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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-11 at 07:02
Published 2 weeks, 6 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
- David's Sling drills expand to longer threats
- Former officials warn annexation imperils Gaza plan
- Eastern Mediterranean alliance tightens against Turkey
The time is now 7:01 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, new David's Sling drills were announced a day after the system shot down an Iranian ballistic missile in June 2025. The Defense Ministry said the drills on Wednesday were successful, while both the ministry and Rafael, the David’s Sling manufacturer, declined to discuss the exact scenarios for security reasons. Sources told The Jerusalem Post that the drill scenarios were more diverse than in past exercises. The June intercept underscored David’s Sling’s unusual engagement of longer-range threats, given that the system has traditionally been seen as addressing threats from roughly 40 to 300 kilometers; analysts note the potential implications of missiles from much farther away. The exercise occurred amid concerns about a possible American strike on Iran and the risk of Iranian retaliation against Israel. Rafael’s description of David’s Sling highlights its capabilities, stating the system combines “innovative steering control, multi-propulsion, and an advanced seeker” to defeat high-volume asymmetric threats including tactical ballistic missiles and large-caliber rockets.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a letter from 600 former Israeli defense officials warns that gradual annexation of the West Bank will undermine the Trump administration’s Gaza plan and threaten Israeli security in other ways. The government simultaneously moved to repeal or streamline numerous rules that had required extra approvals from the IDF legal division, the Civil Administration, the Palestinian Authority, and others for land purchases or construction in Judea and Samaria. The coalition of former officials, under the banner Commanders for Israel's Security, argues this shift could anger the United States and even jeopardize Phase II of the Gaza ceasefire. They question the timing of the move, noting it comes on the eve of a meeting with the US president and urging careful judgment about the broader security and diplomatic implications.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, a Knesset gathering of Israeli, Greek, Cypriot, and United States officials—held with the Middle East Forum—focused on strengthening the eastern Mediterranean alliance in light of the rising Turkish threat. Participants discussed regional developments and the need for closer cooperation among the four partners. MK Ohad Tal opened by describing a shift away from the Iranian axis toward a Sunni Islamist axis as a new challenge to security, energy, and trade in the region, and he called the alliance a strategic asset. Co-Chair MK Alon Schuster added that the collaboration offers opportunities beyond security, including civilian resilience in energy, water, agriculture, and innovation, underscoring the broader value of this regional ties. The gathering highlighted a shared interest in coordinating response to regional threats, including Turkey’s ambitions.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, a JPPI initiative led by former hostage Gadi Moses and attorney Gil Avriel proposes a detailed mandate for the October 7 state commission of inquiry. Rather than focusing on who would join or chair the panel, the proposal emphasizes defining precisely what should be investigated, offering a template to guide the commission’s scope and questions. A separate security-related development: a 17-year-old from the south was arrested after being caught transporting seven illegal entrants from Hebron. In a security briefing, Shin Bet and the IDF announced the elimination of Is’al Himoni, a Hamas operative responsible for the 16 Israeli deaths in the Beersheba bus attack. Himoni, originally
- David's Sling drills expand to longer threats
- Former officials warn annexation imperils Gaza plan
- Eastern Mediterranean alliance tightens against Turkey
The time is now 7:01 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, new David's Sling drills were announced a day after the system shot down an Iranian ballistic missile in June 2025. The Defense Ministry said the drills on Wednesday were successful, while both the ministry and Rafael, the David’s Sling manufacturer, declined to discuss the exact scenarios for security reasons. Sources told The Jerusalem Post that the drill scenarios were more diverse than in past exercises. The June intercept underscored David’s Sling’s unusual engagement of longer-range threats, given that the system has traditionally been seen as addressing threats from roughly 40 to 300 kilometers; analysts note the potential implications of missiles from much farther away. The exercise occurred amid concerns about a possible American strike on Iran and the risk of Iranian retaliation against Israel. Rafael’s description of David’s Sling highlights its capabilities, stating the system combines “innovative steering control, multi-propulsion, and an advanced seeker” to defeat high-volume asymmetric threats including tactical ballistic missiles and large-caliber rockets.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a letter from 600 former Israeli defense officials warns that gradual annexation of the West Bank will undermine the Trump administration’s Gaza plan and threaten Israeli security in other ways. The government simultaneously moved to repeal or streamline numerous rules that had required extra approvals from the IDF legal division, the Civil Administration, the Palestinian Authority, and others for land purchases or construction in Judea and Samaria. The coalition of former officials, under the banner Commanders for Israel's Security, argues this shift could anger the United States and even jeopardize Phase II of the Gaza ceasefire. They question the timing of the move, noting it comes on the eve of a meeting with the US president and urging careful judgment about the broader security and diplomatic implications.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, a Knesset gathering of Israeli, Greek, Cypriot, and United States officials—held with the Middle East Forum—focused on strengthening the eastern Mediterranean alliance in light of the rising Turkish threat. Participants discussed regional developments and the need for closer cooperation among the four partners. MK Ohad Tal opened by describing a shift away from the Iranian axis toward a Sunni Islamist axis as a new challenge to security, energy, and trade in the region, and he called the alliance a strategic asset. Co-Chair MK Alon Schuster added that the collaboration offers opportunities beyond security, including civilian resilience in energy, water, agriculture, and innovation, underscoring the broader value of this regional ties. The gathering highlighted a shared interest in coordinating response to regional threats, including Turkey’s ambitions.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, a JPPI initiative led by former hostage Gadi Moses and attorney Gil Avriel proposes a detailed mandate for the October 7 state commission of inquiry. Rather than focusing on who would join or chair the panel, the proposal emphasizes defining precisely what should be investigated, offering a template to guide the commission’s scope and questions. A separate security-related development: a 17-year-old from the south was arrested after being caught transporting seven illegal entrants from Hebron. In a security briefing, Shin Bet and the IDF announced the elimination of Is’al Himoni, a Hamas operative responsible for the 16 Israeli deaths in the Beersheba bus attack. Himoni, originally