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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-17 at 09:02
Published 1 week, 5 days ago
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HEADLINES
Iran warns US of crushing retaliation
Child killed at Jordan Valley live-fire zone
Three Israelis hospitalized after Ko Samui assault
The time is now 9:02 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, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the United States that the strongest military power may be struck so hard that it cannot get up again, posting the remark after Washington sent aircraft carriers to the region. He pressed back against limits on Iran's missile program and criticized US interference in Tehran's affairs, arguing that deterrence is essential and that Iran will not give up its ballistic capabilities. He also referenced US statements and a declining view of the American position, saying the empire has shown irrational behavior when pressed on internal matters. Separately, parts of the Strait of Hormuz will be closed for a few hours for shipping safety as the Revolutionary Guards conduct drills in the waterway, with semi-official reports noting the move as a security precaution. The IRGC Navy commander said that the weapon that reaches the battlefield on the day of war is different from what is displayed in exercises, underscoring a focus on readiness as Iran carried out naval drills in the area. Hezbollah does not oppose a parallel set of talks with the United States aimed at a security agreement with Lebanon, according to sources cited by Al Akhbar, while the Lebanese government seeks to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani. The report also describes a parallel track in which the US would seek guarantees from Hezbollah not to act against Israel, alongside a mechanism to manage a transition period and other arrangements tied to a broader set of negotiations. Iran’s foreign minister, in remarks reported in Hebrew, said there is an understanding on the central principles in talks with the United States. In Hebrew-language reporting, another note described Iran as moving to rebuild its military capacity, including nuclear-related shelters, missile production, and smuggling networks linked to China, eight months after a prior operation, signaling a renewed push to restore its regional posture.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a Palestinian child was killed and two others were severely injured by an explosive device after playing in an IDF live-fire range in the Tirza area of the Jordan Valley. The IDF dispatched troops to the scene and provided medical treatment to the injured, while stressing that the area is a live-fire zone and entry is dangerous and prohibited. The military said it will investigate the incident as the broader security situation remains volatile in the area.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, three Israeli tourists were hospitalized after an antisemitic assault on the Thai island of Ko Samui, with the victims described as Israeli travelers beaten by individuals described as Arabs with French citizenship, highlighting a troubling flare of anti-Jewish hate abroad and prompting medical attention for those involved.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Yesh Atid MK Mickey Levy warned that Naftali Bennett’s rising poll numbers may be driven by opposition support rather than natural backing and cautioned that a stronger Bennett could align with Likud if his political position strengthens. He argued that Bennett’s current mandate gains may reflect shifts from other parties and emphasized that Bennett’s past affiliations could influence coalition calculations. In a separate development reported in Hebrew, a reserve IDF intelligence officer, Asaf Shmualavitz, filed with the Beersheba District Court to be deemed eligible for disability on mental-health grounds, a case that has drawn attention in domestic political and legal discussions.
In Israeli Economy and Business, new 2024 data
Iran warns US of crushing retaliation
Child killed at Jordan Valley live-fire zone
Three Israelis hospitalized after Ko Samui assault
The time is now 9:02 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, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the United States that the strongest military power may be struck so hard that it cannot get up again, posting the remark after Washington sent aircraft carriers to the region. He pressed back against limits on Iran's missile program and criticized US interference in Tehran's affairs, arguing that deterrence is essential and that Iran will not give up its ballistic capabilities. He also referenced US statements and a declining view of the American position, saying the empire has shown irrational behavior when pressed on internal matters. Separately, parts of the Strait of Hormuz will be closed for a few hours for shipping safety as the Revolutionary Guards conduct drills in the waterway, with semi-official reports noting the move as a security precaution. The IRGC Navy commander said that the weapon that reaches the battlefield on the day of war is different from what is displayed in exercises, underscoring a focus on readiness as Iran carried out naval drills in the area. Hezbollah does not oppose a parallel set of talks with the United States aimed at a security agreement with Lebanon, according to sources cited by Al Akhbar, while the Lebanese government seeks to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani. The report also describes a parallel track in which the US would seek guarantees from Hezbollah not to act against Israel, alongside a mechanism to manage a transition period and other arrangements tied to a broader set of negotiations. Iran’s foreign minister, in remarks reported in Hebrew, said there is an understanding on the central principles in talks with the United States. In Hebrew-language reporting, another note described Iran as moving to rebuild its military capacity, including nuclear-related shelters, missile production, and smuggling networks linked to China, eight months after a prior operation, signaling a renewed push to restore its regional posture.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a Palestinian child was killed and two others were severely injured by an explosive device after playing in an IDF live-fire range in the Tirza area of the Jordan Valley. The IDF dispatched troops to the scene and provided medical treatment to the injured, while stressing that the area is a live-fire zone and entry is dangerous and prohibited. The military said it will investigate the incident as the broader security situation remains volatile in the area.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, three Israeli tourists were hospitalized after an antisemitic assault on the Thai island of Ko Samui, with the victims described as Israeli travelers beaten by individuals described as Arabs with French citizenship, highlighting a troubling flare of anti-Jewish hate abroad and prompting medical attention for those involved.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Yesh Atid MK Mickey Levy warned that Naftali Bennett’s rising poll numbers may be driven by opposition support rather than natural backing and cautioned that a stronger Bennett could align with Likud if his political position strengthens. He argued that Bennett’s current mandate gains may reflect shifts from other parties and emphasized that Bennett’s past affiliations could influence coalition calculations. In a separate development reported in Hebrew, a reserve IDF intelligence officer, Asaf Shmualavitz, filed with the Beersheba District Court to be deemed eligible for disability on mental-health grounds, a case that has drawn attention in domestic political and legal discussions.
In Israeli Economy and Business, new 2024 data