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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-17 at 04:02
Published 1 week, 6 days ago
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HEADLINES
IDF escalates strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon
Hamas cache found near Gaza's Yellow Line
Israel unveils 350 billion shekel defense plan
The time is now 4:02 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, the IDF has escalated strikes on terror targets in Lebanon as it prepares for another round of war with Iran, according to N12 News. The military’s operations have targeted Hezbollah operatives, rocket launchers, and weapons stores in Lebanon in an effort to cripple Hezbollah’s ability to aid Iran in a potential conflict. Since the start of February, the IDF says it has killed 12 Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad terrorists in the country. Over the past week, the 91st Division killed four Hezbollah terrorists who were working to reestablish the group’s infrastructure in Lebanon, with a strike in the Tallouseh area of southern Lebanon described as part of this effort. In a related note, a security expert in the report says the question is not whether a war will break out but what form and scope such a conflict would take amid rising regional tensions, with discussions calling for leadership input from religious and community figures as events unfold.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Kfar Saba police arrested a Gaza resident, a released terrorist from the Schalit deal, at the entrance to the G Mall in Kfar Saba after a security guard reported an attempted entry; a local driver who transported him was also detained, and both men were indicted with prosecutors seeking continued detention until legal proceedings are completed. The IDF said it found a Hamas weapons cache near Gaza’s Yellow Line, including a large quantity of guns, an RPG rocket, and an explosive device intended to harm IDF soldiers in the area, and said it would continue working to kill terrorists and dismantle terrorist infrastructures in the southern Gaza Strip under the ceasefire. On Tuesday morning, the IDF began demolishing a home in Qarawat Bani Hassan, west of Salfit in the West Bank. Palestinian channels reported that 15 Palestinian families in the Alberg area of the northern Jordan Valley are dismantling their homes ahead of departure due to rising attacks by settlers. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that Israel’s decision to resume land registry in Judea and Samaria represents a move to full sovereignty and will benefit both Jews and Arabs, noting that formal land registration reduces mistakes and disputes and brings order.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, defense minister Katz cited problems in the United States and in global arms supply as reasons for Israel to produce its own weapons. He unveiled a 350 billion shekel, decade-long defense plan dubbed Shield of Israel and pledged to expand domestic production to ensure defense independence.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, you are Jew hunting: Sheffield erupts over pro-Palestinian door-knocking campaign | Watch. Police are investigating assault claims after activists urging a boycott of Israeli goods clashed with residents, as video footage circulates and authorities review whether it was edited.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, free buses to run between Ben-Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv during Shabbat for the first time. Na'im Besofash, a private bus initiative, will add a stop at Ben-Gurion Airport on line 711 to help travelers who fly on Shabbat reach Tel Aviv. Deputy Mayor Meital Lehavi described the move as not a political statement but a response to a basic social need and a step to expand freedom of movement for all citizens, while acknowledging that public transportation on Shabbat remains a contentious issue and that private lines have grown to meet demand.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Smart Shooter plans a NIS 200 million IPO amid a defense boom. The company has f
IDF escalates strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon
Hamas cache found near Gaza's Yellow Line
Israel unveils 350 billion shekel defense plan
The time is now 4:02 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, the IDF has escalated strikes on terror targets in Lebanon as it prepares for another round of war with Iran, according to N12 News. The military’s operations have targeted Hezbollah operatives, rocket launchers, and weapons stores in Lebanon in an effort to cripple Hezbollah’s ability to aid Iran in a potential conflict. Since the start of February, the IDF says it has killed 12 Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad terrorists in the country. Over the past week, the 91st Division killed four Hezbollah terrorists who were working to reestablish the group’s infrastructure in Lebanon, with a strike in the Tallouseh area of southern Lebanon described as part of this effort. In a related note, a security expert in the report says the question is not whether a war will break out but what form and scope such a conflict would take amid rising regional tensions, with discussions calling for leadership input from religious and community figures as events unfold.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Kfar Saba police arrested a Gaza resident, a released terrorist from the Schalit deal, at the entrance to the G Mall in Kfar Saba after a security guard reported an attempted entry; a local driver who transported him was also detained, and both men were indicted with prosecutors seeking continued detention until legal proceedings are completed. The IDF said it found a Hamas weapons cache near Gaza’s Yellow Line, including a large quantity of guns, an RPG rocket, and an explosive device intended to harm IDF soldiers in the area, and said it would continue working to kill terrorists and dismantle terrorist infrastructures in the southern Gaza Strip under the ceasefire. On Tuesday morning, the IDF began demolishing a home in Qarawat Bani Hassan, west of Salfit in the West Bank. Palestinian channels reported that 15 Palestinian families in the Alberg area of the northern Jordan Valley are dismantling their homes ahead of departure due to rising attacks by settlers. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that Israel’s decision to resume land registry in Judea and Samaria represents a move to full sovereignty and will benefit both Jews and Arabs, noting that formal land registration reduces mistakes and disputes and brings order.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, defense minister Katz cited problems in the United States and in global arms supply as reasons for Israel to produce its own weapons. He unveiled a 350 billion shekel, decade-long defense plan dubbed Shield of Israel and pledged to expand domestic production to ensure defense independence.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, you are Jew hunting: Sheffield erupts over pro-Palestinian door-knocking campaign | Watch. Police are investigating assault claims after activists urging a boycott of Israeli goods clashed with residents, as video footage circulates and authorities review whether it was edited.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, free buses to run between Ben-Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv during Shabbat for the first time. Na'im Besofash, a private bus initiative, will add a stop at Ben-Gurion Airport on line 711 to help travelers who fly on Shabbat reach Tel Aviv. Deputy Mayor Meital Lehavi described the move as not a political statement but a response to a basic social need and a step to expand freedom of movement for all citizens, while acknowledging that public transportation on Shabbat remains a contentious issue and that private lines have grown to meet demand.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Smart Shooter plans a NIS 200 million IPO amid a defense boom. The company has f