Episodes

  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 07:08

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 07:08
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESIsrael, US push ten-year defense pactRan Gvili's remains returned, last hostage concludedIran fragility fuels US regional force pushThe time is now 2:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Israel and the United States are moving toward a renewed security framework, with discussions focused on a new decade‑long arrangement that would extend American military support while Israel plans for a future with less direct cash grants. The Financial Times reported that Israel is preparing talks with the Trump administration on a ten-year security accord, aiming to prioritize joint defense projects over outright cash handouts. Gil Pinchas, stepping down as the defense ministry’s chief financial adviser, said the emphasis in negotiations would be on defense collaboration and defense industry work rather than pure monetary assistance. He noted that the current memorandum of understanding, running through 2028, provides about 38 billion dollars in military aid, 33 billion in grants to buy US equipment, and five billion for missile defense, and that Washington’s financial support could gradually be reduced as Israel expands its own defense capabilities and domestic funding. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken in recent weeks of tapering reliance on US military aid within the next decade, a goal that would influence how any new arrangement is structured. The United States State Department did not respond to requests for comment outside regular hours, but officials have underscored that the defense partnership extends beyond cash flows and includes technology, training, and interoperability that are central to the bilateral security relationship.In Gaza, signaling a major milestone in a painful chapter of the conflict, Israel announced that Ran Gvili’s remains had been identified and returned, marking the apparent close of the last hostage held in Gaza. The development comes after a long period in which Israeli society grappled with the hostage crisis and the broader question of ongoing Gaza governance. The return of Gvili closes a difficult chapter for his family and for the country, even as questions remain about the path forward in Gaza. Israel had linked progress on a broader Gaza plan, including disarmament of Hamas and a transition of Gaza’s governing authority, to phases of a diplomatic and security architecture associated with a former US proposal. While the hostages’ fate is now resolved in one sense, Israeli leaders say the road ahead in Gaza remains complex and unresolved, including security arrangements, governance, and the displacement and reconstruction needs of border communities.Beyond bilateral security and Gaza, Washington’s posture toward Iran continues to be a defining factor in regional stability. An intelligence outlook reported by The New York Times cites concerns inside the White House that the Iranian regime is facing notable fragility, with protests and economic pressure challenging the leadership’s grip on power. In response, the United States has moved additional forces into the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and more air defense assets, while long‑range bombers and other platforms have been kept on heightened alert. Senior administration and military officials are split over the calculus of any potential strike, with some advisers urging restraint and others arguing for a show of force to deter or degrade Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. The discussions have also involved regional partners, with talks conducted with Israeli officials and counterparts in Baghdad, Riyadh, and Doha as Washington weighs options in a volatile security environment. The broad context remains that Iran’s leadership faces internal pressures, but any decision to act would carry significant risk of escalation across multiple theaters.Within Israeli politics, a major debate now centers on ARAB party collaboration ahead of elections and how to translate electoral power into influence. Ra’am, the Islamist party led by Mansour Abbas, has been weighing a united slate with Hadash, Ta’al, and Balad as a technical union aimed at ensuring Arab representation in the Knesset. Abbas has signaled a willingness to join a government if his party can secure a constructive role, while balancing the potential costs of allying with more hardline elements. The alliance could yield a block of seats capable of shifting the balance of power, depending on how lists are arranged and which factions remain aligned after the campaign. The unity push comes amid a wave of crime and social volatility in Arab communities, which has intensified calls for coordinated action. Political observers note that the outcome of any joint list would have implications not only for the next government’s composition but also for security policy and the management of intercommunal tensions within Israel.Turning to memory and memory ...
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    8 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 06:07

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 06:07
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESIsrael-US eye 10-year security pactBergen-Belsen route fuels memorial fearsIran crisis triggers sanctions and carrier deploymentThe time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the hourly update. At this hour, reports from multiple capitals highlight a continuing shift in the interplay between security, memory, and diplomacy across the Middle East and beyond.In Jerusalem, the Financial Times reports that Israel is preparing talks with the Trump administration on a new 10-year security agreement. The aim, the paper notes, is to extend United States military support while planning for a future in which billions in American grants are no longer a given. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has indicated in recent remarks that he intends to reduce Israeli reliance on American aid within about a decade, suggesting that he may not seek a full renewal of the current 3.8 billion dollar annual military assistance package when it renegotiates in 2028. The situation underscores a broader debate inside Israel about sustaining security commitments in a changing fiscal and geopolitical environment while seeking greater self-reliance in defense.On a separate track, memory and memory’s guardians are contending with infrastructure plans that touch on Holocaust history. In Germany, officials have proposed a “preferred route” for a new high‑speed line between Hamburg and Hanover that would pass within a short distance of the Bergen-Belsen loading ramp. Holocaust memorial institutions warn that such proximity could disturb the ramp where tens of thousands were loaded for deportation during the Nazi era. Memorial leaders have urged the Bundestag’s transportation committee to pursue an alternate route, arguing that safeguarding the site’s dignity and educational mission must come first. The debate has intensified as International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed, highlighting the tension between modernization and memory in a country wrestling with its past.In the United States, reaction to domestic events continues to echo across communal concerns. The American Jewish community, including the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, has spoken out against the latest police-immigration enforcement incidents in Minneapolis, urging a measured, principled approach to law enforcement that protects civil rights and due process. Jewish communal leaders stress the danger of conflating policy debates with the safety of communities and reiterate the importance of safeguarding democratic norms.International memory and culture also feature in recent reflections on Jewish history. In a television episode that aired this week, actress Lizzy Caplan learns of a relative who survived four camps, among other revelations about her lineage. The episode, part of a PBS series, revisits the enduring impact of the Holocaust on individual families and the ways in which memory informs contemporary identity.Meanwhile, deep questions about regional security continue to circulate around Iran. The New York Times reports that President Trump has received intelligence indicating that the Iranian government is facing its most significant instability since 1979. Protests have subsided, yet economic hardship persists, and the regime remains under pressure from a combination of domestic strain and international scrutiny. In response, US forces have shifted assets into the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and additional air and missile defense capabilities. Advisers remain divided on whether and how to respond militarily, with some hawkish elements advocating assertive action and others urging caution amid broader regional risks. In parallel, a US official outlined that talks with regional partners continue, as Washington weighs options in coordination with allies.The sanctions front also remains active. The US Treasury has expanded penalties against Iranian-linked vessels and entities tied to oil transfers, part of a broader effort to disrupt funding streams supporting Tehran’s activities and proxies. The State Department has offered a rewards program of up to 15 million dollars for information leading to identification of entities involved in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ oil sales, underscoring Washington’s aim to choke off illicit revenue. These measures come as the administration surveys potential responses to any future Iranian moves in a volatile security environment.On the security theater surrounding Gaza, there is cautious attention to the implications of recent events. The repatriation and identification of a captured Israeli hostage marked a turning point in public sentiment and policy debates about Gaza’s governance, the status of Hamas, and the path toward a lasting resolution. Observers note that even as operations continue and negotiations proceed in various corridors, the ...
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    8 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 05:07

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 05:07
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESLast Gaza hostage returned as war shiftsUS sanctions Iran oil sales and vesselsCarrier strike group deployed to deter IranThe time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Today’s hourly briefing from the Middle East and global Jewish communities opens with a quiet moment of consequence. Ran Gvili’s repatriation and identification as the final hostage held in Gaza closes a painful chapter for Israel and its families, but it does not erase the broader security and political questions that will shape the days ahead.In Israel, the return of Gvili marks a decisive moment in a war that stretched for 844 days and forced a difficult calculus between military actions, diplomacy, and humanitarian considerations. His family’s campaign underscored a national commitment to bringing loved ones home, a principle some observers say defines the nation even as it confronts hard tradeoffs. With the last hostage accounted for, attention shifts to how Israel will pursue its stated goals in Gaza, including the phase of the Trump-era Gaza plan aimed at disarming Hamas and altering Gaza’s governing framework. The path forward remains uncertain, and Israeli leaders will face ongoing debates at home about how to balance security needs with diplomacy, reconstruction, and the expectations of families still healing from the Oct. 7 attacks.Beyond Gaza, regional and international voices weighed in on questions of security, diplomacy, and technology’s impact on society. In France, the National Assembly voted to ban children under 15 from social networks or embedded social functionalities, a move Macron framed as protecting youth from online harms. The bill now moves to the Senate before final passage, with supporters arguing it sets a boundary for a sphere increasingly linked to mental health concerns; opponents warn of enforcement challenges and questions about freedom of access. Australia has already moved in a related direction, and the broader European context includes varied national approaches to age limits and platform obligations.On the security front, Washington continued to signal pressure on Iran’s regime through sanctions and enforcement actions. The State Department announced a rewards program offering up to $15 million for information identifying entities involved in IRGC oil sales, aiming to disrupt a key revenue stream for Iran’s regional influence and its support for illicit activities. The United States also added nine vessels and related entities to OFAC sanctions lists tied to Iranian oil and petrochemical transfers, part of a broader effort to constrain financing channels for Tehran’s programs. In parallel, officials noted a steady stream of allied and regional concerns about Iran’s pursuit of weapons and its domestic crackdown on protests, while some Arab and regional partners urged restraint and sought to prevent a broader confrontation.The security environment in the region was further shaped by maritime and air movements reported by Western officials. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Mediterranean, with accompanying destroyers capable of Tomahawk strikes, as part of a posture intended to deter escalation. Concurrently, US and allied forces are said to be positioning air defense systems and F-15E aircraft at regional bases, underscoring a vigilance against potential Iranian or allied actions. Iranian officials, meanwhile, warned of a robust and comprehensive response to any American strike, emphasizing that any attack would elicit a forceful and multi-domain reaction.In the Gulf and wider region, the United Arab Emirates reiterated its stance of neutrality in order to maintain stability, stating that its airspace, territorial waters, and land would not be used for hostile action against Iran. The posture reflects a broader regional calculation: preserve security channels, avoid open conflict, and balance pressure with diplomacy amid demonstrations at home and abroad that complicate any sudden shifts in regional alignments.The humanitarian and human-rights dimension remains a global concern. The IOM warned that the Mediterranean crossing remains the deadliest migration route, with hundreds feared dead or missing after recent shipwrecks amid severe weather. The organization cited confirmed fatalities in Italy and Libya and noted the difficulty of search operations in rough seas, emphasizing that the death toll from trafficking and perilous crossings continues to mount despite ongoing rescue efforts.Reflecting the Jewish global public sphere, American Jewish organizations responded to domestic incidents with measured, principled statements. Following the fatal shooting of a civilian by an ICE agent in Minnesota, groups including the American Jewish Committee urged careful review and restraint, stressing that violence and the loss of life demand ...
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    8 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 04:07

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 04:07
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESHezbollah strikes near Tyre border tremblesIran crackdown tightens journalists face perilEU eyes IRGC designation over Iran abusesThe time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Tonight, a set of developments across memory, security, and policy shapes how the world watches the Middle East and its wider implications.A new documentary about Elie Wiesel, the Nobel laureate whose Holocaust memoir Night helped shape global memory, is drawing renewed attention to questions of witness, responsibility, and Israel’s place in the broader discourse on human rights. Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire examines Wiesel from his youth in Sighet to his work as a writer, professor, and public advocate. The film highlights his lifelong effort to give meaning to suffering and to speak out against injustice, including his public stance on Israel and his nuanced discussions of Middle East conflict in later years. Filmmaker Oren Rudavsky uses family footage, interviews with Wiesel’s wife, Marion, and the students he mentored at Boston University, and archival clips to trace how his experiences informed his insistence that memory must translate into action. A notable moment the film revisits is Wiesel’s appeal to former United States President Ronald Reagan during a visit to Bitburg, urging a careful remembrance of all victims of the Nazi era. The documentary also features Wiesel’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech in which he connected the Holocaust to ongoing human rights struggles, including those in Southern Africa and the Soviet Union, and he acknowledged the Palestinian plight in a way that underscored his belief that violence cannot justify oppression on any side. The film includes scenes from a Newark, New Jersey middle school classroom where students study Night, demonstrating how a new generation grapples with questions of memory, identity, and moral responsibility. As the film notes, Wiesel’s life and work continue to raise questions about the responsibilities that come with memory and the duties of speaking out against injustice, while Franklin-era and postwar events in the region remain touchstones for understanding contemporary debates about security and human rights.In the border region between Israel and Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces report that three Hezbollah operatives were killed in separate strikes in southern Lebanon. One strike near the coastal city of Tyre killed Ali Nour a-Din, whom the military said headed an artillery unit aligned with Hezbollah. A second strike near Nabatieh killed two other operatives. Lebanese authorities confirmed fatalities. The Israel Defense Forces describe these actions as violations of understandings reached in a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement in late 2024, which purportedly ended a year of fighting that had weakened Hezbollah’s capabilities. Since that ceasefire, the Israeli military has said it killed hundreds of Hezbollah-linked targets and roughly four hundred operatives. Israel maintains that Hezbollah has sought to rearm and reconstitute a conventional and rocket threat along the border, while Hezbollah and its supporters portray Israeli operations as violations of the terms of the ceasefire. The broader context remains a volatile mix of deterrence, diplomacy, and the risk of renewed escalation along a front that has already seen intense fighting since October of 2023.A London-based Persian-language broadcaster, Iran International, appears once again in this update because it has continued to document and broadcast the crackdown on protests in Iran. Journalists at the channel describe threats to their safety and families as they work to verify images and testimonies from across the country. The organization, which Iran has labeled a terrorist entity, says its reporting continues to rely on a network of editors and reporters around the world and a sizable audience inside Iran who access it by satellite and private networks despite a government-imposed communications blackout. Estimates of casualties from the recent crackdown remain contested: Iran International cites figures from newly obtained documents suggesting tens of thousands may have been killed since protests began, while independent rights groups and other monitoring bodies offer lower tallies that still indicate a severe and ongoing human rights crisis. The reporting highlights the broader information contest surrounding Iran’s leadership, internal dissent, and external concerns about regional stability.In domestic politics, the ongoing debate over how to draw moral lines in policy continues to surface in American public discourse. Minnesota’s governor drew international headlines by invoking the memory of Anne Frank while criticizing immigration enforcement actions, linking the lessons of the Holocaust to contemporary policy debates about the treatment of asylum seekers and migrants. Critics, including the United ...
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    7 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 03:05

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 03:05
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESThree Hezbollah Operatives Killed Amid Ceasefire BreachGaza Postwar Diplomacy Ties Aid to DisarmamentHamas Cooperates to Recover Israeli Hostage BodiesThe time is now 10:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.10:00 PM. This is a late-evening update from the Middle East front. Three Hezbollah operatives were killed in separate Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. One of the men was identified by the Lebanese health ministry as killed in Tyre, Ali Nour a-Din, who the army said headed an artillery unit. Two others were reported dead in the village of Kfar Rumman near Nabatieh. The military added that Nour a-Din had carried out attacks on Israel during the current round of fighting and had recently worked to restore Hezbollah’s rocket capabilities in the area. Hezbollah’s media outlets identified Nour a-Din as a former presenter on a television channel affiliated with the group and as an imam in the Tyre outskirts. The Hezbollah leadership denounced the strikes as a treacherous assassination.Israeli officials said the operation in Tyre breached understandings reached in the US-brokered ceasefire agreed in November 2024, which ended more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Since that ceasefire, Israeli forces have repeatedly said Hezbollah has sought to rebuild its capabilities, and Israeli authorities have stressed that any rearmament or rearmament efforts near the border would be met with a reply.The broader backdrop remains the long-running conflict that began when Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into northern Israel on October the eighth, 2023, one day after Hamas launched a major assault in southern Israel, setting off a wider war in Gaza. Since the truce, Israeli forces say they have killed hundreds of Hezbollah-linked operatives and struck a wide range of targets tied to the group, arguing these actions are violations of the border understandings between the two countries.In related developments, discussions among international partners continue to shape how the region manages security and reconstruction in Gaza. The United States-led diplomacy has linked a broader effort toward stabilizing Gaza with steps to curb weapons and improve governance on the ground. Washington has highlighted that a number of countries have joined a proposed Board of Peace to help oversee Gaza’s postwar framework, while stressing that any reconstruction aid should be tied to security assurances and disarmament measures.Separately, Italian officials signaled a push to have Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union, arguing that recent crackdown on protests in Iran warrants a stronger stance. The move is part of a larger international debate about Iran’s regional involvement and the impact of its actions on security in the Middle East. European and Middle Eastern partners have debated the scope of sanctions and designation, with Israel’s government and allied states supporting stronger measures.In a related line of reporting on Gaza, negotiations and operations around locating and returning hostages have produced mixed but hopeful signals. United States officials described Hamas as cooperative in efforts to locate and recover the bodies of Israeli hostages, including the final one recovered in a cemetery in Gaza City in recent days. Officials said the work demonstrates what can be achieved through coordinated action among regional powers and mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. The same officials indicated a continuing push to create a security and rebuilding framework that could involve a Palestinian policing role and some form of governance for Gaza, while insisting that any disarmament of armed factions is essential to broader stability.On the ground in Israel’s tourism sector, authorities said they have prepared a contingency plan to evacuate roughly 42,000 tourists if escalating tensions with Iran threaten airspace or safety. Tourism Ministry officials described internal procedures designed to keep visitors informed and safe, including multi-language communications and a centralized operations center to coordinate responses.In domestic matters, opinion surveys in the United States show continued concerns over immigration policy, with a Reuters-Ipsos poll indicating the public remains divided on the administration’s approach.Meanwhile, diplomatic and security conversations continue around the possibility of a broad realignment in the region. United States officials have described discussions about a subsequent phase in Gaza’s postwar timeline, including considerations about reconstruction funding and security arrangements, as well as how a future governance structure could accommodate both Israeli and Palestinian authorities. They stress that any steps toward rebuilding must be matched by measures to reduce the ...
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    6 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 02:06

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 02:06
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESEU to designate IRGC as terroristRafah reopens with US Israel Egypt coordinationIsrael readies evacuation of 42,000 touristsThe time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At 9:00 PM, good evening. In Brussels, Italy’s foreign minister announced a push to expand the European Union’s list of designated terrorist organizations by including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, signaling a concerted shift in Europe’s policy toward Tehran in response to domestic and regional tensions. Italian remarks, supported by Israel and echoed by Israeli officials, come as the European Parliament urged immediate designation of the IRGC and related units, marking a broader alignment with concerns over Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and its regional activities. The move would broaden sanctions on the IRGC, its Quds Force, and the Basij, and would follow a parliamentary resolution urging the European Union to act.In Washington, officials described the broader Iran situation as “in flux” even as a substantial US maritime deployment remains in the region. President Trump stated that Iran is interested in diplomacy, while US officials underscored conditions for any possible nuclear agreement, including restrictions on enrichment and stockpiles, and a rollback of Tehran’s regional proxies. Separately, US officials said the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen with strong security coordination among the United States, Israel, and Egypt as mediators pursue a framework for Gaza’s postwar future.Israel is preparing for potential escalation by detailing a plan to evacuate up to about 42,000 tourists should airspace restrictions or conflict widen. Officials described an internal procedure and multilingual communications network designed to keep travelers informed and safe, including a operations center capable of rapid response.On the Gaza front, authorities noted that Hamas cooperated in locating and returning the body of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, a development cited by US officials as part of ongoing negotiations over disarmament and a broader ceasefire framework. Mediators continue to stress that disarmament is a central condition for any long-term settlement, even as discussions involve multiple regional players and mediators.A multinational effort known as the Board of Peace continues to shape the postwar Gaza landscape, with more than 25 countries participating. While the group endorses broader stabilization and reconstruction efforts, Palestinian Authority representation remains limited to observer status in this phase, and several major states have yet to respond to invitations.Iran’s internet blackout persists, with authorities restricting access and domestic disruptions impacting the digital economy. Officials acknowledge substantial economic losses, while some commentators defend the measure as a tool for stability; others warn that prolonged isolation risks fueling unrest.Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that antisemitism and dehumanization are resurging in many societies, urging education and vigilant protection of human rights in daily life and online spaces.In a regional financial development, Qatar announced about $434 million in support for Lebanon, focusing largely on stabilizing the energy sector and strengthening the Lebanese army. The funding is part of broader efforts to bolster stability in a region long unsettled by conflict and shifting alliances.Domestically, a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated 39% of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of immigration policy, with 53% disapproving, reflecting ongoing political polarization at home even as foreign policy events unfold abroad.In related diplomacy, Turkey’s foreign minister held a meeting in Ankara with Hamas delegates, underscoring ongoing mediation efforts aimed at advancing disarmament and political arrangements in Gaza.That is tonight’s update. We will continue monitoring these tied developments as they unfold and bring you further details as they become available.Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/international/article-884639https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-january-27-2026/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-884638https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-884637https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-hamas-worked-hard-to-return-body-of-last-hostage-now-it-must-disarm/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hyk000fblbehttps://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-884636https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-884635https://...
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    5 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 01:05

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 01:05
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESEU poised to designate IRGC Quds BasijGaza ceasefire hinges on Hamas disarmamentUS to press Iran talks with conditionsThe time is now 8:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 8:00 PM update on events shaping the Middle East and international diplomacy around Israel and the Jewish world.Italy’s foreign minister announced plans to press the European Union to add Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the bloc’s list of terrorist organizations, with additional sanctions on those deemed responsible for the crackdown on protests at home. The move, welcomed by Israel, followed a European Parliament resolution urging the Council to designate the IRGC, including its Quds Force and the Basij, in response to what Rome called civilian casualties and human rights violations. The issue underscores a widening regional debate over Iran’s approach to internal dissent and its external actions, and it arrives as European lawmakers weigh a coordinated stance with allied partners.In Washington, US officials signaled openness to dialogue with Tehran on terms that would address Iran’s behavior and its crackdown on protesters, while emphasizing that any talks would come with conditions. President Trump, who has warned Iran of broader consequences, also indicated that Washington would keep options open in the region, including potential actions if violence continues or if Iran accelerates its nuclear program. US carriers and forces remain in the region as a show of readiness, stressing the message that Washington remains engaged but seeks to avoid escalation unless Iran acts decisively.Israel is preparing for a possible escalation in the event of an Iranian strike, with the Tourism Ministry outlining plans to evacuate about 42,000 tourists if skies close or airspace becomes unsafe. The ministry has established internal procedures, multilingual communications, and a dedicated operations center to maintain contact with travelers and manage a rapid response if needed. The plan builds on lessons from prior security incidents and aims to assure visitors that help will be available and organized should flight restrictions or other disruptions occur. Lebanon, already bearing the fiscal strain of regional tensions, is set to receive roughly $434 million in financial support from Qatar, aimed largely at stabilizing Lebanon’s energy sector and strengthening the army’s capacity. The package reflects Qatar’s broader role as a mediator and investor in the region, as well as efforts to reduce pressure that could feed instability across the Levant.Economies across the region face knock-on effects from broader tensions. Iran’s internet blackout, in place since January, has inflicted estimated losses in the tens of millions of dollars for businesses and raised concerns among merchants about sustaining cross-border trade and communications. Some Iranian authorities have warned that restoring full global connectivity could risk social unrest, while business groups pressed for a quick return to normal operations to avoid deeper damage to the economy.In Gaza, the release and return of the last hostage has shifted the focus to the next phase of the ceasefire, described by Israeli and US leaders as demilitarization rather than reconstruction. Prime Minister Netanyahu and former US President Trump both stated that the path forward will require Hamas to disarm, a demand that faces skepticism about the group’s willingness to lay down its weapons. Mediators have proposed a gradual handover of weapons, a framework Israel has opposed, and Turkish officials reported a Hamas delegation meeting in Ankara as part of ongoing mediation efforts to advance disarmament and the broader postwar arrangement.Across the border in Lebanon and Iraq, regional actors continue to weigh potential responses to any surge in violence. Hezbollah’s leadership in Beirut warned that any threat to Iran would trigger regional consequences and indicated a willingness to engage if attacked, while stressing that actions would be decided in context with evolving battlefield conditions. In Iraq, officials cautioned that attacks on US or allied forces could escalate quickly if tensions flare, highlighting the delicate balance mediators seek to maintain to prevent a broader confrontation.In related diplomacy, the Turkish foreign ministry confirmed a meeting with Hamas representatives in Ankara, underscoring continued mediation efforts aimed at disarming Hamas and advancing the terms of a broader agreement for Gaza. While mediators press for steps toward demilitarization, Hamas has signaled it will guard its weapons, complicating the path to a durable ceasefire and postconflict rebuilding.Separately, the international community observed a moment of remembrance as the United Nations chief urged concerted action against antisemitism and the dehumanization that threatens Jewish communities and ...
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    6 mins
  • Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 00:07

    Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 00:07
    Jan 27 2026
    HEADLINESGaza ceasefire phase two disarms HamasHezbollah warns war with Iran risk growsYe apologizes for antisemitic remarks in WSJThe time is now 7:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Today’s global and regional update centers on the Gaza ceasefire’s second phase, broader Middle East tensions, and parallel international developments shaping Jewish and Israeli perspectives abroad. In Gaza, the return of Rem Ran Gvili’s remains marks the completion of the first phase of the truce agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the moment as a turning point and outlined the next phase: disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, not reconstruction. He stressed that the effort to remove weapons from Hamas is essential and warned that the process would proceed with or without cooperation, signaling high political stakes for the postwar period. In Washington, President Trump has repeatedly linked reconstruction to Hamas disarmament, framing the second phase of the plan as inseparable from guarantees that Hamas will relinquish its weapons. At the same time, US officials say the disarmament process could be accompanied by amnesty for Hamas members who renounce violence and pursue peaceful coexistence, though they emphasize that any such arrangement would be contingent on verifiable disarmament and compliance with the terms of the deal.Mediators in the region have pressed Hamas toward a gradual handover of weapons, a framework Israel has indicated it opposes if it implies concessions that reduce Hamas’s ability to operate. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Hamas delegates in Ankara, underscoring the ongoing regional diplomacy aimed at advancing disarmament and broader demilitarization in Gaza. Within Israel and among its supporters, there is broad skepticism about Hamas’s willingness to disarm fully, reflecting a long history of resistance to weapon relinquishment in past truces.In Washington, the US stance remains that it expects Hamas to disarm as part of Gaza’s redevelopment. A Reuters report quotes a US official saying Washington is "open for business" if Iran wishes to contact it as part of ongoing pressure over Tehran’s crackdown on protesters. The official also said there is confidence that Hamas will disarm and that the disarmament process could be tied to reconciliation mechanisms and safe passage for Hamas members seeking to relocate from Gaza. The same reporting notes that the Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to questions about possible amnesty for Hamas in exchange for disarmament. The broader policy frame remains: the postwar Gaza plan envisions a staged reconstruction that is contingent on Hamas laying down its arms.Across the region, risk calculations have grown more complex. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, warned that a war on Iran would ignite the region and pledged to confront any American threats to Iran’s Supreme Leader. He stopped short of vowing attacks on Israel but indicated Hezbollah could be drawn into actions if a broader confrontation with the United States and Israel ensues. Mediators reportedly asked whether Hezbollah would intervene if an American-Israeli strike on Iran occurred, with Qassem saying Hezbollah would act based on conditions of battle and stressing that the group would not remain neutral in such a scenario. The evolving posture from Tehran to Beirut reflects a broader uncertainty about how far de-escalation can hold if Washington and its partners press for a rapid disarmament and a new regional security architecture.Meanwhile, US military movements in the region have grown more visible. An aircraft carrier group and supporting warships have arrived in the Middle East, expanding Washington’s capacity to defend forces and deter further escalation. Iranian officials have warned that any attack would be treated as an all-out war, a rhetoric aimed at signaling resolve amid the heightened American military presence and deterrence posture. Analysts caution that such signaling increases the risk of miscalculation as regional actors interpret moves as preparation for a decisive strike.In other strands of the news, the World Jewish community and campuses continue to wrestle with antisemitism and safety questions in the wake of events around Ye’s public statements. Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, issued a full-page apology in the Wall Street Journal for years of antisemitic remarks, attributing some of his past behavior to a bipolar disorder and a car accident head injury that he says affected his mental health. He asserted that he is not a Nazi and expressed love for Jewish people. The Anti-Defamation League said the apology, while overdue in its timing, does not erase a long history of harmful rhetoric, and the truest apology would be to refrain from antisemitic conduct in the future. Jewish groups largely refrained from broad public commentary...
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    8 mins