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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-17 at 14:02
Published 1 week, 5 days ago
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HEADLINES
- Iran Floats Enrichment Freeze for Three Years
- US Deploys 50 Jets to Middle East
- Hezbollah Rejects State Controlled Armed Groups Plan
The time is now 2:02 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, two pivotal events in 2025 have shifted the strategic landscape, and Tehran now appears to be negotiating from a weakened position. Iran has floated a plan to freeze uranium enrichment for three years and move its highly enriched uranium out of the country in exchange for lifting financial sanctions, a proposal aired during Geneva talks. Observers note that the balance of power shifted after Israel and the United States destroyed much of Tehran’s operational nuclear program and dealt a heavy blow to its missile and air-defense capabilities, with senior scientists and commanders killed in the strikes. The result, analysts say, is a Tehran that remains confident in its rhetoric but relies on a line of negotiation that many regard as out of step with the current reality. In Lebanon, Hezbollah rejected a government plan to bring armed groups under state control, saying the move would serve Israeli interests; the army was tasked in 2025 to begin implementing disarmament, but no firm timetable was set, and Hezbollah’s leadership warned against the effort. In Washington and at the talks, a post from a Republican Senate account cited Iranian threats and suggested that threatening the United States is not a wise move. The IAEA’s first report since the 12‑Day War shows Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium rising to about 441 kilograms by June 12, 2025, with the agency noting it has not had access since the conflict began to verify current stockpiles or sites.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States has stepped up a military posture near Iran, moving more than 50 fighter jets—the bulk F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s—into the Middle East in the last day as part of a broader air and naval buildup. This move accompanies indirect negotiations with Iranian officials, in which a US official said progress was made in Geneva and that Iran would return in two weeks with detailed proposals to close gaps in our positions. Reports also indicate the USS Gerald R. Ford could be deployed to bolster forces in the region ahead of any anticipated escalation as talks continue, underscoring a high-stakes effort to deter conflict while diplomacy proceeds.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Lod District Court ruling reinstated sweeping restrictions on Prime Minister’s Office chief of staff Tzachi Braverman, including a renewed travel ban that prevents him from leaving Israel to assume the post as ambassador to the United Kingdom, with the court saying the suspicion against him has strengthened. Braverman’s appointment had been approved in December 2025, and his letter of appointment was signed December 9, 2025; the ruling notes the investigation centers on a late-night 2024 Kirya meeting and concerns over obstruction of justice, handling of classified information, and fraud. Separately, ultra-Orthodox rioters remain in custody after clashes with police following weekend demonstrations; four suspects’ detentions were extended, and one additional suspect aged 12 was granted conditional release. Police also reported on Monday that they had provided a new tefillin and siddur to an officer whose own tefillin, siddur, and cell phone were destroyed during the riots, while two female soldiers were rescued from a mob in Bnei Brak.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Israeli suppliers report a surge in demand for sweets, soft drinks, and energy drinks flowing to Gaza in the run-up to Ramadan. A large Israeli candy manufacturer told Walla that demand has reached levels not seen before as importers seek goods for Gaza, with volumes arriving well ahead of expiry in many cases. Since the Gaza ceasefire
- Iran Floats Enrichment Freeze for Three Years
- US Deploys 50 Jets to Middle East
- Hezbollah Rejects State Controlled Armed Groups Plan
The time is now 2:02 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, two pivotal events in 2025 have shifted the strategic landscape, and Tehran now appears to be negotiating from a weakened position. Iran has floated a plan to freeze uranium enrichment for three years and move its highly enriched uranium out of the country in exchange for lifting financial sanctions, a proposal aired during Geneva talks. Observers note that the balance of power shifted after Israel and the United States destroyed much of Tehran’s operational nuclear program and dealt a heavy blow to its missile and air-defense capabilities, with senior scientists and commanders killed in the strikes. The result, analysts say, is a Tehran that remains confident in its rhetoric but relies on a line of negotiation that many regard as out of step with the current reality. In Lebanon, Hezbollah rejected a government plan to bring armed groups under state control, saying the move would serve Israeli interests; the army was tasked in 2025 to begin implementing disarmament, but no firm timetable was set, and Hezbollah’s leadership warned against the effort. In Washington and at the talks, a post from a Republican Senate account cited Iranian threats and suggested that threatening the United States is not a wise move. The IAEA’s first report since the 12‑Day War shows Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium rising to about 441 kilograms by June 12, 2025, with the agency noting it has not had access since the conflict began to verify current stockpiles or sites.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States has stepped up a military posture near Iran, moving more than 50 fighter jets—the bulk F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s—into the Middle East in the last day as part of a broader air and naval buildup. This move accompanies indirect negotiations with Iranian officials, in which a US official said progress was made in Geneva and that Iran would return in two weeks with detailed proposals to close gaps in our positions. Reports also indicate the USS Gerald R. Ford could be deployed to bolster forces in the region ahead of any anticipated escalation as talks continue, underscoring a high-stakes effort to deter conflict while diplomacy proceeds.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Lod District Court ruling reinstated sweeping restrictions on Prime Minister’s Office chief of staff Tzachi Braverman, including a renewed travel ban that prevents him from leaving Israel to assume the post as ambassador to the United Kingdom, with the court saying the suspicion against him has strengthened. Braverman’s appointment had been approved in December 2025, and his letter of appointment was signed December 9, 2025; the ruling notes the investigation centers on a late-night 2024 Kirya meeting and concerns over obstruction of justice, handling of classified information, and fraud. Separately, ultra-Orthodox rioters remain in custody after clashes with police following weekend demonstrations; four suspects’ detentions were extended, and one additional suspect aged 12 was granted conditional release. Police also reported on Monday that they had provided a new tefillin and siddur to an officer whose own tefillin, siddur, and cell phone were destroyed during the riots, while two female soldiers were rescued from a mob in Bnei Brak.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Israeli suppliers report a surge in demand for sweets, soft drinks, and energy drinks flowing to Gaza in the run-up to Ramadan. A large Israeli candy manufacturer told Walla that demand has reached levels not seen before as importers seek goods for Gaza, with volumes arriving well ahead of expiry in many cases. Since the Gaza ceasefire