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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-16 at 12:02
Published 2 weeks ago
Description
HEADLINES
- Ramadan Tensions Rise as Iran Proxies Target
- Jerusalem Deploys Hundreds for Ramadan Security
- Graham Says Iran Strike Within Weeks
The time is now 12:02 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, Israeli security officials warn that Ramadan could be a particularly tense period, with a range of threats from lone attackers to organized plots. The security establishment says it is prepared for a high tempo of operations and has reinforced readiness in the West Bank as Ramadan begins. Iran is assessed as seeking to spark trouble in the Palestinian territories to draw global attention and blunt pressure on Tehran, potentially opening fronts that keep Israel focused and complicate foreign calculations during the month.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Jerusalem Police have completed Ramadan 2026 security preparations, deploying hundreds of officers across the city with a focus on the Old City and the Temple Mount. The aim is to enable freedom of worship for people of all faiths while preserving security and public order, a balance that has proved delicate on sensitive days. Police will operate around the clock near the Temple Mount and the Old City, with Friday deployments expanded to manage large crowds and ensure traffic flows through perimeter crossings to the Old City.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Trump, said that a potential strike on Iran would come in weeks rather than months, signaling a sense of urgency among policymakers who favor a swift approach to potential military action.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Spike Lee and Kyrie Irving wore pro-Palestinian outfits at the NBA All-Star Game that featured Israeli player Deni Avdija. Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges, while Irving wore a Wear the Peace “PRESS” shirt dedicated to journalists in Gaza. Avdija, the Israeli on Team World, contributed five points, four assists, and one dunk in the game as part of the visible presence of Israeli athletes on the global stage.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, social activist and reservist Omri Ronen announced he will join The Democrats Party ahead of the upcoming elections, saying he cannot sit on the sidelines and that the country needs people who will take responsibility. Ronen, a leader of the Brothers and Sisters in Arms who protested judicial reforms and served in reserve during the October 7 Hamas attacks, has emphasized rebuilding and renewal in his public statements ahead of the vote.
In Uplifting News, Israeli actress Shira Haas will star in Triumph of the Will, a WWII-period film described by Variety as a sprawling project set in 1937–Berlin, with Haas portraying a woman who escapes to help Jews flee Nazi-occupied Europe. The project is written and directed by American filmmaker Gabriel Nussbaum. In the same context, LeBron James faced online backlash after praising Israel while speaking about Deni Avdija, noting he had heard “nothing but great things” about Israel and expressing a desire to visit, a comment that drew criticism from various observers online.
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-1285613
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1285611
- Ramadan Tensions Rise as Iran Proxies Target
- Jerusalem Deploys Hundreds for Ramadan Security
- Graham Says Iran Strike Within Weeks
The time is now 12:02 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, Israeli security officials warn that Ramadan could be a particularly tense period, with a range of threats from lone attackers to organized plots. The security establishment says it is prepared for a high tempo of operations and has reinforced readiness in the West Bank as Ramadan begins. Iran is assessed as seeking to spark trouble in the Palestinian territories to draw global attention and blunt pressure on Tehran, potentially opening fronts that keep Israel focused and complicate foreign calculations during the month.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Jerusalem Police have completed Ramadan 2026 security preparations, deploying hundreds of officers across the city with a focus on the Old City and the Temple Mount. The aim is to enable freedom of worship for people of all faiths while preserving security and public order, a balance that has proved delicate on sensitive days. Police will operate around the clock near the Temple Mount and the Old City, with Friday deployments expanded to manage large crowds and ensure traffic flows through perimeter crossings to the Old City.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Trump, said that a potential strike on Iran would come in weeks rather than months, signaling a sense of urgency among policymakers who favor a swift approach to potential military action.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Spike Lee and Kyrie Irving wore pro-Palestinian outfits at the NBA All-Star Game that featured Israeli player Deni Avdija. Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges, while Irving wore a Wear the Peace “PRESS” shirt dedicated to journalists in Gaza. Avdija, the Israeli on Team World, contributed five points, four assists, and one dunk in the game as part of the visible presence of Israeli athletes on the global stage.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, social activist and reservist Omri Ronen announced he will join The Democrats Party ahead of the upcoming elections, saying he cannot sit on the sidelines and that the country needs people who will take responsibility. Ronen, a leader of the Brothers and Sisters in Arms who protested judicial reforms and served in reserve during the October 7 Hamas attacks, has emphasized rebuilding and renewal in his public statements ahead of the vote.
In Uplifting News, Israeli actress Shira Haas will star in Triumph of the Will, a WWII-period film described by Variety as a sprawling project set in 1937–Berlin, with Haas portraying a woman who escapes to help Jews flee Nazi-occupied Europe. The project is written and directed by American filmmaker Gabriel Nussbaum. In the same context, LeBron James faced online backlash after praising Israel while speaking about Deni Avdija, noting he had heard “nothing but great things” about Israel and expressing a desire to visit, a comment that drew criticism from various observers online.
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-1285613
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1285611
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