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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 01:07
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
Description
HEADLINES
Israel braces for Iran with deterrence plan
Gaza Board of Peace sparks global diplomacy
US strikes ISIS leader tied to Palmyra
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 8:00 PM, here is the latest from the Middle East and related global developments that shape the region’s security and political landscape, with the perspectives of Israeli officials and Jewish communities kept front and center for an international audience.
In Israel, attention is focused on the tensions surrounding Iran and the security response. Prime Minister Netanyahu is slated to convene the small security cabinet at 10:00 AM local time to address the latest reporting on Iran and the potential implications for Israel’s deterrence posture. The government faces a complex calculus: how to preserve strategic deterrence and regional stability while minimizing civilian harm and maintaining broad international support. Israeli officials have long warned that Iran seeks to advance its nuclear and regional reach, and they stress the need for credible, capable defense and proactive planning. The cabinet meeting is being watched closely by security experts and international partners as a signal of how Israel intends to balance escalation risks with efforts to prevent broader conflict.
On the diplomatic and political front, the Gaza Board of Peace, a US-led initiative described as an international body to promote stability, governance, and disarmament efforts in Gaza, has generated considerable attention. A draft charter reported by Bloomberg describes a structure whereby member states would serve terms of up to three years, with some nations potentially eligible for accelerated entry if they contribute substantial cash funds in the first year. The White House confirmed the involvement of senior US figures in the board’s founding. Reuters and other outlets note that more than 60 countries were invited to participate, with discussions continuing about the board’s mandate, governance, and funding, including questions about how such a body would interact with on-the-ground reconstruction and security arrangements in Gaza and with Hamas. European capitals have urged caution, emphasizing that any mechanism must advance durable stability and respect for regional sovereignty, while avoiding steps that could complicate existing international efforts or civilian protection.
Across the border in Syria, the United States reported a notable counterterrorism operation. CENTCOM announced that a Friday airstrike in the country’s northwest killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, described as an experienced terrorist leader connected to the ISIS gunman who attacked American personnel in Palmyra in December. The strike was part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, an escalation following last month’s large-scale attacks by US and allied forces against ISIS targets in Syria. CENTCOM also noted that more than 300 ISIS fighters have been captured and about 20 killed in the past year as local forces and international partners sustain pressure on ISIS networks in the country. The Syrian government, which has reasserted its authority in several regions through a coalition of former rebels and elements linked to previous al-Qaeda affiliates, continues to cooperate with the US-led coalition in the fight against ISIS in certain areas, while the broader conflict remains volatile and regionally fluid.
In the broader Western alliance, President Trump’s push regarding Greenland has drawn wide attention and sharp reaction. The administration has floated tariffs aimed at European Union members to push for a deal that would allow the United States to purchase Greenland, a stance that has unsettled many NATO allies. Reports describe a plan that would start with tariffs on certain European goods and potentially rise to higher rates unless a settlement is reached. Eu
Israel braces for Iran with deterrence plan
Gaza Board of Peace sparks global diplomacy
US strikes ISIS leader tied to Palmyra
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
At 8:00 PM, here is the latest from the Middle East and related global developments that shape the region’s security and political landscape, with the perspectives of Israeli officials and Jewish communities kept front and center for an international audience.
In Israel, attention is focused on the tensions surrounding Iran and the security response. Prime Minister Netanyahu is slated to convene the small security cabinet at 10:00 AM local time to address the latest reporting on Iran and the potential implications for Israel’s deterrence posture. The government faces a complex calculus: how to preserve strategic deterrence and regional stability while minimizing civilian harm and maintaining broad international support. Israeli officials have long warned that Iran seeks to advance its nuclear and regional reach, and they stress the need for credible, capable defense and proactive planning. The cabinet meeting is being watched closely by security experts and international partners as a signal of how Israel intends to balance escalation risks with efforts to prevent broader conflict.
On the diplomatic and political front, the Gaza Board of Peace, a US-led initiative described as an international body to promote stability, governance, and disarmament efforts in Gaza, has generated considerable attention. A draft charter reported by Bloomberg describes a structure whereby member states would serve terms of up to three years, with some nations potentially eligible for accelerated entry if they contribute substantial cash funds in the first year. The White House confirmed the involvement of senior US figures in the board’s founding. Reuters and other outlets note that more than 60 countries were invited to participate, with discussions continuing about the board’s mandate, governance, and funding, including questions about how such a body would interact with on-the-ground reconstruction and security arrangements in Gaza and with Hamas. European capitals have urged caution, emphasizing that any mechanism must advance durable stability and respect for regional sovereignty, while avoiding steps that could complicate existing international efforts or civilian protection.
Across the border in Syria, the United States reported a notable counterterrorism operation. CENTCOM announced that a Friday airstrike in the country’s northwest killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, described as an experienced terrorist leader connected to the ISIS gunman who attacked American personnel in Palmyra in December. The strike was part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, an escalation following last month’s large-scale attacks by US and allied forces against ISIS targets in Syria. CENTCOM also noted that more than 300 ISIS fighters have been captured and about 20 killed in the past year as local forces and international partners sustain pressure on ISIS networks in the country. The Syrian government, which has reasserted its authority in several regions through a coalition of former rebels and elements linked to previous al-Qaeda affiliates, continues to cooperate with the US-led coalition in the fight against ISIS in certain areas, while the broader conflict remains volatile and regionally fluid.
In the broader Western alliance, President Trump’s push regarding Greenland has drawn wide attention and sharp reaction. The administration has floated tariffs aimed at European Union members to push for a deal that would allow the United States to purchase Greenland, a stance that has unsettled many NATO allies. Reports describe a plan that would start with tariffs on certain European goods and potentially rise to higher rates unless a settlement is reached. Eu