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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-09 at 18:02
Published 3 weeks ago
Description
HEADLINES
Indonesia Deploys Troops to Gaza Stabilization
Lebanese Army Discovers Hezbollah Tunnel Again
Knesset Pushes to Split 2026 Budget Arrangements
The time is now 6:02 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, CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper praised the Lebanese Armed Forces for discovering a Hezbollah tunnel, calling the move key to regional stability. He noted the tunnel was uncovered for the second time in the past two months and said dismantling tunnels used by non-state actors to store ammunition, missiles, and attack drones promotes peace and stability in Lebanon and across the region. He credited the LAF alongside the US-led Mechanism that helps enforce commitments made by Israel and Lebanon. The LAF chief, General Rodolphe Haykal, recently met with US officials in Washington and at CENTCOM to discuss ongoing support and efforts to disarm Hezbollah. In Ayta ash-Shab, south Lebanon, an Israeli sniper from Brigade 300 under Division 91 killed Abdallah Khalil Nasser, a Hezbollah operative described as gathering intelligence against IDF forces and working to rehabilitate Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
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. Indonesian troops could be on the ground within weeks and are expected to supervise ceasefire lines and possibly border-related issues, including defense lines in Khan Yunis and Rafah. They are not anticipated to seek confrontation with Hamas. The ISF’s formation has been discussed with other potential contributors, but Indonesia appears poised to move from promise to readiness. Separately, IDF forces said four Hamas gunmen emerged from a Rafah tunnel and attacked troops in eastern Rafah; the soldiers returned fire and eliminated the four terrorists, with several Palestinians later reported killed in strikes. The IDF called the attack a clear violation of the ceasefire and said it would continue to hunt remaining militants in the tunnel. Hamas described the fighters as engaging in “heroic resistance.”
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset will vote on splitting the Arrangements Bill from the 2026 State Budget late Monday evening, following coalition negotiations with the haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism. The parties have threatened to oppose the coalition over the drafted bill, though coalition whip Ofir Katz said Shas and the Degel HaTorah faction would vote in favor of splitting. The Arrangements Bill, presented each year with the budget, carries numerous amendments the government aims to pass, making the vote a focal point of negotiations. Talks were ongoing after discussions over a clause related to draft targets reportedly being dropped, according to a KAN report. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office also faces other strains as Braverman, his chief of staff, stands at risk of suspension amid a police probe into alleged attempts to influence an IDF probe into leaked classified material. The Civil Service Commission has summoned Braverman for a hearing and the State Prosecutor’s Office has recommended a six-month suspension, with a response due by the deadline set by the panel. In parallel, rights groups pressed Interior Minister to freeze deportations of Ethiopian migrants, arguing the security situation in Ethiopia remains too volatile for safe return. Israel’s High Court rejected a challenge to the earlier withdrawal of protection for Ethiopians, giving migrants several months to prepare to leave, while the Foreign Ministry notes continued security concerns about travel to Ethiopia.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Wiz announced a purchase of a startup but now faces a civil lawsuit
Indonesia Deploys Troops to Gaza Stabilization
Lebanese Army Discovers Hezbollah Tunnel Again
Knesset Pushes to Split 2026 Budget Arrangements
The time is now 6:02 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, CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper praised the Lebanese Armed Forces for discovering a Hezbollah tunnel, calling the move key to regional stability. He noted the tunnel was uncovered for the second time in the past two months and said dismantling tunnels used by non-state actors to store ammunition, missiles, and attack drones promotes peace and stability in Lebanon and across the region. He credited the LAF alongside the US-led Mechanism that helps enforce commitments made by Israel and Lebanon. The LAF chief, General Rodolphe Haykal, recently met with US officials in Washington and at CENTCOM to discuss ongoing support and efforts to disarm Hezbollah. In Ayta ash-Shab, south Lebanon, an Israeli sniper from Brigade 300 under Division 91 killed Abdallah Khalil Nasser, a Hezbollah operative described as gathering intelligence against IDF forces and working to rehabilitate Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
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. Indonesian troops could be on the ground within weeks and are expected to supervise ceasefire lines and possibly border-related issues, including defense lines in Khan Yunis and Rafah. They are not anticipated to seek confrontation with Hamas. The ISF’s formation has been discussed with other potential contributors, but Indonesia appears poised to move from promise to readiness. Separately, IDF forces said four Hamas gunmen emerged from a Rafah tunnel and attacked troops in eastern Rafah; the soldiers returned fire and eliminated the four terrorists, with several Palestinians later reported killed in strikes. The IDF called the attack a clear violation of the ceasefire and said it would continue to hunt remaining militants in the tunnel. Hamas described the fighters as engaging in “heroic resistance.”
In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Knesset will vote on splitting the Arrangements Bill from the 2026 State Budget late Monday evening, following coalition negotiations with the haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism. The parties have threatened to oppose the coalition over the drafted bill, though coalition whip Ofir Katz said Shas and the Degel HaTorah faction would vote in favor of splitting. The Arrangements Bill, presented each year with the budget, carries numerous amendments the government aims to pass, making the vote a focal point of negotiations. Talks were ongoing after discussions over a clause related to draft targets reportedly being dropped, according to a KAN report. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office also faces other strains as Braverman, his chief of staff, stands at risk of suspension amid a police probe into alleged attempts to influence an IDF probe into leaked classified material. The Civil Service Commission has summoned Braverman for a hearing and the State Prosecutor’s Office has recommended a six-month suspension, with a response due by the deadline set by the panel. In parallel, rights groups pressed Interior Minister to freeze deportations of Ethiopian migrants, arguing the security situation in Ethiopia remains too volatile for safe return. Israel’s High Court rejected a challenge to the earlier withdrawal of protection for Ethiopians, giving migrants several months to prepare to leave, while the Foreign Ministry notes continued security concerns about travel to Ethiopia.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Wiz announced a purchase of a startup but now faces a civil lawsuit