Episode Details

HEADLINES
Rafah Border Return Marred by Interrogations
Israel Divided Over Iran Strike And Aid
Knesset Turns 60 With Historic Finds

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Palestinian women who were among the few allowed back into Gaza after Israel's reopening of the Rafah border crossing describe a return marked by blindfolds, handcuffs, and interrogation by Israeli forces as they tried to get home. Their journey from Egypt through the frontier post and across the Yellow Line involved long delays and the confiscation of gifts, including toys. "It was a journey of horror, humiliation, and oppression," said 56-year-old Huda Abu Abed by phone from the tent her family is living in at Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Her account is supported by another woman interviewed and by a third on Arab television. In response to requests for comment, the IDF denied mistreatment and said it did not address the specific allegations. About 50 Palestinians had been expected to enter Gaza on Monday, but by nightfall, only three women and nine children had been let through, with another 38 stuck waiting to clear security.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israelis are divided on joining a possible US pre-emptive strike on Iran and on the question of reducing US military aid, according to a new poll. The largest share, 50%, favors Israeli participation only if Israel is attacked by Iran, while 44% support direct IDF involvement coordinated with the US from the outset. Among Jewish Israelis, support for direct involvement is 48% versus 46% for retaliatory strikes; among Arab Israelis, 67% favor only retaliatory strikes. The poll also asked about reducing US military aid to zero, with 49% saying this would be harmful to Israel's security. The discussion comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a policy move to reduce US military aid to zero.

In Uplifting News, a new archaeology exhibit marking 60 years of the Knesset building with rare finds from Jerusalem and the Galilee opened during Tu BiShvat open house, drawing more than 2,000 visitors including soldiers, police officers, Holocaust survivors, and students from across the country. Organized by the Antiquities Authority in cooperation with the Knesset and the Heritage Ministry, the display traces a historical continuum of Jewish leadership institutions over thousands of years and connects ancient heritage to the present sovereignty. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said the exhibit bridges our ancient past and the living heritage Israel continues to build, inviting the public to experience the link between history and the State. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called the anniversary and the Knesset another link in a long chain of sovereign leadership. An opinion piece within the same topic notes that, for the first time in years, many Israelis have an emotional stake in Super Bowl LX as the New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks, highlighting Robert Kraft’s anti-hate philanthropy and the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate as factors that have deepened Israeli attachment to the event and its broader message against antisemitism. The author recounts Kraft’s efforts and discusses how campaigns and high-profile ads contribute to a sense of shared purpose beyond sports.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-885502

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