Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-22 at 12:06
Published 1 month ago
Description
HEADLINES
Reservist dies as Gaza war toll climbs
Israel strikes border crossings near Hermel
Rafah reopening tied to hostage return talks
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the hour’s international briefing from the Middle East. At the center of events, Israeli security and regional dynamics remain tightly interwoven with political developments across Europe and the United States, as governments and publics evaluate the implications of ongoing conflict, diplomacy, and security challenges.
In Israel, the military reported the death of a reservist, Sergeant-Major (Res.) Asael Babad, 38, who was severely injured during combat in Rafah on October 19 of last year. The IDF said he died on Wednesday night from wounds sustained in that engagement. Babad, a combat fighter in the 941st Battalion of the Menashe Regional Brigade, was from Geva Binyamin and leaves behind a wife, Hagit, and five children; his funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Mount Herzl. Israel’s official tally places the total combat fatalities since the war’s major milestones among Israeli forces at 924, with roughly 471 soldiers and reservists killed since the start of the ground operation in Gaza on October 27. The death adds to a difficult accounting for the Israel Defense Forces as it seeks to defend border areas and maintain security amid ongoing Gaza-related operations.
Across the region, Israeli air power has been active along its borders. The Israel Defense Forces said it struck four border crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border near Hermel, targeting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah’s weapons smuggling networks. The strikes, part of a broader effort to disrupt weapons routes, reportedly killed two senior operatives tied to procurement networks. Israel’s military posture along the Syria-Lebanon front continues to be shaped by the dual aim of deterring Hezbollah and preventing attacks that could draw Israel deeper into hostilities with Gaza.
In Washington, President Joe Biden’s administration has continued to emphasize security and stability in the region, while US allies weigh political and humanitarian implications of the Gaza war, the Iranian challenge, and ongoing counterterrorism operations. US policy discussions remain focused on deterring aggression, preventing mass escalations, and coordinating with regional partners on humanitarian access and civilian protection in Gaza, as well as on countering extremist networks.
Rafah crossings and hostage issues also figured prominently in recent diplomatic exchanges. Palestinian technocratic leadership, led by Ali Shaath in Davos, said the Rafah crossing with Egypt is set to reopen next week, signaling continued efforts to ease flow at Gaza’s principal border crossing. At the same time, Israel has insisted that any reopening be conditioned on the return of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, before broader steps are taken in the broader peace process. Separate reports note discussions around a broader framework for Gaza that would involve arms disclosures and tunnel maps from Hamas, though Israeli officials have voiced objections to proposals that would leave Hamas politically intact or empowered.
In parallel, a cluster of developments in Europe and beyond highlights the international dimension of antisemitism and security. In Spain, observers report a stark shift in sentiment since October 7, 2023, with antisemitic incidents rising markedly and public rhetoric that some view as blurring the lines between political criticism of Israel and antisemitism. Spain’s Jewish community, numbering around 50,000, has grown increasingly concerned about state conduct and political rhetoric. Activists and Jewish leaders point to IHRA definitions of antisemitism in assessing the line between legitimate political debate and antisemitic expressions, noting
Reservist dies as Gaza war toll climbs
Israel strikes border crossings near Hermel
Rafah reopening tied to hostage return talks
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is the hour’s international briefing from the Middle East. At the center of events, Israeli security and regional dynamics remain tightly interwoven with political developments across Europe and the United States, as governments and publics evaluate the implications of ongoing conflict, diplomacy, and security challenges.
In Israel, the military reported the death of a reservist, Sergeant-Major (Res.) Asael Babad, 38, who was severely injured during combat in Rafah on October 19 of last year. The IDF said he died on Wednesday night from wounds sustained in that engagement. Babad, a combat fighter in the 941st Battalion of the Menashe Regional Brigade, was from Geva Binyamin and leaves behind a wife, Hagit, and five children; his funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Mount Herzl. Israel’s official tally places the total combat fatalities since the war’s major milestones among Israeli forces at 924, with roughly 471 soldiers and reservists killed since the start of the ground operation in Gaza on October 27. The death adds to a difficult accounting for the Israel Defense Forces as it seeks to defend border areas and maintain security amid ongoing Gaza-related operations.
Across the region, Israeli air power has been active along its borders. The Israel Defense Forces said it struck four border crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border near Hermel, targeting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah’s weapons smuggling networks. The strikes, part of a broader effort to disrupt weapons routes, reportedly killed two senior operatives tied to procurement networks. Israel’s military posture along the Syria-Lebanon front continues to be shaped by the dual aim of deterring Hezbollah and preventing attacks that could draw Israel deeper into hostilities with Gaza.
In Washington, President Joe Biden’s administration has continued to emphasize security and stability in the region, while US allies weigh political and humanitarian implications of the Gaza war, the Iranian challenge, and ongoing counterterrorism operations. US policy discussions remain focused on deterring aggression, preventing mass escalations, and coordinating with regional partners on humanitarian access and civilian protection in Gaza, as well as on countering extremist networks.
Rafah crossings and hostage issues also figured prominently in recent diplomatic exchanges. Palestinian technocratic leadership, led by Ali Shaath in Davos, said the Rafah crossing with Egypt is set to reopen next week, signaling continued efforts to ease flow at Gaza’s principal border crossing. At the same time, Israel has insisted that any reopening be conditioned on the return of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, before broader steps are taken in the broader peace process. Separate reports note discussions around a broader framework for Gaza that would involve arms disclosures and tunnel maps from Hamas, though Israeli officials have voiced objections to proposals that would leave Hamas politically intact or empowered.
In parallel, a cluster of developments in Europe and beyond highlights the international dimension of antisemitism and security. In Spain, observers report a stark shift in sentiment since October 7, 2023, with antisemitic incidents rising markedly and public rhetoric that some view as blurring the lines between political criticism of Israel and antisemitism. Spain’s Jewish community, numbering around 50,000, has grown increasingly concerned about state conduct and political rhetoric. Activists and Jewish leaders point to IHRA definitions of antisemitism in assessing the line between legitimate political debate and antisemitic expressions, noting