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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-28 at 12:06
Published 1 month ago
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HEADLINES
Pope urges end to antisemitism worldwide
Court weighs Army Radio closure
Ran Gvili funeral honors last Gaza hostage
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Pope Leo used the international Holocaust Remembrance Day week to appeal for a world free of antisemitism, telling the Vatican audience that he seeks “a world with no more antisemitism” and urging leaders to stay vigilant so the horror of genocide never returns. The remarks come as the Catholic Church continues a yearslong effort to strengthen relations with Judaism, including ongoing dialogue and commitments to combat antisemitism on multiple fronts.
In Israel, the court heard the government’s case to shutter Army Radio, a decision announced in December. Five petitioners joined the first formal hearing before the Supreme Court as Justices considered whether the government overstepped authority. The state argues the move, backed by a professional committee’s findings, fits its prerogative and that the station’s public funding should end as it no longer aligns with official policy. The court order that temporarily blocked March 1 closure remains in effect as the legal process unfolds, and prosecutors in the case have raised concerns about proper authority and precedent in such steps.
Meanwhile in Meitar, thousands gathered to honor St.-Sergeant-Major Ran Gvili, the last hostage returned from Gaza after the war triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack. His funeral capped a national vigil that began with his body’s repatriation and concluded with public mourning and military honors. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to speak at the service, where relatives described Ran Gvili as a symbol of resilience. The return of his remains, part of a broader wave of hostage recoveries and ceasefire exchanges, marks a somber milestone for a country still navigating the complexities of the Gaza conflict and hostage releases.
On the domestic front, the Knesset approved a major aid package for widows and orphans of Israel Defense Forces personnel, expanding child support, housing and education grants, and broadening the definition of the term orphan to better reflect the needs of families affected by wartime service. The package is designed to bolster security families as Israel continues postwar recovery efforts and security reforms alongside its ongoing security priorities.
In regional diplomacy, Syria’s president Ahmed al-Assad’s top aide is slated to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, signaling Moscow’s ongoing effort to preserve its military footprint in Syria even as its influence has shifted since the collapse of the Assad era’s strongest balance. Russia has reduced its presence in some areas but remains a key security partner for Damascus, and the forthcoming discussions are framed around bilateral ties and broader regional dynamics, including Middle East stability and the ongoing fight against extremism.
Across the region, Iran rejected overtures for talks with the United States amid threats of military action tied to protests and regional tensions. Washington has moved a carrier strike group into Middle East waters as part of broader maneuvers and has signaled readiness to conduct operations if necessary. Tehran has urged restraint, while diplomatic channels with Arab states continue behind the scenes to ease tensions. Officials in Iran and in allied capitals have discussed a staged, cautious approach to diplomacy, with some Arab states urging deescalation while others seek to press the United States on its demands regarding Iran’s nuclear program and regional behavior.
In Iraq, a potential political comeback for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki drew attention as his nomination to lead a new government sparked concern in Washington. President Donald Trump has warned that a
Pope urges end to antisemitism worldwide
Court weighs Army Radio closure
Ran Gvili funeral honors last Gaza hostage
The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
Pope Leo used the international Holocaust Remembrance Day week to appeal for a world free of antisemitism, telling the Vatican audience that he seeks “a world with no more antisemitism” and urging leaders to stay vigilant so the horror of genocide never returns. The remarks come as the Catholic Church continues a yearslong effort to strengthen relations with Judaism, including ongoing dialogue and commitments to combat antisemitism on multiple fronts.
In Israel, the court heard the government’s case to shutter Army Radio, a decision announced in December. Five petitioners joined the first formal hearing before the Supreme Court as Justices considered whether the government overstepped authority. The state argues the move, backed by a professional committee’s findings, fits its prerogative and that the station’s public funding should end as it no longer aligns with official policy. The court order that temporarily blocked March 1 closure remains in effect as the legal process unfolds, and prosecutors in the case have raised concerns about proper authority and precedent in such steps.
Meanwhile in Meitar, thousands gathered to honor St.-Sergeant-Major Ran Gvili, the last hostage returned from Gaza after the war triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack. His funeral capped a national vigil that began with his body’s repatriation and concluded with public mourning and military honors. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to speak at the service, where relatives described Ran Gvili as a symbol of resilience. The return of his remains, part of a broader wave of hostage recoveries and ceasefire exchanges, marks a somber milestone for a country still navigating the complexities of the Gaza conflict and hostage releases.
On the domestic front, the Knesset approved a major aid package for widows and orphans of Israel Defense Forces personnel, expanding child support, housing and education grants, and broadening the definition of the term orphan to better reflect the needs of families affected by wartime service. The package is designed to bolster security families as Israel continues postwar recovery efforts and security reforms alongside its ongoing security priorities.
In regional diplomacy, Syria’s president Ahmed al-Assad’s top aide is slated to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, signaling Moscow’s ongoing effort to preserve its military footprint in Syria even as its influence has shifted since the collapse of the Assad era’s strongest balance. Russia has reduced its presence in some areas but remains a key security partner for Damascus, and the forthcoming discussions are framed around bilateral ties and broader regional dynamics, including Middle East stability and the ongoing fight against extremism.
Across the region, Iran rejected overtures for talks with the United States amid threats of military action tied to protests and regional tensions. Washington has moved a carrier strike group into Middle East waters as part of broader maneuvers and has signaled readiness to conduct operations if necessary. Tehran has urged restraint, while diplomatic channels with Arab states continue behind the scenes to ease tensions. Officials in Iran and in allied capitals have discussed a staged, cautious approach to diplomacy, with some Arab states urging deescalation while others seek to press the United States on its demands regarding Iran’s nuclear program and regional behavior.
In Iraq, a potential political comeback for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki drew attention as his nomination to lead a new government sparked concern in Washington. President Donald Trump has warned that a