Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 09:08
Published 1 month ago
Description
HEADLINES
Netanya elects Avi Slama in first round
IDF escalates Gaza Lebanon operations evac warnings
France backs Greenland NATO drill amid tensions
The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the hourly news update at 4:00 AM. Good morning.
In Netanya, the Likud’s Avi Slama has won the mayoral race in the first round, defeating three rivals and moving to lead the city after 27 years under Miriam Feirberg-Ikar. Slama, 43, an economist and former banking executive who has served as a council member and opposition leader in recent years, pledged to be the mayor for all residents. In his victory remarks he honored the late Feirberg-Ikar and thanked his campaign team, his wife Maayan, and their children, saying the victory belongs to the city and promising to steer Netanya toward new achievements. Slama’s platform centers on refreshing the municipal system, improving transportation, boosting education, and increasing personal security, with a closing note that Netanya is a gem that should meet the demands of the 21st century.
Turning to Europe and the broader alliance landscape, France has requested a NATO exercise in Greenland and offered to contribute to it, a development that comes as President Emmanuel Macron pushes back against pressure from Washington over Greenland and as Donald Trump engages publicly with Davos. Macron, speaking in Davos, argued Europe will not bow to “bullies” while European leaders warn that Trump’s Greenland gambit could unsettled NATO unity. The dynamic underscores the ongoing friction in transatlantic relations at a moment of heightened security concerns across Europe and the Middle East.
In the region, the Israeli military reported an airstrike against a Hezbollah operative in southern Lebanon, in the Sidon area, citing repeated ceasefire violations. Separately, in Gaza, the IDF issued an evacuation warning in the southern Strip for residents around Al-Reqeb near Khan Younis—the first such leaflet drop since the October ceasefire. The army distributed warnings in Arabic, Hebrew, and English instructing residents to leave the area due to Israeli control of the region, while Gaza authorities said the military would not forcibly displace people. The IDF later announced other security movements in the area, with authorities describing the steps as warnings rather than relocations.
Across the border in Lebanon, the IDF also conducted operations in the wake of exchanges with Hezbollah, and reports continued of continued Israeli and allied actions along the border. In parallel, the IDF reported the interception of a drone attempting to smuggle a weapon system into Israel from the airspace near the Egyptian border, with the weapon reportedly identified as a MAG assault rifle and forwarded for investigation.
In Gaza, new battlefield reporting described a series of high-intensity engagements near the buffer zone, with Hamas positions struck by reserve troops as a breach near Rafah was cited by the army. The military characterized the operation as targeting Hamas capabilities along the border and disrupting regrouping efforts in what observers described as a potential precursor to renewed fighting. The attack reportedly included multiple strikes over a compressed time period, and the toll on militants was confirmed by Israeli officials.
In domestic Israeli news, the High Court and police-related matters occupied headlines. A central district court judge blocked the extension of restrictions on Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David, ruling that the measures in place last November did not have a legal basis to continue in full. Bar-David has been under investigation in a broad corruption inquiry that has touched unions, municipalities, and other public bodies, with prosecutors alleging bribery, fraud, and related offenses. He remains under cert
Netanya elects Avi Slama in first round
IDF escalates Gaza Lebanon operations evac warnings
France backs Greenland NATO drill amid tensions
The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the hourly news update at 4:00 AM. Good morning.
In Netanya, the Likud’s Avi Slama has won the mayoral race in the first round, defeating three rivals and moving to lead the city after 27 years under Miriam Feirberg-Ikar. Slama, 43, an economist and former banking executive who has served as a council member and opposition leader in recent years, pledged to be the mayor for all residents. In his victory remarks he honored the late Feirberg-Ikar and thanked his campaign team, his wife Maayan, and their children, saying the victory belongs to the city and promising to steer Netanya toward new achievements. Slama’s platform centers on refreshing the municipal system, improving transportation, boosting education, and increasing personal security, with a closing note that Netanya is a gem that should meet the demands of the 21st century.
Turning to Europe and the broader alliance landscape, France has requested a NATO exercise in Greenland and offered to contribute to it, a development that comes as President Emmanuel Macron pushes back against pressure from Washington over Greenland and as Donald Trump engages publicly with Davos. Macron, speaking in Davos, argued Europe will not bow to “bullies” while European leaders warn that Trump’s Greenland gambit could unsettled NATO unity. The dynamic underscores the ongoing friction in transatlantic relations at a moment of heightened security concerns across Europe and the Middle East.
In the region, the Israeli military reported an airstrike against a Hezbollah operative in southern Lebanon, in the Sidon area, citing repeated ceasefire violations. Separately, in Gaza, the IDF issued an evacuation warning in the southern Strip for residents around Al-Reqeb near Khan Younis—the first such leaflet drop since the October ceasefire. The army distributed warnings in Arabic, Hebrew, and English instructing residents to leave the area due to Israeli control of the region, while Gaza authorities said the military would not forcibly displace people. The IDF later announced other security movements in the area, with authorities describing the steps as warnings rather than relocations.
Across the border in Lebanon, the IDF also conducted operations in the wake of exchanges with Hezbollah, and reports continued of continued Israeli and allied actions along the border. In parallel, the IDF reported the interception of a drone attempting to smuggle a weapon system into Israel from the airspace near the Egyptian border, with the weapon reportedly identified as a MAG assault rifle and forwarded for investigation.
In Gaza, new battlefield reporting described a series of high-intensity engagements near the buffer zone, with Hamas positions struck by reserve troops as a breach near Rafah was cited by the army. The military characterized the operation as targeting Hamas capabilities along the border and disrupting regrouping efforts in what observers described as a potential precursor to renewed fighting. The attack reportedly included multiple strikes over a compressed time period, and the toll on militants was confirmed by Israeli officials.
In domestic Israeli news, the High Court and police-related matters occupied headlines. A central district court judge blocked the extension of restrictions on Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David, ruling that the measures in place last November did not have a legal basis to continue in full. Bar-David has been under investigation in a broad corruption inquiry that has touched unions, municipalities, and other public bodies, with prosecutors alleging bribery, fraud, and related offenses. He remains under cert