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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-16 at 01:07
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
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HEADLINES
Israel extradites UTrade fraud suspect Roy Cuzin
Graham to visit Israel meet Netanyahu
Trump forms Board of Peace for Gaza
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This hour’s update begins with a notable development in Israel’s fight against investor fraud. Mexican authorities have extradited Roy Cuzin to Israel in connection with the UTrade binary options scheme. Cuzin, who served as chief analyst at UTrade from 2012 to 2015 under Aviv Talmor, is accused of helping drive a fraud that raised tens of millions of shekels from about six hundred clients through false representations about risks, potential returns, and past performance, while masking a real conflict of interest between the company and its clients. Prosecutors say client funds were used for purposes beyond trading, and that by 2015 the operation no longer could meet promised payments. Cuzin was questioned in 2016, left the country, and an indictment was filed in 2018; Talmor was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Cuzin moved between several countries after leaving Israel and was arrested in Mexico in July. His extradition was approved last month. Israel’s Securities Authority is continuing its investigation into the matter.
In Washington, a visit is on the horizon that underscores growing attention to Israel’s security and regional stability. United States Senator Lindsey Graham has confirmed plans to travel to Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a moment many view as pivotal for the region. Graham has described the visit as an effort to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the United States and Israel and to express support for the people who are striving for freedom amid regional volatility. His comments reflect a broader pattern of public engagement from a bloc of United States lawmakers who emphasize a robust security and diplomatic alignment with Israel.
On the diplomatic and policy front in the United States, President Donald Trump announced that a Board of Peace has been formed to oversee a postwar Gaza administration. The former president posted on Truth Social that the board is “formed,” with the expectation that the members would be announced soon. This marks a step in Washington’s effort to define governance arrangements for Gaza as part of a broader peace and stabilization framework, while seeking to coordinate international support.
Meanwhile, discussions about Iran continue to shape security calculations in the region. United States officials have told The Wall Street Journal that a large-scale strike against Iran would be unlikely to topple the Islamic Republic and could trigger a broader conflict, even as some actions could bolster morale among protesters. Officials say the United States would require additional military assets to protect American forces and regional allies, including Israel, if Tehran were to retaliate. At the same time, Washington has signaled that all options remain on the table in its stance toward Iran, while continuing to urge restraint amid ongoing demonstrations in the country. The situation remains fluid, with allies watching closely for any change in Tehran’s response to domestic unrest.
At the United Nations Security Council, the United States voiced support for Iranian protesters and called for restraint, while Tehran rejected charges of foreign interference. Russia criticized the move as interference and urged against escalation, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged maximum restraint and urged all actors to avoid actions that could widen the conflict. The international community’s posture underscores the risk of broader confrontation in a moment when regional tensions are already high and external powers are weighing possible responses.
In related developments, Venezuelan opposition fi
Israel extradites UTrade fraud suspect Roy Cuzin
Graham to visit Israel meet Netanyahu
Trump forms Board of Peace for Gaza
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This hour’s update begins with a notable development in Israel’s fight against investor fraud. Mexican authorities have extradited Roy Cuzin to Israel in connection with the UTrade binary options scheme. Cuzin, who served as chief analyst at UTrade from 2012 to 2015 under Aviv Talmor, is accused of helping drive a fraud that raised tens of millions of shekels from about six hundred clients through false representations about risks, potential returns, and past performance, while masking a real conflict of interest between the company and its clients. Prosecutors say client funds were used for purposes beyond trading, and that by 2015 the operation no longer could meet promised payments. Cuzin was questioned in 2016, left the country, and an indictment was filed in 2018; Talmor was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Cuzin moved between several countries after leaving Israel and was arrested in Mexico in July. His extradition was approved last month. Israel’s Securities Authority is continuing its investigation into the matter.
In Washington, a visit is on the horizon that underscores growing attention to Israel’s security and regional stability. United States Senator Lindsey Graham has confirmed plans to travel to Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a moment many view as pivotal for the region. Graham has described the visit as an effort to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the United States and Israel and to express support for the people who are striving for freedom amid regional volatility. His comments reflect a broader pattern of public engagement from a bloc of United States lawmakers who emphasize a robust security and diplomatic alignment with Israel.
On the diplomatic and policy front in the United States, President Donald Trump announced that a Board of Peace has been formed to oversee a postwar Gaza administration. The former president posted on Truth Social that the board is “formed,” with the expectation that the members would be announced soon. This marks a step in Washington’s effort to define governance arrangements for Gaza as part of a broader peace and stabilization framework, while seeking to coordinate international support.
Meanwhile, discussions about Iran continue to shape security calculations in the region. United States officials have told The Wall Street Journal that a large-scale strike against Iran would be unlikely to topple the Islamic Republic and could trigger a broader conflict, even as some actions could bolster morale among protesters. Officials say the United States would require additional military assets to protect American forces and regional allies, including Israel, if Tehran were to retaliate. At the same time, Washington has signaled that all options remain on the table in its stance toward Iran, while continuing to urge restraint amid ongoing demonstrations in the country. The situation remains fluid, with allies watching closely for any change in Tehran’s response to domestic unrest.
At the United Nations Security Council, the United States voiced support for Iranian protesters and called for restraint, while Tehran rejected charges of foreign interference. Russia criticized the move as interference and urged against escalation, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged maximum restraint and urged all actors to avoid actions that could widen the conflict. The international community’s posture underscores the risk of broader confrontation in a moment when regional tensions are already high and external powers are weighing possible responses.
In related developments, Venezuelan opposition fi