Episode Details

HEADLINES
Graham lauds Trump Netanyahu Tehran threat talks
Israel monitors border as Hamas-linked trucks approach
Jerusalem bus drivers face rising racism

The time is now 10:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham praised both leaders' efforts toward a path forward in the Middle East after a three-hour White House meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. He called Trump the most consequential commander-in-chief since Ronald Reagan, saying he is moving toward a series of accomplishments that can reset the world for the better. Graham said Netanyahu's life experiences and deep understanding of the region make him a strong counsel and partner to President Trump. He noted the discussion focused on Tehran's military buildup and Iran's threat, including possible strikes on Iran and how post-war Gaza management might unfold. He added that the US-Israel alliance remains strong and prayed for wisdom and determination to stand firm against the forces of darkness. The meeting ran longer than scheduled, extending to three hours, and marked their seventh engagement.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Israeli army dispatched troops and aircraft to the border with Egypt near the community of Shlomit after several white pickup trucks approached from the Egyptian side. Military sources said there is no threat to Israelis, and the army contacted the Egyptian military to disperse the gathering, which had unsettled nearby residents. The Eshkol Regional Council told residents that such scenes are not unusual and urged authorities to move the crowds away from the border and to increase vigilance. Officials noted the white pickup trucks have been associated with Hamas’s October 7 attack, when such vehicles were used to breach the border. The army said it would monitor the situation.

Additionally, a surge in racist violence targeting Arab bus drivers in Israel has drawn concern. Jerusalem bus driver Fakhri Khatib described a chaotic sequence during an incident in which a protest by ultra-Orthodox groups prompted violence that left a teenager dead and led to Khatib’s arrest, with calls for aggravated murder charges. A union cites dozens of assaults on bus drivers in Jerusalem and advocates say police responses have been insufficient.

The Times of Israel live blog also notes developments tied to a visit by President Isaac Herzog to Australia. Herzog, amid protests in Sydney and Melbourne over Israel, described antisemitism in Australia as frightening but said most Australians want peace and dialogue with Israel. He framed his four-day visit as a message of goodwill to Australia's Jewish community and emphasized the desire for constructive relations between the two countries, even as security and demonstrations unfolded in major cities following December’s Bondi Beach attack.

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/international/article-886401
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-sends-troops-aircraft-to-egyptian-border-after-pickup-trucks-approach/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/02/no-one-back-us-arab-bus-drivers-israel-grapple-racist-attacks

Listen Now