Episode Details

HEADLINES
- IDF strikes Hezbollah operative in southern Lebanon
- Israel joins Gaza stabilization board
- Bennett comeback pledges security and savings

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, the IDF says it struck a Hezbollah operative in the A-Tiri area in southern Lebanon earlier today.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Trump will unveil a multi-billion-dollar Gaza reconstruction plan and detail plans for a UN-authorized stabilization force for the enclave at the first formal meeting of his Board of Peace, set for February 19 in Washington, with delegations from at least 20 countries expected. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has joined the board. Separately, Hamas documents allege efforts to obstruct the trial of World Vision's Gaza director, El-Halabi, who was released in February 2025 as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump said the United States must strike a deal with Iran and that a deal could be reached within a month, warning that failure would be very traumatic. He criticized President Isaac Herzog for not pardoning Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying Herzog should be ashamed for not granting one; Herzog’s office replied that pardons are handled by the Justice Ministry. Trump and Netanyahu had recent talks in Washington. Netanyahu, returning to Israel, said Trump believes Iranians could be forced to accept a good deal, but he remains skeptical, and noted that any agreement must address missiles and Iran’s proxies. He also said he will not return to Washington to attend the Board of Peace inaugural meeting and will skip an AIPAC event. Trump also gave the Iranians a month to reach a deal.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Bennett pledges security focus and cost of living cuts in comeback bid campaign. Speaking to more than 1,000 English-speaking olim in Tel Aviv, Bennett outlined his plan to fix Israel together and said he would implement it immediately if reelected, framing his effort as a path to stronger security and relief from rising living costs.

In Uplifting News, for the first time, free Shabbat public transport to Ben Gurion Airport launches with a new Route 711 of the Na’im Busofash initiative. The route will connect Shoham and Tel Aviv and stop at Ben Gurion Airport, funded by 12 local authorities, with a Tel Aviv deputy mayor noting municipalities are stepping in where the government has left a gap.

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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1284324
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-886531
https://worldisraelnews.com/hamas-documents-show-efforts-to-obstruct-trial-of-world-visions-gaza-director/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-886533
https://www.timesofisrael.com/returning-to-israel-skeptical-netanyahu-says-trump-sees-possible-good-deal-with-iran/

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