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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-15 at 10:08
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
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HEADLINES
Syria eyes SDF operation amid Kurdish talks
US backs Palestinian technical authority in Gaza
Iran crackdown sparks Western calls for restraint
The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. It is 5:00 AM, and here are the latest developments shaping the regional security landscape and related international responses.
In the Levant, Israeli forces conducted operations in the southern Lebanese border town of Aadaysit Marjayoun early Thursday, demolishing two houses in the area, according to the Hezbollah-linked outlet Al Mayadeen. The demolition follows Israel’s stated objective of counterterrorism measures along the border. Separately, the IDF announced that overnight it demolished the Hebron home of Imran al-Atrash, described as one of the terrorists involved in the November 18, 2025 ramming and stabbing attack that killed a 70-year-old Kiryat Arba resident and wounded three others. The army characterized the action as a “closing of a circle” in the fight against terrorism. In other security news, an IDF reservist from the 16th Infantry Brigade, the Jerusalem Brigade, was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip by a stray bullet on Wednesday and was evacuated for medical treatment.
Turning to Syria, a strategic shift is underway as Damascus intensifies outreach to Kurdish groups amid signals of a possible new operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces, which are backed by the United States and largely composed of Kurdish fighters. Syrian state media reported that the talks involve broader regional support for a post-conflict realignment. At the same time, Syria is signaling readiness to manage displacement and humanitarian needs. UN and other international bodies have noted displaced residents returning to neighborhoods in Aleppo, even as Damascus asserts that it is targeting “SDF elements, PKK militants, and remnants of the deposed regime” in Dayr Hafir and neighboring areas. Official messaging, including references to “closed military zones,” is seen by observers as an effort to frame broader operations in regional terms and to appeal to Western audiences. Turkish drones and Ankara’s backing of the Syrian government remain a factor in the evolving regional security picture, with Ankara pressuring to limit Kurdish influence while signaling readiness to coordinate with Russian and Iranian partners on shared security concerns.
In Gaza, the ongoing phase of the conflict’s management continues to hinge on international diplomacy and the humanitarian corridor framework. The United States has signaled a shift to Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to a technocratic administration in Gaza, disarmament of unauthorized armed groups, and reconstruction. The newly envisioned Palestinian technical authority, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, is expected to guide governance and facilitate the disarmament process, although Hamas’s willingness to relinquish weapons remains under close scrutiny. The plan includes consideration of an International Stabilization Force under UN auspices to oversee areas still under Israeli control as a transition toward broader withdrawal. The United States says that the disarmament process would be implemented in stages, including the removal of weapons facilities and missiles. Israelis say the effort to recover the last hostage and finalize arrangements remains a priority for ongoing discussions with regional mediators, including Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. In parallel, Iraq has stepped forward with humanitarian assistance to Gaza, delivering at least 12 tons of aid via C-130 aircraft, with shipments routed through Egypt’s Rafah crossing. Iraqi officials emphasize that the aid reflects Iraq’s stance in support of the Palestinian cause, while noting no formal relations with Israel.
Syria eyes SDF operation amid Kurdish talks
US backs Palestinian technical authority in Gaza
Iran crackdown sparks Western calls for restraint
The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. It is 5:00 AM, and here are the latest developments shaping the regional security landscape and related international responses.
In the Levant, Israeli forces conducted operations in the southern Lebanese border town of Aadaysit Marjayoun early Thursday, demolishing two houses in the area, according to the Hezbollah-linked outlet Al Mayadeen. The demolition follows Israel’s stated objective of counterterrorism measures along the border. Separately, the IDF announced that overnight it demolished the Hebron home of Imran al-Atrash, described as one of the terrorists involved in the November 18, 2025 ramming and stabbing attack that killed a 70-year-old Kiryat Arba resident and wounded three others. The army characterized the action as a “closing of a circle” in the fight against terrorism. In other security news, an IDF reservist from the 16th Infantry Brigade, the Jerusalem Brigade, was wounded in the northern Gaza Strip by a stray bullet on Wednesday and was evacuated for medical treatment.
Turning to Syria, a strategic shift is underway as Damascus intensifies outreach to Kurdish groups amid signals of a possible new operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces, which are backed by the United States and largely composed of Kurdish fighters. Syrian state media reported that the talks involve broader regional support for a post-conflict realignment. At the same time, Syria is signaling readiness to manage displacement and humanitarian needs. UN and other international bodies have noted displaced residents returning to neighborhoods in Aleppo, even as Damascus asserts that it is targeting “SDF elements, PKK militants, and remnants of the deposed regime” in Dayr Hafir and neighboring areas. Official messaging, including references to “closed military zones,” is seen by observers as an effort to frame broader operations in regional terms and to appeal to Western audiences. Turkish drones and Ankara’s backing of the Syrian government remain a factor in the evolving regional security picture, with Ankara pressuring to limit Kurdish influence while signaling readiness to coordinate with Russian and Iranian partners on shared security concerns.
In Gaza, the ongoing phase of the conflict’s management continues to hinge on international diplomacy and the humanitarian corridor framework. The United States has signaled a shift to Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to a technocratic administration in Gaza, disarmament of unauthorized armed groups, and reconstruction. The newly envisioned Palestinian technical authority, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, is expected to guide governance and facilitate the disarmament process, although Hamas’s willingness to relinquish weapons remains under close scrutiny. The plan includes consideration of an International Stabilization Force under UN auspices to oversee areas still under Israeli control as a transition toward broader withdrawal. The United States says that the disarmament process would be implemented in stages, including the removal of weapons facilities and missiles. Israelis say the effort to recover the last hostage and finalize arrangements remains a priority for ongoing discussions with regional mediators, including Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. In parallel, Iraq has stepped forward with humanitarian assistance to Gaza, delivering at least 12 tons of aid via C-130 aircraft, with shipments routed through Egypt’s Rafah crossing. Iraqi officials emphasize that the aid reflects Iraq’s stance in support of the Palestinian cause, while noting no formal relations with Israel.