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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-15 at 22:06
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
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HEADLINES
Yemen crowns Zindani as new PM
Israel rejects disciplinary bid against Amit
Gaza governance shifts to US-backed technocrats
The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good evening. This is your hourly briefing on the Middle East and related security developments.
In Yemen, the cabinet reshuffle moves forward as Prime Minister Salem bin Breik formally submitted his resignation and the presidential leadership council accepted it. Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen Zindani was named as the new prime minister and is expected to form the next government, a transition that comes amid Yemen’s continuing political realignment and the challenges of governance in the aftermath of conflict and division.
In Israel, the attorney general has rejected a disciplinary move against Chief Justice Isaac Amit, saying Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s bid lacked factual basis and legal validity. The dispute underscored ongoing tensions between political leadership and the judiciary, with implications for judicial independence and how political considerations may intersect with high court affairs. Levin has continued to push his case, arguing investigations and disciplinary steps remain essential to integrity in the judicial system.
At the United Nations, the United States said all options remain on the table to address the situation around Iran, signaling readiness to act should protests and violence persist. The US ambassador to the UN reiterated support for the Iranian people and cautioned that Tehran’s crackdown risks further escalation. The call for restraint from the UN secretary-general emphasized the risk of broader regional consequences if the current tensions intensify.
Meanwhile, in Gaza and the broader region, a significant policy development is underway as a US-backed technocratic committee is expected to assume responsibility for daily governance and reconstruction in Gaza. The 15-member body would manage humanitarian needs, rubble removal, water and sanitation, and other essential services, with figures such as Ali Shaath and Sami Nasman among its leadership. The arrangement follows a long-running effort to shift authority away from Hamas toward technocratic management, though observers caution that the pathway to effective governance and donor confidence remains fraught.
On the Israel-Lebanon front, the IDF reported strikes on Hezbollah weapons depots and related infrastructure in southern Lebanon and deeper in the country, asserting these sites were used to rebuild and prepare attacks against Israel. The army issued evacuation warnings for several border towns as it cited violations of ceasefire understandings. Lebanon has faced pressure from Washington and Jerusalem to disarm Hezbollah more rapidly, even as debates continue over the practicality and risks of pursuing a broader disarmament push.
Separately in Lebanon, authorities charged four individuals with alleged cooperation with Mossad in a case tied to the disappearance of a retired security officer linked to the Ron Arad case. The charges highlight enduring tensions around intelligence operations and cross-border security concerns in the region.
In the Gaza arena, reports continue of intensified Israeli activity in response to militant activity, with casualties and damage reported as operations unfold near populated areas. Palestinian officials warn that Hamas could attempt to reassert influence through parallel structures if reconstruction proceeds, though many observers view the path to durable governance in Gaza as challenging and dependent on sustained international involvement.
Turning to long-standing internal Israel issues, thousands gathered in Jerusalem to demand broader enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews in the IDF and to challenge ongoing exemptions. The demonstrations drew part
Yemen crowns Zindani as new PM
Israel rejects disciplinary bid against Amit
Gaza governance shifts to US-backed technocrats
The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good evening. This is your hourly briefing on the Middle East and related security developments.
In Yemen, the cabinet reshuffle moves forward as Prime Minister Salem bin Breik formally submitted his resignation and the presidential leadership council accepted it. Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen Zindani was named as the new prime minister and is expected to form the next government, a transition that comes amid Yemen’s continuing political realignment and the challenges of governance in the aftermath of conflict and division.
In Israel, the attorney general has rejected a disciplinary move against Chief Justice Isaac Amit, saying Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s bid lacked factual basis and legal validity. The dispute underscored ongoing tensions between political leadership and the judiciary, with implications for judicial independence and how political considerations may intersect with high court affairs. Levin has continued to push his case, arguing investigations and disciplinary steps remain essential to integrity in the judicial system.
At the United Nations, the United States said all options remain on the table to address the situation around Iran, signaling readiness to act should protests and violence persist. The US ambassador to the UN reiterated support for the Iranian people and cautioned that Tehran’s crackdown risks further escalation. The call for restraint from the UN secretary-general emphasized the risk of broader regional consequences if the current tensions intensify.
Meanwhile, in Gaza and the broader region, a significant policy development is underway as a US-backed technocratic committee is expected to assume responsibility for daily governance and reconstruction in Gaza. The 15-member body would manage humanitarian needs, rubble removal, water and sanitation, and other essential services, with figures such as Ali Shaath and Sami Nasman among its leadership. The arrangement follows a long-running effort to shift authority away from Hamas toward technocratic management, though observers caution that the pathway to effective governance and donor confidence remains fraught.
On the Israel-Lebanon front, the IDF reported strikes on Hezbollah weapons depots and related infrastructure in southern Lebanon and deeper in the country, asserting these sites were used to rebuild and prepare attacks against Israel. The army issued evacuation warnings for several border towns as it cited violations of ceasefire understandings. Lebanon has faced pressure from Washington and Jerusalem to disarm Hezbollah more rapidly, even as debates continue over the practicality and risks of pursuing a broader disarmament push.
Separately in Lebanon, authorities charged four individuals with alleged cooperation with Mossad in a case tied to the disappearance of a retired security officer linked to the Ron Arad case. The charges highlight enduring tensions around intelligence operations and cross-border security concerns in the region.
In the Gaza arena, reports continue of intensified Israeli activity in response to militant activity, with casualties and damage reported as operations unfold near populated areas. Palestinian officials warn that Hamas could attempt to reassert influence through parallel structures if reconstruction proceeds, though many observers view the path to durable governance in Gaza as challenging and dependent on sustained international involvement.
Turning to long-standing internal Israel issues, thousands gathered in Jerusalem to demand broader enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews in the IDF and to challenge ongoing exemptions. The demonstrations drew part