draw international attention. In Europe, a debate over how to influence Iran’s leadership is intensifying. A European Parliament resolution calling on the designations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and heightened sanctions has prompted comments from lawmakers who argue that only broad, coordinated pressure will push Iran toward change. One member of the European Parliament described military intervention as a possible final step, a view tied to broader arguments about destabilizing Tehran’s influence and reducing its capacity to support regional proxies. The discussion reflects a wider view in some capitals that a combination of sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and, if necessary, limited military actions could alter the strategic balance in the Middle East. In parallel, a senior European negotiator acknowledged that public demonstrations in Iran have waxed and waned, but civilians repeatedly express a willingness to endure hardship to see change, including calls for stronger sanctions and reduced support for the regime’s security apparatus.In Washington’s analysis of Iran policy, ongoing discussions consider all options short of a broad footprint on the ground. Reports describe consideration of targeted strikes against security commanders and facilities tied to the killings of protesters, with a possible naval option that would curb Tehran’s oil exports as a lever to pressure leadership without deploying large-scale ground forces. Analysts note that any such move would need careful coordination with regional partners and a clear plan to minimize civilian harm, while seeking to avoid a broad escalation that could draw in other regional actors. The broader question remains: what mix of sanctions, diplomacy, and potential coercive measures would most credibly threaten the regime’s stability while preserving regional and global interests?Iran’s internal crisis and external outreach continue to shape the regional security calculus. Leaks and commentary ...
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    10 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 20:09
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESHistoric Mossad Iran ties reshape future securityUN Iran crackdown on protests shocks worldTrump backs Hamas disarmament for Phase IIThe time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This hour in the Middle East, the regional landscape is shifting in ways that blend historical intelligence contacts, domestic unrest, and emerging alignments that could shape security calculations for months to come. Across Tehran, Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Beirut, and beyond, governments and intelligence communities are weighing risks, opportunities, and red lines as the region’s power dynamics recalibrate under a broader reset in Washington’s approach and regional actors’ recalibrated strategies.Historically, the Mossad’s ties to Iran before the 1979 revolution were extensive in practice even as the two states never formalized diplomatic recognition. Reports describe a relationship that included high‑level access within SAVAK after the shah’s departure, and a dynamic in which joint operations, training, and intelligence sharing occurred against a backdrop of shifting regional threats. A notable anecdote involves a request from Iran’s interim prime minister in 1979 to consider the assassination of Ayatollah Khomeini at his exile residence—a bid that, according to historical disclosures, did not come to fruition. The point for current readers is not the specifics of that moment, but the demonstrated depth of nontraditional cooperation that existed between Iranian and Israeli security officials in a time when both sides faced shared regional risks, even as the United States remained the leading partner. Some accounts emphasize that Iran and Israel worked regionally on common Sunni Arab challengers and on technology and training, including in the early development of Iran’s security apparatus, and that Tehran offered Israel a particular strategic space in a perilous neighborhood. The question now is how such a historical footprint would influence any future Israeli posture should Iran undergo political change that reduces confrontation or alters strategic calculus. Observers note that even in a post‑revolution scenario, the absence of hostility could lessen the urgency of covert activity, while access to Iranian terrain could open new intelligence avenues for Israel, with implications for neighboring Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan. At the same time, any return to a markedly adversarial stance by Iran would likely keep Mossad and allied agencies in a high‑alert posture in a region where the borders are porous and the threats remain diffuse. In recent public remarks, Israel’s security establishment has signaled ongoing involvement in regional dynamics, underscoring a continued focus on Iran as a central variable in regional stability.In a separate assessment window, a United Nations special rapporteur on Iran described a crackdown on protests that has drawn sharp international concern. Reports from Mai Sato indicate that security forces have removed wounded protesters from hospitals and detained individuals, actions framed as violations of medical neutrality under international law. Families report ransom demands for bodies, and hospitals across multiple provinces described security‑state interference alongside restrictions that deter the sick and injured from seeking care. While tolls remain disputed publicly, rights organizations have cited figures that far exceed official counts. The situation reinforces a broader pattern of domestic unrest that has persisted since December and intensified in the wake of economic stress and political repression. The international community has pressed for accountability and unhindered access to medical care, as the protests persist despite internet shutdowns that complicate independent verification.Meanwhile in Gaza, the political clock continues to tick toward the next phase of a broader ceasefire framework. In an interview with a United States journalist, President Trump indicated that Hamas must disarm as part of Phase II, while praising the group for efforts to recover remains of a missing Israeli soldier. The remarks reflect a persistent US insistence on disarmament as a prerequisite for broader stability, even as humanitarian concerns and the risk of renewed violence keep the situation highly volatile. The hostage issue remains a central emotional and strategic hinge, and regional actors watch closely as negotiators seek a path that could reconcile security demands with political realities on the ground.On the diplomatic front, Saudi Arabia’s conduct in the region continues to illustrate a multi‑vector strategy. The kingdom has broadened engagement with Russia, Iran, China, and Turkey, signaling a shift away from dependence on a single power center while still navigating shared concerns about Iran’s posture and regional influence. For allies and rivals alike, the question is whether this ...
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    10 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 19:07
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESLast Gaza hostage recovered, no hostages leftCarrier strike group deployed to Middle EastIran crackdown on protests draws UN condemnationThe time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 2:00 PM update. The last Israeli hostage held in Gaza has been recovered and returned to Israel, bringing to a close a chapter that stretched for more than two years. Ran Gvili, a 24 year old police officer who fought Hamas fighters in October 2023, was identified and brought home after a focused operation in a Gaza cemetery. With his return, Israel says there are no living or deceased hostages left in Gaza for the first time since the 2014 crisis, and the ceasefire’s living components have moved into a new phase. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the moment as a significant milestone, while reiterating that the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire will center on disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Strip. Israel will continue to supervise the crossing points and security arrangements that govern movement into and out of Gaza, including a remote surveillance posture at Rafah that remains a focal point of subsequent plans, even as the crossing reopens in a limited fashion for pedestrians.Beyond Gaza, the broader security picture in the region is evolving. The Israeli military has conducted strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon as part of ongoing operations against infrastructure associated with the group. In parallel, Hezbollah’s leadership has warned it will not stand idly by in the event of an attack on Iran, signaling the risk of regional escalation should tensions flare around Tehran’s security posture or its allies. In addition, the Israeli Defense Forces and allied security services have emphasized that Iran remains a central factor in regional diplomacy and deterrence calculations, with statements reiterating vigilance against any Iranian action.In a separate development tied to regional tensions, a major diplomatic dispute between Italy and Israel arose after Italian Carabinieri on diplomatic duty were confronted in a West Bank village, forced to kneel at gunpoint, and subjected to questioning. The incident prompted formal protests from Rome, highlighting the sensitivity of foreign personnel operating in contested areas and the fragility of security protocols in such environments.Turning to the Iranian domestic front, a United Nations expert has reported that security forces in Iran have removed wounded protesters from hospitals during the crackdown following nationwide demonstrations. The expert described this as a grave breach of medical neutrality and international law, noting that families have faced demands for large ransoms to recover bodies of loved ones. The reports describe hospital raids and room-to-room searches as part of a broad crackdown that has drawn international condemnation and raised questions about the accuracy of official casualty tallies. The crackdown has coincided with internet blocks and widespread suppression of dissent, reflecting a broader pattern that international observers say impedes the ability to verify the true scope of the unrest.On the diplomatic and political front, the United States has expanded its posture in the region with a carrier strike group now positioned in the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying destroyers have entered the area to demonstrate the capacity to defend American forces and to deter further escalation. This move comes as President Donald Trump has spoken of an “armada” heading toward Iran and as Iranian leaders have warned of all‑out war in response to perceived threats. The United Arab Emirates has stated it will not permit any hostile actions to transit its airspace or territory, illustrating the wider regional calculus at play as Washington and its allies balance deterrence, diplomacy, and the prospect of further military options.Meanwhile, a long-running and strategically significant thread concerns Iran’s past and potential future relationship with Israel through intelligence channels. A historic analysis recalls how Mossad operated inside Iran prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, including close interactions with SAVAK and partnerships that spanned training, intelligence sharing, and cooperation against common regional adversaries. The piece speculates on what a post‑Ayatollah regime in Iran might mean for Mossad’s role: in a plausible scenario with reduced nuclear weapons threats and diminished hostility, cohabitation with the CIA and other partners could continue with less friction; in a more open scenario, renewed access to Iranian terrain could reshape regional intelligence dynamics and pathways to understanding allied groups across Iraq, Turkey, and beyond. The retrospective emphasizes that any change in Iran’s leadership would not instantly erase historical patterns of engagement, and it leaves open a ...
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    8 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 18:07
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESHezbollah vows to strike if Iran attackedRan Gvili remains returned as ceasefire shiftsUSS Abraham Lincoln arrives to deter IranThe time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 1:00 PM update on the Middle East. The region remains vigilant as a web of tensions, confrontations, and negotiations continues to shift public expectations and strategic calculations in real time. Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem warns that Hezbollah will not remain passive if Iran comes under attack. He says the movement would respond to any strike on Iran and warns that a war against Tehran could ignite the wider region. Israeli officials say they are carrying out strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure and senior operatives in southern Lebanon in what they describe as part of ongoing pressure against the group. Among those reported targeted were a base used by Hezbollah’s Radwan Force and individuals linked to its artillery capabilities. Israel’s actions come as Hezbollah, aligned with Iran, signals a readiness to respond should the broader regional dynamic deteriorate further. In Gaza and Israel, a turning point has arrived in another form. After a long stand-off, the state of Israel confirms that the remains of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, have been identified and returned home. The return closes a chapter that began on October 7, 2023, and many in Israel see it as a fulfillment of a moral and national pledge to bring home all hostages, living or deceased. Prime Minister Netanyahu framed the moment as a turning point toward the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, insisting that the goal now is the complete disarmament and demilitarization of Hamas and a governance arrangement for Gaza that does not rely on armed confrontation. National leaders and families of the hostages voiced a mix of relief, tribute, and resolve as the nation mourned the loss of those who did not come home. The question of how to proceed in Gaza now centers on disarmament and demilitarization, with Washington signaling continued engagement and a preference for a structured transition that could leverage the absence of living hostages as leverage for compliance. The White House and mediators have pressed for a pathway that avoids a dangerous vacuum, while Israeli officials caution that any reopening of crossing points and involvement in reconstruction must not create avenues for renewed arms flow or renewed aggression. The Rafah Crossing, long seen by Israel as a potential vulnerability, was opened in the past days in a limited way as negotiation dynamics evolved around the Gvili outcome and the broader ceasefire framework. Israel remains wary of external guarantees that could enable Hamas to rearm, and it continues to stress the primacy of security measures at the border and within Gaza. In a broader regional context, US naval and air forces have underscored a show of force and deterrence. The arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with accompanying destroyers, into the Middle East region broadens American capability to defend forces in the area or respond to potential escalation involving Iran. President Trump publicly described an “armada” moving toward Iran, a signal intended to deter or, if necessary, to backstop broader US options. Tehran has warned that any attack would be treated as all-out war, reinforcing the high-stakes calculus facing regional players who must balance deterrence with the risk of miscalculation. The United Arab Emirates stated that it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for hostile actions against Iran, a reminder that regional alignments and red lines are being actively negotiated. Separately, Iran confronts a sweeping domestic crisis that has drawn international scrutiny. A United Nations expert on Iran described hospital interventions and detentions linked to nationwide protests, noting that families face demands for substantial ransoms to recover bodies of loved ones. The expert highlighted concerns about medical neutrality and credible access to care, underscoring a pattern that has drawn sharp international condemnation as security forces have cracked down across provinces. Iran’s leadership, meanwhile, faces internal dissent and public pressure that complicates any clear external messaging about how the regime would respond to external pressure or internal upheaval. In other regional developments, donor nations and partners continue to play a role in stabilizing neighboring states. Qatar announced a roughly $430 million package for Lebanon, with a focus on the electricity sector and humanitarian projects, alongside programs to support voluntary returns for Syrians and reintegration. The aid is part of a broader regional effort to address infrastructure deficits and displacement, while Lebanon navigates a frail economic landscape and the fragility of public services. The ...
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    8 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 17:06
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESLast Gaza hostage identified and returned homeUS carrier group boosts deterrence against IranIsrael fights rising mental health tollThe time is now 12:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.As of 12:00 PM, day 843 of the Gaza war, Israel announced that the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, Staff-Sergeant-Major Ran Gvili, have been identified and repatriated for burial in Israel. The IDF said the body was recovered in northern Gaza after covert operations conducted over the weekend, with identification confirmed by the National Forensics Institute, rabbinic advisors, and police. A flag-draped coffin was received by mourners and soldiers sang the national anthem as Gvili’s remains were brought home to Meitar.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the development a fulfillment of a promise, saying, “We promised, and I promised, to bring everyone back. We brought them all back, down to the very last captive.” President Isaac Herzog praised the moment, noting that for the first time since 2014 there are no Israeli citizens left hostage in Gaza, and he thanked the teams and partners who helped secure the return. The government’s statement on the matter highlighted the broader toll of the war, noting the lives lost and the injuries suffered by civilians and security forces, and it paid tribute to the 924 IDF soldiers who fell in battle, along with the bereaved families who endured the long ordeal.The operation marks the end of the long hostage saga in Gaza, and it is being framed by Israeli leaders as a milestone in fulfilling a moral obligation to bring the living and the dead home. The Mitt that accompanies the return has been shaped by the broader, US-backed effort to redraw the border security landscape in Gaza and create conditions for a long-term arrangement that Israeli authorities hope will prevent a recurrence of the events of October 7, 2023. Officials stressed that the first phase of the broader peace framework remains ongoing, with the aim of demilitarizing Gaza and enabling a transition toward a non-threatening environment, while humanitarian access and reconstruction proceed.In the immediate hours after Gvili’s identification, leaders in Jerusalem emphasized the need to move forward with reconstruction and security. Netanyahu, speaking in parliament, said the mission to recover all captives was completed and pledged to safeguard Israel’s borders and people. Herzog underscored national unity and resilience, and the government reiterated its commitment to learn lessons from the war and maintain a strong security posture to deter future aggression.Simultaneously, regional and international dynamics continued to unfold. The United States has positioned a carrier strike group and additional air and missile defense assets in the theater as a deterrent against Iran and its proxies, with senior American officials stressing readiness to respond to any escalation. The growing presence of US and allied forces in the region comes as Iran’s perceived influence and its networks remain a core security concern for Israel and many partners in the region.In the Gulf, shifts in alignment and policy are shaping the regional security landscape. Saudi Arabia has signaled a recalibration toward stability and more cautious engagement with regional rivals, while the United Arab Emirates has pressed on with its own strategic calculations, including how it balances its own security concerns with the evolving regional dynamic. Analysts say these shifts could influence how Israel and the United States manage diplomacy, defense cooperation, and the pace of any broad regional realignment.Lebanon’s Hezbollah, meanwhile, warned that Washington’s posture toward Iran risks drawing in a larger conflict. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, said the group would respond to any aggression against Iran and that the region would feel the consequences of any such confrontation. The warning highlights the delicate balance regional actors are trying to maintain as geopolitical fault lines run through the area.In Europe and beyond, Italy announced it would push EU partners to place Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on the EU’s terrorist list, citing concerns over the regime’s crackdown on protests and human rights abuses. The move signals growing international pressure on Tehran, even as some EU states have previously resisted such a designation for strategic and diplomatic reasons.Domestically, Israel faces continued social and psychological pressures from the prolonged conflict. New data published this week show rising rates of depression and stress, particularly among communities near Gaza, alongside other indicators of strain on public life and trust in institutions. Officials say addressing mental health and rebuilding social cohesion will be an essential component of the post-conflict period, in addition to physical reconstruction and ...
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    7 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 16:07
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESRan Gvili Returns Home as Israel GrievesUS Boosts Deterrence Amid Iran Drone ThreatUpwind Security Secures 250 Million FundingThe time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.The last Israeli hostage remains identified and returned to Israel today, marking the closing chapter in more than two years of captivity. The IDF announced that Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili’s body was found in a cemetery in northern Gaza after covert searches over the weekend, with the identification confirmed by the National Center for Forensic Medicine, in coordination with the police and military rabbinate. Soldiers from the 252nd Division saluted the remains as they were brought home, and the scene at Beersheba and at Kibbutz Alumim was one of solemn relief and national mourning. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country’s security and political leadership offered praise for the operation and for the families who carried the long vigil, while President Isaac Herzog and other officials spoke of a nation united in gratitude and grief. As a symbol of this moment, banners and pins associated with hostages were removed by the president and first lady in a public gesture of closure.The Gvili family received the news with a mixture of relief and sorrow, reflecting the long and painful journey since October 7, 2023, when Ran was killed in battle during the Gaza border fighting and his body was taken to Gaza. Local leaders and police officials conveyed their condolences and gratitude for the way the family conducted itself through an ordeal that drew broad national attention. Across the country, the return was seen as a realization of a pledge to bring every Israeli home, and a reminder of the human cost of the conflict near the Gaza border.Beyond the homecoming, Israel’s security environment remains firmly in focus. The United States has reinforced deterrence in the region with the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and associated strike group to the area, part of a broader effort to bolster defenses in case of escalation with Iran and its proxies. Analysts note that Iran’s use of swarming, low-cost drones presents a credible challenge to high-value vessels in busy passages, underscoring the importance of coordinated air, sea, and missile defenses with regional partners. The United States and Israel have stressed a tight operational relationship, with high-level exchanges between CENTCOM and Israeli defense leadership in recent days as forces posture for possible contingencies.Tensions surrounding Iran continue to shape regional calculations. In Tehran, leaders and regime-linked media have warned of consequences should external actors move to strike Iran, even as leaks from Iranian officials circulating to Western outlets suggest internal dissent over the regime’s crackdown on protesters and the handling of civilian casualties. The debate over Tehran’s strategy has intensified as international actors consider responses to Iran’s domestic crackdown and its ongoing support for allied groups and militant proxies. Washington has characterized the Iranian crackdown as a matter of grave concern for human rights and regional stability, while private experts warn that continued confrontations could widen the conflict across the Middle East.Regional strategic dynamics also remain unsettled. A thorough regional analysis notes growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with shifting alignments that could affect Israel’s security calculations and American diplomacy. While the Abraham Accords have linked Israel with the UAE and Bahrain, recent divergences, especially in Yemen policy and broader regional balancing, raise questions about how Riyadh and Abu Dhabi view the trajectory of stability in the Gulf and the potential implications for Jerusalem and Washington. Saudi Arabia’s leadership appears intent on preserving stability and hedging its relations with major powers, while the UAE has pursued a broader regional approach that sometimes diverges from Riyadh’s emphasis on caution and containment.In Europe and beyond, policy responses to Iran’s regional role are evolving. Italy announced it would press its European Union partners to place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the EU’s terrorist list, linking the move to a harsher response to the regime’s domestic crackdown and international actions. While other EU members have hesitated, Italy signaled a shift in its posture toward Tehran’s leadership, signaling a broader debate inside Europe about how to confront Iran’s regional behavior.Back home, Israelis digest the broader toll of the conflict through new government data released on mental health and well-being. The Central Bureau of Statistics shows rising reports of depression and stress among Israelis in 2024, with communities near the Gaza border bearing a disproportionate share of ...
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    8 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-26 at 15:07
    Jan 26 2026
    HEADLINESFinal Gaza hostage Ran Gvili returned homeUS carrier group strengthens deterrence against IranRussia pulls forces from Qamishli airportThe time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At ten o’clock this morning, Israeli authorities announced that the remains of the final hostage held in Gaza have been identified and returned to Israel, marking a definitive end to a long and painful chapter for families and for the nation. Police and military authorities confirmed that Staff Sergeant Major Ran Gvili’s remains were located, identified, and will be laid to rest in Israel. The completion of this identification brings closure for the families after more than 840 days since his capture on October seventh, 2023, during the Hamas assault on southern Israel. In a coordinated effort involving the police, the military, and the national center for forensic medicine, investigators matched his remains to the family and notified them promptly. The event closes a saga that began with a campaign to bring him home and ends Israel’s effort to recover all those taken hostage in that conflict.With this development, Israel has stated that the border crossing at Rafah with Egypt will reopen once the operation to recover Gvili’s remains was completed, a step that would reestablish a vital humanitarian and logistical link for Gaza’s civilian population and aid groups. Officials noted that the move aligns with broader ceasefire arrangements and negotiations aimed at stabilizing the region, though no timetable was immediately available for the border’s reopening. In the wider frame of the ceasefire, Hamas and Israel agreed in October to a staged process intended to end hostilities, release detainees, and allow reconstruction and normalization steps in Gaza, including the eventual demilitarization of the enclave. Even as the hostage issue closes a chapter, both sides have signaled that the broader and adversarial landscape remains volatile, requiring vigilance and disciplined diplomacy.Across the region, security developments and strategic calculations continue to shape the operating environment for Israel and its partners. In Washington, the movement of a US carrier strike group into Middle East waters has intensified consultations with regional partners, as Washington weighs options for deterring or countering threats from Iran and its satellites. The carrier group, equipped with advanced air and missile defense capabilities, has been reinforced by additional destroyers and aerial assets in the area. These deployments come amid rising concern about Iran’s developing drone and missile capabilities, and about the prospect of a larger confrontation that could draw in regional proxies and neighboring states. Analysts who monitor the balance of power emphasize that the dynamic is shaped by tactics that rely on saturation and massed fires, challenging traditional defenses and demanding layered, flexible responses from allied forces.One focal point of the broader risk environment is Iran’s use of drone swarms and low-cost ordnance, a pattern that some security observers describe as a credible threat to high-value vessels and installations in the region. An assessment circulating in defense circles suggests that while individual drones may be inexpensive, a coordinated volley could stress radar, interceptors, and point-defense systems when launched in rapid succession. In parallel, the United States has maintained a visible and coordinated posture with Israel, underscoring a shared interest in preventing escalation and in sustaining deterrence against potential Iranian actions, including through air, sea, and missile-defense cooperation with partner forces.In parallel, the northern theater has seen shifting dynamics as Russia continues to adjust its posture in Syria. Reports indicate that Moscow is gradually withdrawing forces from Qamishli airport in the northeast, part of a broader realignment as Damascus seeks to expand its control across the country and narrows the space for Kurdish-led authorities. The withdrawal accompanies a fragile ceasefire that has been extended for an additional period, while Syria’s government moves to assert full sovereignty over larger swaths of the country. Observers note that Russian bases in western Syria are expected to remain, preserving Moscow’s influence and its strategic footholds, even as forces depart from select outposts. The evolving ground picture adds another layer of complexity to the security environment and to Russia’s role in shaping regional outcomes.In Iraq, Iran-backed militias continue to signal readiness for broader conflict, with Kataib Hezbollah issuing statements that call for supporters to prepare for extended confrontation in solidarity with Iran. The group—part of the broader Popular Mobilization Forces structure—has a history of cross-border activity, including previous attacks ...
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    8 mins