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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-04 at 21:01
Published 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
Khamenei in bunker as war threats rise
Mia Schem rape case closed no indictment
Surfside memorial nears completion
The time is now 9:01 PM 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, on Israel’s Eretz Nehederet, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei said he has been in a bunker and cancelled a vacation because of the threat of war with the United States, adding that there is no refund, “they’re Persians.” He noted he had binged all the television he wanted to watch while in hiding, including a Yes Docu documentary about the Israeli singer Eviatar Banai. The host suggested he may have gone into the bunker too early, and Khamenei said he had already watched a four-part series. When asked to speculate on whether negotiations could prevent another war, he said he wasn’t sure and outlined four scenarios, each one seemingly contradicting the previous, before turning to a military correspondent for his assessment. A separate commentary on Iran from JD Vance summarized in Israeli media says Trump will try to achieve what he can through nonmilitary means, and if he believes the military path is the only option, he would ultimately choose it.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), authorities closed the rape case involving former Gaza hostage Mia Schem after a year-long investigation, with the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s office announcing no indictment will be filed. Sources familiar with the matter said the decision reflected a lack of evidence, not a lack of confidence in the survivor’s complaints. Schem’s attorney argued police failed in their duty and leaked her name, violating the law and her privacy, and said there may be an appeal after reviewing the case in detail. The investigation opened in March 2025 after Schem went to the Tel Aviv North Police Station. In Gaza, reports identified Rasán al-Dhaini, who leads the Abu Shabab militia operating in Rafah, as having been shot in the leg.
Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Zohran Mamdani appointed Phylisa Wisdom, head of the New York Jewish Agenda, as executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, a move that drew mixed reactions from Jewish leaders. Wisdom, who has led NYJA since 2023, declined to comment, but both she and a Mamdani spokesperson confirmed the appointment. Support from allies included praise from Brad Lander, who described Wisdom as the perfect person for the job on social media. Meanwhile, an Australian 19-year-old was charged with online death threats against President Isaac Herzog ahead of his visit to Australia; the offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. Bail was denied, and the suspect will appear in a Sydney court. Police reported the seizure of a mobile phone and equipment used for drugs during a home search. Herzog is due to arrive in Australia on Sunday for a five-day visit.
Uplifting News, families who lost loved ones in the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse gathered on Wednesday as plans for a permanent memorial moved closer to completion, marking another step in remembrance and healing. A rabbi offered a personal prayer beside concrete and steel salvaged from Champlain Towers South, the 12-story beachfront building that collapsed in the middle of the night, killing 98 people.
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/israel-news/culture/article-885665
https:/
Khamenei in bunker as war threats rise
Mia Schem rape case closed no indictment
Surfside memorial nears completion
The time is now 9:01 PM 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, on Israel’s Eretz Nehederet, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei said he has been in a bunker and cancelled a vacation because of the threat of war with the United States, adding that there is no refund, “they’re Persians.” He noted he had binged all the television he wanted to watch while in hiding, including a Yes Docu documentary about the Israeli singer Eviatar Banai. The host suggested he may have gone into the bunker too early, and Khamenei said he had already watched a four-part series. When asked to speculate on whether negotiations could prevent another war, he said he wasn’t sure and outlined four scenarios, each one seemingly contradicting the previous, before turning to a military correspondent for his assessment. A separate commentary on Iran from JD Vance summarized in Israeli media says Trump will try to achieve what he can through nonmilitary means, and if he believes the military path is the only option, he would ultimately choose it.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), authorities closed the rape case involving former Gaza hostage Mia Schem after a year-long investigation, with the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s office announcing no indictment will be filed. Sources familiar with the matter said the decision reflected a lack of evidence, not a lack of confidence in the survivor’s complaints. Schem’s attorney argued police failed in their duty and leaked her name, violating the law and her privacy, and said there may be an appeal after reviewing the case in detail. The investigation opened in March 2025 after Schem went to the Tel Aviv North Police Station. In Gaza, reports identified Rasán al-Dhaini, who leads the Abu Shabab militia operating in Rafah, as having been shot in the leg.
Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Zohran Mamdani appointed Phylisa Wisdom, head of the New York Jewish Agenda, as executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, a move that drew mixed reactions from Jewish leaders. Wisdom, who has led NYJA since 2023, declined to comment, but both she and a Mamdani spokesperson confirmed the appointment. Support from allies included praise from Brad Lander, who described Wisdom as the perfect person for the job on social media. Meanwhile, an Australian 19-year-old was charged with online death threats against President Isaac Herzog ahead of his visit to Australia; the offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. Bail was denied, and the suspect will appear in a Sydney court. Police reported the seizure of a mobile phone and equipment used for drugs during a home search. Herzog is due to arrive in Australia on Sunday for a five-day visit.
Uplifting News, families who lost loved ones in the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse gathered on Wednesday as plans for a permanent memorial moved closer to completion, marking another step in remembrance and healing. A rabbi offered a personal prayer beside concrete and steel salvaged from Champlain Towers South, the 12-story beachfront building that collapsed in the middle of the night, killing 98 people.
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/israel-news/culture/article-885665
https:/