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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-20 at 01:05
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
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HEADLINES
Iran to restore internet by week’s end
1500 ISIS inmates escape Shaddadi prison
Kurdish authorities brought under Syrian government control
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good evening. Here is your 8:00 PM update on the region’s leading developments.
In Iran, officials say nationwide internet service is set to return by Friday, the end of the week in Iran’s calendar. Hossein Afshin, the vice president for science, technology and knowledge-based economy, told Tasnim News Agency that by order of the president, access would be restored from today to tomorrow and no later than the end of the week. He added that fixed IPs are being considered for large companies, though the Human Rights Activists in Iran organization argues that this solution falls short of restoring meaningful access and that the regime’s overall digital policy risks continuing disruption to service cycles and the broader economy. The HRA warned that even a restoration of connectivity may not bring back conditions as they were, and noted that reconnecting foreign platforms remains uncertain. The internet blackout began on January 8 at about 8:30 p.m. amid widespread nationwide protests against the regime.
In Syria, a report drawing on Reuters from Rudaw says that some 1,500 Islamic State prisoners escaped from a prison in Shaddadi in the country’s northeast, a development that compounds regional security concerns as authorities struggle to contain militant activity.
Across the border in Lebanon, the Israeli military said it carried out a third set of strikes in a single day against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, in response to what it described as Hezbollah ceasefire violations. The army said the strikes targeted a series of military structures used for drills and training, as well as tunnel shafts used for storing weapons, and launch sites. It stressed that these sites were being used to advance attacks against Israeli troops and the state.
In Syria’s broader conflict zone, a development that could influence the Turkey-PKK dynamic emerged as Damascus and the Kurdish-led SDF agreed to bring Kurdish authorities under the control of the Syrian government. Turkish officials suggested the deal could pave the way for renewed momentum in Turkey’s long-running peace process with the PKK, though the PKK itself had not issued a public comment by late Monday. An AK Party spokesman said the Syrian government’s advances had “thwarted” Kurdish efforts, while another deputy leader from the government-aligned MHP party said the agreement could have a favorable impact and ease obstacles to the peace process. Analysts cautioned that the arrangement would alter the Kurdish autonomy landscape and have implications for security along Turkey’s border.
In aviation news, Lufthansa announced it would not operate flights to or from Iran through March 29, a development noted as it intersects with broader regional tensions and scheduling considerations.
Back in Israel, authorities reported the arrest of the owner and a caregiver at an unauthorized daycare in Jerusalem’s Romema neighborhood after two babies died and 55 others were hospitalized. An autopsy was approved by the court, though families and some ultranationalist groups protested the decision. Police described Monday night demonstrations as unlawful and moved to disperse crowds, citing dangerous activity including throwing objects, fires and traffic disruption. Health officials suggested the two fatalities and the hospitalized children likely suffered from respiratory distress linked to environmental factors at the site.
In a related regional exchange, Iran’s parliamentary leadership renewed a pointed and confrontational tone toward the United States, with lawmakers referring to US President Donald Trump as “Pharaoh” and to Su
Iran to restore internet by week’s end
1500 ISIS inmates escape Shaddadi prison
Kurdish authorities brought under Syrian government control
The time is now 8:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good evening. Here is your 8:00 PM update on the region’s leading developments.
In Iran, officials say nationwide internet service is set to return by Friday, the end of the week in Iran’s calendar. Hossein Afshin, the vice president for science, technology and knowledge-based economy, told Tasnim News Agency that by order of the president, access would be restored from today to tomorrow and no later than the end of the week. He added that fixed IPs are being considered for large companies, though the Human Rights Activists in Iran organization argues that this solution falls short of restoring meaningful access and that the regime’s overall digital policy risks continuing disruption to service cycles and the broader economy. The HRA warned that even a restoration of connectivity may not bring back conditions as they were, and noted that reconnecting foreign platforms remains uncertain. The internet blackout began on January 8 at about 8:30 p.m. amid widespread nationwide protests against the regime.
In Syria, a report drawing on Reuters from Rudaw says that some 1,500 Islamic State prisoners escaped from a prison in Shaddadi in the country’s northeast, a development that compounds regional security concerns as authorities struggle to contain militant activity.
Across the border in Lebanon, the Israeli military said it carried out a third set of strikes in a single day against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, in response to what it described as Hezbollah ceasefire violations. The army said the strikes targeted a series of military structures used for drills and training, as well as tunnel shafts used for storing weapons, and launch sites. It stressed that these sites were being used to advance attacks against Israeli troops and the state.
In Syria’s broader conflict zone, a development that could influence the Turkey-PKK dynamic emerged as Damascus and the Kurdish-led SDF agreed to bring Kurdish authorities under the control of the Syrian government. Turkish officials suggested the deal could pave the way for renewed momentum in Turkey’s long-running peace process with the PKK, though the PKK itself had not issued a public comment by late Monday. An AK Party spokesman said the Syrian government’s advances had “thwarted” Kurdish efforts, while another deputy leader from the government-aligned MHP party said the agreement could have a favorable impact and ease obstacles to the peace process. Analysts cautioned that the arrangement would alter the Kurdish autonomy landscape and have implications for security along Turkey’s border.
In aviation news, Lufthansa announced it would not operate flights to or from Iran through March 29, a development noted as it intersects with broader regional tensions and scheduling considerations.
Back in Israel, authorities reported the arrest of the owner and a caregiver at an unauthorized daycare in Jerusalem’s Romema neighborhood after two babies died and 55 others were hospitalized. An autopsy was approved by the court, though families and some ultranationalist groups protested the decision. Police described Monday night demonstrations as unlawful and moved to disperse crowds, citing dangerous activity including throwing objects, fires and traffic disruption. Health officials suggested the two fatalities and the hospitalized children likely suffered from respiratory distress linked to environmental factors at the site.
In a related regional exchange, Iran’s parliamentary leadership renewed a pointed and confrontational tone toward the United States, with lawmakers referring to US President Donald Trump as “Pharaoh” and to Su