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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-03 at 06:02
Published 3 weeks, 6 days ago
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HEADLINES
- Reza Pahlavi mobilizes global action February 14
- Abbas sets November 1 PLO elections
- Direct Istanbul talks begin as carrier withdraws
The time is now 6:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has issued a call for a Global Day of Action on February 14, posting on X a mobilization urging Iranians abroad and supporters worldwide to gather in major cities such as Munich, Los Angeles, and Toronto to pressure the international community to act. He lays out six specific demands, including dismantling the regime’s machinery of repression, cutting off the regime’s financial lifelines, ensuring free internet and communications for the people of Iran, expelling the regime’s diplomats and prosecuting its criminals, the immediate release of all political prisoners, and additional steps toward change. Separately, President Donald Trump warned that if upcoming talks with Iran fail to produce an agreement, “bad things will happen” as more warships move toward the Middle East.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that the Parliament of the Palestine Liberation Organization will hold elections on November 1. The vote will be the first where council members are elected by vote rather than appointed, with Abbas pledging to hold elections wherever possible, inside and outside Palestine to maximize participation, though it is unclear how ballots abroad would be conducted. Abbas noted that the Palestinian National Council has not convened since 2018 and is weaker than the PLO Executive Committee. He also set May 14, 2026, as the date for the Eighth General Conference of Fatah in Ramallah, and the Cabinet had earlier announced April 25, 2026 for West Bank local elections. Abbas signed a decree banning Hamas from municipal elections last week.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, Iran cites a US carrier withdrawal as talks begin amid deep disagreements, with the question of whether a US strike is receding swirling around briefings that Witkoff will meet Netanyahu and the Mossad chief as Iran signals openness to talks with Washington but only if threats are avoided, amid reports of two tracks and sharp disputes over missiles and proxies. Iran and the United States are set to begin direct talks in Istanbul this Friday, with Iran’s president confirming the venue, as Israel pushes Witkoff to demand comprehensive concessions from Tehran. Meanwhile, fears grow among Iranians as the United States weighs talks with Tehran, with some pundits arguing that failure to act could allow mass protests to be suppressed for a generation.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Rose Nakad appeared in Newtown Local Court on charges of stalking/intimidation intended to cause fear or physical harm, and offensive conduct, arising from alleged harassment of Jewish students at the University of Sydney. The former staff member pleaded not guilty to the counts, and was accompanied by supporters outside the court. She had previously been suspended, then sacked, and later arrested in connection with the case.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset is moving to try Nukhba terrorists as Phase I of Donald Trump’s Gaza plan nears its end, with a small forum planned for members of Knesset and government ministers to advance the bill establishing a special tribunal to try Nukhba operatives. The proposal faces logistical challenges, including potential hearings near the Gaza border and the need for terrorists’ lawyers to travel from Palestinian Authority territory to Israel. Separately, the northern Arab town of I’billin saw a second deadly shooting in 24 hours, pushing 2026 Israeli-Arab fatalities to 29; authorities said the latest victim died of wounds after a dispute betw
- Reza Pahlavi mobilizes global action February 14
- Abbas sets November 1 PLO elections
- Direct Istanbul talks begin as carrier withdraws
The time is now 6:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has issued a call for a Global Day of Action on February 14, posting on X a mobilization urging Iranians abroad and supporters worldwide to gather in major cities such as Munich, Los Angeles, and Toronto to pressure the international community to act. He lays out six specific demands, including dismantling the regime’s machinery of repression, cutting off the regime’s financial lifelines, ensuring free internet and communications for the people of Iran, expelling the regime’s diplomats and prosecuting its criminals, the immediate release of all political prisoners, and additional steps toward change. Separately, President Donald Trump warned that if upcoming talks with Iran fail to produce an agreement, “bad things will happen” as more warships move toward the Middle East.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that the Parliament of the Palestine Liberation Organization will hold elections on November 1. The vote will be the first where council members are elected by vote rather than appointed, with Abbas pledging to hold elections wherever possible, inside and outside Palestine to maximize participation, though it is unclear how ballots abroad would be conducted. Abbas noted that the Palestinian National Council has not convened since 2018 and is weaker than the PLO Executive Committee. He also set May 14, 2026, as the date for the Eighth General Conference of Fatah in Ramallah, and the Cabinet had earlier announced April 25, 2026 for West Bank local elections. Abbas signed a decree banning Hamas from municipal elections last week.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, Iran cites a US carrier withdrawal as talks begin amid deep disagreements, with the question of whether a US strike is receding swirling around briefings that Witkoff will meet Netanyahu and the Mossad chief as Iran signals openness to talks with Washington but only if threats are avoided, amid reports of two tracks and sharp disputes over missiles and proxies. Iran and the United States are set to begin direct talks in Istanbul this Friday, with Iran’s president confirming the venue, as Israel pushes Witkoff to demand comprehensive concessions from Tehran. Meanwhile, fears grow among Iranians as the United States weighs talks with Tehran, with some pundits arguing that failure to act could allow mass protests to be suppressed for a generation.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Rose Nakad appeared in Newtown Local Court on charges of stalking/intimidation intended to cause fear or physical harm, and offensive conduct, arising from alleged harassment of Jewish students at the University of Sydney. The former staff member pleaded not guilty to the counts, and was accompanied by supporters outside the court. She had previously been suspended, then sacked, and later arrested in connection with the case.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset is moving to try Nukhba terrorists as Phase I of Donald Trump’s Gaza plan nears its end, with a small forum planned for members of Knesset and government ministers to advance the bill establishing a special tribunal to try Nukhba operatives. The proposal faces logistical challenges, including potential hearings near the Gaza border and the need for terrorists’ lawyers to travel from Palestinian Authority territory to Israel. Separately, the northern Arab town of I’billin saw a second deadly shooting in 24 hours, pushing 2026 Israeli-Arab fatalities to 29; authorities said the latest victim died of wounds after a dispute betw