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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 18:07
Published 1 month ago
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HEADLINES
Israel expands HPV self-sampling cervical cancer screening
Israel strikes Hezbollah depot in southern Lebanon
Iran protests: thousands dead in crackdown
The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is your hourly news update. In Israel, a health technology milestone is expanding access to cervical cancer screening as LEM Laboratory, part of the Mor Institute Group and affiliated with Clalit, reports a milestone in HPV testing that identifies 14 high‑risk strains and includes a self‑sampling option. The test is designed to guide follow‑up care and to broaden participation beyond women who regularly visit gynecologists. LEM says the platform is prepared for large‑scale screening and notes its status as Israel’s largest pathology testing facility, performing roughly half a million biopsies a year. A negative result is typically reported within about a week, and positive results lead to further evaluation and Pap testing as directed by a gynecologist. The program began offering self‑sampling about a year ago in cooperation with Clalit’s Southern District, and officials say expansion to additional locations nationwide is planned. The health community emphasizes vaccination and early detection as key to reducing cervical cancer risk, and public campaigns highlight screening alongside immunization. In another medical development, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Campus reports what researchers call “groundbreaking” progress in prostate cancer treatment: two radiation doses may soon replace the traditional five‑to‑six‑week regimen for localized disease. Led by Dr. Elisha Fredman, the studies involve more than 100 participants and aim to maintain effectiveness while reducing treatments and preserving quality of life. Early patient experiences describe meaningful tumor regression with the shorter course, though researchers caution that broader validation is needed before changes become standard practice.
On the security front, the Israeli military announced additional strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and a weapons depot that was described as stored within civilian areas. Officials say the operations are part of ongoing efforts to remove threats along the border, with prior strikes this week underscoring a continuing cycle of cross‑border tension and contingency planning. The Israeli defense establishment stresses the aim of neutralizing capabilities while attempting to minimize civilian harm through precision strikes, warnings, and intelligence surface‑to‑air coordination.
Turning to transport and public life, Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Israeli airlines are prepared to relocate fleets if missiles threaten Ben‑Gurion Airport, recounting past evacuations during the June conflict and noting readiness to move planes to safe locations if required. The country’s airlines—El Al, Arkia, Israir and others—own a combined fleet of around 85 aircraft, and officials stress that normal operations would resume quickly if evacuation becomes necessary.
In the capital, police have loosened Temple Mount prayer restrictions for Jewish visitors. A new policy allows entry with a single, pre‑distributed prayer page at the entrance, while personal prayer books and ritual items remain restricted. The policy change comes as Israel seeks to ease long‑standing tensions at the site, where non‑Muslim visits have historically been allowed but official prayer was limited. Community groups report that tens of thousands of Jewish visitors have ascended the site in recent years, with the latest figures indicating a notable year‑over‑year rise.
Israel’s domestic debate on early childhood care intensified in the wake of a tragic, unlicensed daycare incident in Jerusalem’s Romema neighborhood. Data from 2022 show substantial gaps in 0–3 education coverage, with many young child
Israel expands HPV self-sampling cervical cancer screening
Israel strikes Hezbollah depot in southern Lebanon
Iran protests: thousands dead in crackdown
The time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is your hourly news update. In Israel, a health technology milestone is expanding access to cervical cancer screening as LEM Laboratory, part of the Mor Institute Group and affiliated with Clalit, reports a milestone in HPV testing that identifies 14 high‑risk strains and includes a self‑sampling option. The test is designed to guide follow‑up care and to broaden participation beyond women who regularly visit gynecologists. LEM says the platform is prepared for large‑scale screening and notes its status as Israel’s largest pathology testing facility, performing roughly half a million biopsies a year. A negative result is typically reported within about a week, and positive results lead to further evaluation and Pap testing as directed by a gynecologist. The program began offering self‑sampling about a year ago in cooperation with Clalit’s Southern District, and officials say expansion to additional locations nationwide is planned. The health community emphasizes vaccination and early detection as key to reducing cervical cancer risk, and public campaigns highlight screening alongside immunization. In another medical development, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Campus reports what researchers call “groundbreaking” progress in prostate cancer treatment: two radiation doses may soon replace the traditional five‑to‑six‑week regimen for localized disease. Led by Dr. Elisha Fredman, the studies involve more than 100 participants and aim to maintain effectiveness while reducing treatments and preserving quality of life. Early patient experiences describe meaningful tumor regression with the shorter course, though researchers caution that broader validation is needed before changes become standard practice.
On the security front, the Israeli military announced additional strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and a weapons depot that was described as stored within civilian areas. Officials say the operations are part of ongoing efforts to remove threats along the border, with prior strikes this week underscoring a continuing cycle of cross‑border tension and contingency planning. The Israeli defense establishment stresses the aim of neutralizing capabilities while attempting to minimize civilian harm through precision strikes, warnings, and intelligence surface‑to‑air coordination.
Turning to transport and public life, Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Israeli airlines are prepared to relocate fleets if missiles threaten Ben‑Gurion Airport, recounting past evacuations during the June conflict and noting readiness to move planes to safe locations if required. The country’s airlines—El Al, Arkia, Israir and others—own a combined fleet of around 85 aircraft, and officials stress that normal operations would resume quickly if evacuation becomes necessary.
In the capital, police have loosened Temple Mount prayer restrictions for Jewish visitors. A new policy allows entry with a single, pre‑distributed prayer page at the entrance, while personal prayer books and ritual items remain restricted. The policy change comes as Israel seeks to ease long‑standing tensions at the site, where non‑Muslim visits have historically been allowed but official prayer was limited. Community groups report that tens of thousands of Jewish visitors have ascended the site in recent years, with the latest figures indicating a notable year‑over‑year rise.
Israel’s domestic debate on early childhood care intensified in the wake of a tragic, unlicensed daycare incident in Jerusalem’s Romema neighborhood. Data from 2022 show substantial gaps in 0–3 education coverage, with many young child