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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-09 at 16:02
Published 3 weeks, 1 day ago
Description
HEADLINES
Jerusalem journalist detained over alleged Iran contact
Indonesia to join Gaza ISF Phase II
Netanyahu to discuss Iran with Trump
The time is now 4:01 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, a Jerusalem-based independent journalist who reported suspected Iranian recruitment was detained and questioned on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent after alerting police. The journalist, who cannot be named due to a gag order, says unidentified individuals contacted him via social media in January, asking him to photograph Jerusalem streets, including ultra-Orthodox demonstrations, which he believed could be recruitment by Iranian intelligence. He voluntarily contacted the Jerusalem Police’s cyber unit, but upon arriving to share information he was detained and questioned by the Shin Bet and police. He spent several days in detention while being interrogated on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent. In another development reflecting regional tensions tied to Iranian proxies, CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper praised the Lebanese army for uncovering a Hezbollah tunnel for the second time in two weeks; a new hospital opened in Beirut’s Dahieh with a speech by Hezbollah’s leader, a day after Kuwait blacklisted Lebanese hospitals over ties to the group.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Indonesia is expected to become the first country to contribute troops to Gaza’s International Stabilization Force during Phase II of the ceasefire, according to KAN News. Indonesia could have troops on the ground within weeks, following President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Washington for the Peace to Prosperity summit on February 19. The ISF is not expected to seek direct confrontation with Hamas or to proactively disarm the group; instead, Indonesian forces would supervise ceasefire lines and possibly handle border-related duties, including defense lines in Khan Yunis and Rafah, within the framework of the Trump administration’s Phase II.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the United States for a strategy-shaping session with President Trump and senior aides to discuss the current US-Iran talks and options if diplomacy fails, including the possibility of a US military strike. Attendees include military secretary Major-General Roman Gofman and acting NSC director Gil Reich. US Vice President JD Vance said there are no redlines at this stage, but Trump seeks a broad and meaningful agreement, with Washington warning vessels flying the US flag to stay as far as possible from Iranian waters while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu then heads to Washington for a closed-door meeting with Trump to press for strict red lines over Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missiles, even as regional allies push for a lighter deal.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an Australian advertisement opposing Herzog’s visit sparked backlash over false, unauthorized names and the inclusion of kapos. The ad reportedly lists names associated with Nazi camps, including three historical kapos, and appeared on World Israel News, drawing criticism for the false attribution and for invoking Nazi-era references in criticizing the visit.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced he would not approve the appointment or promotion of senior police officer Ruti Hauslich, citing a pattern of “grave misconduct” including impersonation of authority, misleading Knesset committees, and violations of police ordinances. The decision was formalized in a letter to Deputy Attorneys-General Gil Limon and Sharon Afek, responding to objections to his earlier refusal to advance Hauslich. Ben-Gvir grounded his stance in part on the Rinat Saban ruling handed down earlier that day as part o
Jerusalem journalist detained over alleged Iran contact
Indonesia to join Gaza ISF Phase II
Netanyahu to discuss Iran with Trump
The time is now 4:01 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, a Jerusalem-based independent journalist who reported suspected Iranian recruitment was detained and questioned on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent after alerting police. The journalist, who cannot be named due to a gag order, says unidentified individuals contacted him via social media in January, asking him to photograph Jerusalem streets, including ultra-Orthodox demonstrations, which he believed could be recruitment by Iranian intelligence. He voluntarily contacted the Jerusalem Police’s cyber unit, but upon arriving to share information he was detained and questioned by the Shin Bet and police. He spent several days in detention while being interrogated on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent. In another development reflecting regional tensions tied to Iranian proxies, CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper praised the Lebanese army for uncovering a Hezbollah tunnel for the second time in two weeks; a new hospital opened in Beirut’s Dahieh with a speech by Hezbollah’s leader, a day after Kuwait blacklisted Lebanese hospitals over ties to the group.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Indonesia is expected to become the first country to contribute troops to Gaza’s International Stabilization Force during Phase II of the ceasefire, according to KAN News. Indonesia could have troops on the ground within weeks, following President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Washington for the Peace to Prosperity summit on February 19. The ISF is not expected to seek direct confrontation with Hamas or to proactively disarm the group; instead, Indonesian forces would supervise ceasefire lines and possibly handle border-related duties, including defense lines in Khan Yunis and Rafah, within the framework of the Trump administration’s Phase II.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the United States for a strategy-shaping session with President Trump and senior aides to discuss the current US-Iran talks and options if diplomacy fails, including the possibility of a US military strike. Attendees include military secretary Major-General Roman Gofman and acting NSC director Gil Reich. US Vice President JD Vance said there are no redlines at this stage, but Trump seeks a broad and meaningful agreement, with Washington warning vessels flying the US flag to stay as far as possible from Iranian waters while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu then heads to Washington for a closed-door meeting with Trump to press for strict red lines over Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missiles, even as regional allies push for a lighter deal.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an Australian advertisement opposing Herzog’s visit sparked backlash over false, unauthorized names and the inclusion of kapos. The ad reportedly lists names associated with Nazi camps, including three historical kapos, and appeared on World Israel News, drawing criticism for the false attribution and for invoking Nazi-era references in criticizing the visit.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced he would not approve the appointment or promotion of senior police officer Ruti Hauslich, citing a pattern of “grave misconduct” including impersonation of authority, misleading Knesset committees, and violations of police ordinances. The decision was formalized in a letter to Deputy Attorneys-General Gil Limon and Sharon Afek, responding to objections to his earlier refusal to advance Hauslich. Ben-Gvir grounded his stance in part on the Rinat Saban ruling handed down earlier that day as part o