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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-23 at 16:06
Published 1 month ago
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HEADLINES
- Jerusalem Daycare Trauma: Toxic Exposure Fears
- U.S. Shifts CENTCOM HQ To Jordan
- Rafah Crossing Debates Entry Screening
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. This is the 11:00 AM update on the Middle East and the broader security and policy environment shaping the region for an international audience.
In Jerusalem, emergency responders faced a trauma-filled day at a Romema daycare, where United Hatzalah teams treated several children and managed a potential environmental threat while families waited for reunification. The organization’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit provided reassurance and support to anxious parents, with responders shifting as the situation evolved. First responders faced a chaotic scene as they treated children who were later assessed for possible toxic exposure, required rapid relocation for safety, and relied on a coordinated relay system to verify reunifications with hospitals and families. The incident underscored the gravity of on-site medical response and the role of psychosocial care in the immediate aftermath, including culturally fluent teams deployed to meet diverse family needs and to help prevent long-term stress reactions.
Regionally, the security landscape remains fluid as US military posture in the Middle East evolves in response to Iran-related threats. US Central Command has moved its regional operational hub to Jordan in the event of broader conflict with Iran, reflecting a planning perspective aimed at rapid response options in a volatile theater. Washington has also signaled sanctions threats aimed at senior Iraqi politicians should Iran-backed armed groups enter Iraq’s next governing arrangement, a move designed to curb Iranian influence while preserving Iraqi sovereignty. Officials stress that the aim is to deter militias pursuing malign agendas and to protect critical energy revenue channels, though the policy carries potential spillover effects for Iraqi political dynamics and regional stability.
On the humanitarian front, debate continues over Gaza’s Rafah crossing. Israeli officials have signaled a preference for limiting the number of Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt with the objective of maximizing departures rather than entries, even as a crossing is anticipated to open in the near term. Reports indicate Israel may seek to staff a border checkpoint inside Gaza to screen movement in and out, a measure that would be monitored by international actors. The question remains how such controls would be implemented alongside humanitarian access and the needs of the more than two million residents in Gaza, a balance that is central to the broader ceasefire and reconstruction discussion.
In the West Bank, UNRWA has warned that the Qalandiya Training Center—an institution serving hundreds of young Palestinians with skills such as plumbing and vehicle maintenance—could be shut shortly due to land expropriation. The potential closure would disrupt the education and economic opportunities for a large cohort of Palestine refugees, prompting concern from international bodies about broader implications for regional stability and the right to education.
Iranian-related tensions remain a core driver of the regional tempo. At Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Tehran’s crackdown on protests, noting that thousands have died and alleging that the regime’s grip endures despite international calls for restraint. Iranian authorities dispute those numbers and point to violence by rioters, while rights groups estimate a toll that could be much higher, hindered by an extended internet outage. The broader dynamic includes Tehran’s contested role in supplying weapons and support in other theaters, alongside Iran’s public lines about self-defense and deterrence in the face of external pre
- Jerusalem Daycare Trauma: Toxic Exposure Fears
- U.S. Shifts CENTCOM HQ To Jordan
- Rafah Crossing Debates Entry Screening
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. This is the 11:00 AM update on the Middle East and the broader security and policy environment shaping the region for an international audience.
In Jerusalem, emergency responders faced a trauma-filled day at a Romema daycare, where United Hatzalah teams treated several children and managed a potential environmental threat while families waited for reunification. The organization’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit provided reassurance and support to anxious parents, with responders shifting as the situation evolved. First responders faced a chaotic scene as they treated children who were later assessed for possible toxic exposure, required rapid relocation for safety, and relied on a coordinated relay system to verify reunifications with hospitals and families. The incident underscored the gravity of on-site medical response and the role of psychosocial care in the immediate aftermath, including culturally fluent teams deployed to meet diverse family needs and to help prevent long-term stress reactions.
Regionally, the security landscape remains fluid as US military posture in the Middle East evolves in response to Iran-related threats. US Central Command has moved its regional operational hub to Jordan in the event of broader conflict with Iran, reflecting a planning perspective aimed at rapid response options in a volatile theater. Washington has also signaled sanctions threats aimed at senior Iraqi politicians should Iran-backed armed groups enter Iraq’s next governing arrangement, a move designed to curb Iranian influence while preserving Iraqi sovereignty. Officials stress that the aim is to deter militias pursuing malign agendas and to protect critical energy revenue channels, though the policy carries potential spillover effects for Iraqi political dynamics and regional stability.
On the humanitarian front, debate continues over Gaza’s Rafah crossing. Israeli officials have signaled a preference for limiting the number of Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt with the objective of maximizing departures rather than entries, even as a crossing is anticipated to open in the near term. Reports indicate Israel may seek to staff a border checkpoint inside Gaza to screen movement in and out, a measure that would be monitored by international actors. The question remains how such controls would be implemented alongside humanitarian access and the needs of the more than two million residents in Gaza, a balance that is central to the broader ceasefire and reconstruction discussion.
In the West Bank, UNRWA has warned that the Qalandiya Training Center—an institution serving hundreds of young Palestinians with skills such as plumbing and vehicle maintenance—could be shut shortly due to land expropriation. The potential closure would disrupt the education and economic opportunities for a large cohort of Palestine refugees, prompting concern from international bodies about broader implications for regional stability and the right to education.
Iranian-related tensions remain a core driver of the regional tempo. At Davos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Tehran’s crackdown on protests, noting that thousands have died and alleging that the regime’s grip endures despite international calls for restraint. Iranian authorities dispute those numbers and point to violence by rioters, while rights groups estimate a toll that could be much higher, hindered by an extended internet outage. The broader dynamic includes Tehran’s contested role in supplying weapons and support in other theaters, alongside Iran’s public lines about self-defense and deterrence in the face of external pre