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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-22 at 16:06
Published 1 month ago
Description
HEADLINES
- Gaza peace board proposed to govern
- Drone smuggling attempt foiled at border
- Iran warns with finger on the trigger
The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. International attention remains focused on the evolving plans for Gaza’s future as Washington presses ahead with what is described as the Gaza Board of Peace. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump, with longtime adviser Jared Kushner, outlined a phased approach aimed at ending the war in Gaza and creating a governance framework for the Strip. The proposal contemplates a board largely led by American officials, with an executive committee that would include representatives from Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. A new Palestinian administration would oversee Gaza’s civilian affairs under US supervision, while a national committee for the administration of Gaza, or NCAG, would supervise policing and security functions as a bridge to a longer-term arrangement.
The plan centers on Hamas disarmament of heavy weapons, including rockets, missiles, and weaponized drones, and the potential ceding of much of Gaza’s tunnel network. It also envisions a pathway for some Hamas members to be integrated or reintegrated into a new Gaza police structure, potentially accompanied by amnesty or safe passage. Critics in Israel caution that regional involvement raises questions about verification, enforcement, and the scope of oversight; they say security guarantees must be airtight to prevent a power vacuum or renewed rocket fire. Israeli officials have signaled openness to dialogue but have stressed that any framework must preserve Israel’s fundamental security red lines and its ability to respond to threats.
On the ground, Israel’s security posture remains active. The IDF reports continued counterterrorism activity in Judea and Samaria and in the Hebron area, where forces conducted operations, searched buildings, and arrested suspects connected to ongoing threats. Weapons and equipment were seized as part of these efforts, which the army says are meant to prevent attacks and bolster civilian security in the settlements. In a related development, the IDF says a drone crossing into Israeli territory from the east attempted to smuggle weapons, including ten firearms, highlighting a growing risk from aerial smuggling as borders along Jordan and Egypt remain difficult to seal completely. Security officials warn that drones not only carry weapons but can be reused, making border protection a persistent challenge.
Across the region, Iran remains a pivotal factor in the regional security equation. At Davos, Tehran’s leadership warned that the Revolutionary Guards have a “finger on the trigger,” a signal viewed in Jerusalem and Washington as a forceful reminder of the risks surrounding any confrontation with Iran. At the same time, Iranian authorities released figures on protests that erupted after the country’s crackdown on dissent, a toll that rights groups dispute as lower than the real figure. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, speaking at Davos, suggested that the Iranian regime’s long-term future lies in change from within, a view shared by some Western observers who favor diplomatic engagement alongside pressure sanctions.
In the broader international arena, the discourse around Gaza and regional security includes questions about who should lead and how to balance regional actors’ roles with Western oversight. Some European partners have urged caution about inviting leaders from outside the traditional framework, while others emphasize the need for practical steps toward reconstruction and stability. The question that dominates discussions is whether a unified framework can be built that reduces Hamas’s capacity to threaten Israel while delivering meaningful governance, humanitarian r
- Gaza peace board proposed to govern
- Drone smuggling attempt foiled at border
- Iran warns with finger on the trigger
The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Good morning. International attention remains focused on the evolving plans for Gaza’s future as Washington presses ahead with what is described as the Gaza Board of Peace. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump, with longtime adviser Jared Kushner, outlined a phased approach aimed at ending the war in Gaza and creating a governance framework for the Strip. The proposal contemplates a board largely led by American officials, with an executive committee that would include representatives from Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. A new Palestinian administration would oversee Gaza’s civilian affairs under US supervision, while a national committee for the administration of Gaza, or NCAG, would supervise policing and security functions as a bridge to a longer-term arrangement.
The plan centers on Hamas disarmament of heavy weapons, including rockets, missiles, and weaponized drones, and the potential ceding of much of Gaza’s tunnel network. It also envisions a pathway for some Hamas members to be integrated or reintegrated into a new Gaza police structure, potentially accompanied by amnesty or safe passage. Critics in Israel caution that regional involvement raises questions about verification, enforcement, and the scope of oversight; they say security guarantees must be airtight to prevent a power vacuum or renewed rocket fire. Israeli officials have signaled openness to dialogue but have stressed that any framework must preserve Israel’s fundamental security red lines and its ability to respond to threats.
On the ground, Israel’s security posture remains active. The IDF reports continued counterterrorism activity in Judea and Samaria and in the Hebron area, where forces conducted operations, searched buildings, and arrested suspects connected to ongoing threats. Weapons and equipment were seized as part of these efforts, which the army says are meant to prevent attacks and bolster civilian security in the settlements. In a related development, the IDF says a drone crossing into Israeli territory from the east attempted to smuggle weapons, including ten firearms, highlighting a growing risk from aerial smuggling as borders along Jordan and Egypt remain difficult to seal completely. Security officials warn that drones not only carry weapons but can be reused, making border protection a persistent challenge.
Across the region, Iran remains a pivotal factor in the regional security equation. At Davos, Tehran’s leadership warned that the Revolutionary Guards have a “finger on the trigger,” a signal viewed in Jerusalem and Washington as a forceful reminder of the risks surrounding any confrontation with Iran. At the same time, Iranian authorities released figures on protests that erupted after the country’s crackdown on dissent, a toll that rights groups dispute as lower than the real figure. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, speaking at Davos, suggested that the Iranian regime’s long-term future lies in change from within, a view shared by some Western observers who favor diplomatic engagement alongside pressure sanctions.
In the broader international arena, the discourse around Gaza and regional security includes questions about who should lead and how to balance regional actors’ roles with Western oversight. Some European partners have urged caution about inviting leaders from outside the traditional framework, while others emphasize the need for practical steps toward reconstruction and stability. The question that dominates discussions is whether a unified framework can be built that reduces Hamas’s capacity to threaten Israel while delivering meaningful governance, humanitarian r