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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-18 at 10:02
Published 1 week, 4 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
Iran fortifies Parchin complex amid nuclear risk
Israel keeps Hamas offensive Area C moves
NYC Mayor Mamdani invitation denied by WZO
The time is now 10:02 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, satellite imagery in recent months shows Iran repairing and reinforcing key military and nuclear facilities, including sites reportedly targeted by Israeli and US strikes, underscoring efforts to protect sensitive infrastructure amid heightened tensions. At the Parchin military complex — previously struck in October 2024 — images show a new structure covered with concrete and soil to limit aerial visibility. Analysts say the site may include a high-explosives containment vessel, a component with relevance to both conventional and potential nuclear weapons development.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the IDF will stay on the offensive against Hamas, with Brigadier-General Yuval Gaz telling leaders from the northern border region that the military plans to keep attacking Hamas and to preempt as needed, saying the army can act immediately and is distributed along the border and deep into the territory. Gaz emphasized that the aim is to confront the enemy, not civilians, while noting readiness to handle different scenarios. The session comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to meet at 10 p.m. for a discussion prompted by Britain's foreign secretary on the Israeli government’s West Bank policies to entrench control in the area. British, Pakistani, Indonesian, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Bahraini foreign ministers are expected to participate, with Israel represented by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The talks follow Israel’s move to reopen land registration in Area C for the first time since 1967 and a series of new policies aimed at simplifying property acquisition for Jewish Israelis in Areas A and B, announced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the World Zionist Organization’s Yaakov Hagoel says he has “no authority” to invite New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to march in the Israel Day Parade, a claim echoed by Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis, who said Hagoel’s invitation cannot be acted on by him. Hagoel had proposed the invitation during a Jerusalem conference and said he would reiterate it in person if a meeting with Mamdani occurs in New York, noting he wrote to Mamdani on International Holocaust Memorial Day and that Mamdani did not respond. Separately, former president Trump has urged Tucker Carlson to ease the internal conservative debate over Israel to prevent fractures within the Republican stance, describing an effort to turn down the temperature as Carlson prepares to speak with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in Jerusalem. In addition, an opinion piece on a Super Bowl advertisement argues that the commercial meant to counter Jew-hatred fell short, portraying Jewish strength in a way that some readers feel misfired and did not effectively advance unity or understanding.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana asserts that Yair Lapid intends to harm Israel’s foreign relations with a key ally, urging Lapid to address his position and explaining his stance in discussions with foreign representatives, including the Indian embassy, as part of the ongoing political dispute over how Israel engages with its international partners.
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
Iran fortifies Parchin complex amid nuclear risk
Israel keeps Hamas offensive Area C moves
NYC Mayor Mamdani invitation denied by WZO
The time is now 10:02 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, satellite imagery in recent months shows Iran repairing and reinforcing key military and nuclear facilities, including sites reportedly targeted by Israeli and US strikes, underscoring efforts to protect sensitive infrastructure amid heightened tensions. At the Parchin military complex — previously struck in October 2024 — images show a new structure covered with concrete and soil to limit aerial visibility. Analysts say the site may include a high-explosives containment vessel, a component with relevance to both conventional and potential nuclear weapons development.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the IDF will stay on the offensive against Hamas, with Brigadier-General Yuval Gaz telling leaders from the northern border region that the military plans to keep attacking Hamas and to preempt as needed, saying the army can act immediately and is distributed along the border and deep into the territory. Gaz emphasized that the aim is to confront the enemy, not civilians, while noting readiness to handle different scenarios. The session comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to meet at 10 p.m. for a discussion prompted by Britain's foreign secretary on the Israeli government’s West Bank policies to entrench control in the area. British, Pakistani, Indonesian, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Bahraini foreign ministers are expected to participate, with Israel represented by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The talks follow Israel’s move to reopen land registration in Area C for the first time since 1967 and a series of new policies aimed at simplifying property acquisition for Jewish Israelis in Areas A and B, announced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the World Zionist Organization’s Yaakov Hagoel says he has “no authority” to invite New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to march in the Israel Day Parade, a claim echoed by Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis, who said Hagoel’s invitation cannot be acted on by him. Hagoel had proposed the invitation during a Jerusalem conference and said he would reiterate it in person if a meeting with Mamdani occurs in New York, noting he wrote to Mamdani on International Holocaust Memorial Day and that Mamdani did not respond. Separately, former president Trump has urged Tucker Carlson to ease the internal conservative debate over Israel to prevent fractures within the Republican stance, describing an effort to turn down the temperature as Carlson prepares to speak with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in Jerusalem. In addition, an opinion piece on a Super Bowl advertisement argues that the commercial meant to counter Jew-hatred fell short, portraying Jewish strength in a way that some readers feel misfired and did not effectively advance unity or understanding.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana asserts that Yair Lapid intends to harm Israel’s foreign relations with a key ally, urging Lapid to address his position and explaining his stance in discussions with foreign representatives, including the Indian embassy, as part of the ongoing political dispute over how Israel engages with its international partners.
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