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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-18 at 21:01
Published 1 week, 4 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
US weighs Iran strike options; Russia warns
IDF hits Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon
Trump launches Gaza peace board, pledges $5B
The time is now 9:01 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, President Trump has been briefed on several options to strike Iran, including a campaign to kill Iranian political and military leaders with the aim of overthrowing the government, as well as a limited air attack targeting nuclear and ballistic-missile facilities; both would likely involve a weeks-long operation. A Russian response published in interviews warned that any new US strike would have serious consequences and urged restraint to allow Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear program, noting past strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and warnings of a nuclear incident; officials said no one wants to see higher tensions and such actions could undo recent regional gains. The crisis is framed as deterrence by demonstration, with a massive US force buildup in the region including carrier strike groups, bomber rotations, layered missile defenses, and sustained logistics air bridges to signal deterrence; the aim is to show Washington’s ability to project overwhelming power in the Middle East while maintaining readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Separately, the IDF continues strikes on Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Trump kicks off his Board of Peace with an eye on Gaza and beyond. He gathers about two dozen world leaders or senior officials in Washington for the meeting, including several authoritarian-leaning allies, while many European democrats are not present. The Board of Peace follows a ceasefire negotiated last October to halt two years of devastating war in Gaza, and officials say the plan has moved into a second phase with a focus on disarming Hamas. Gaza health authorities say at least 601 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the truce began. At the meeting, Trump is expected to pledge more than $5 billion for Gaza, where the vast majority of buildings lie in rubble, as part of the broader effort to stabilize the area.
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://t.me/DefenderDome/18118
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/02/russias-lavrov-warns-against-any-new-us-strike-iran
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/68907
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/68906
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/02/trump-kicks-his-board-peace-eye-gaza-and-beyond
US weighs Iran strike options; Russia warns
IDF hits Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon
Trump launches Gaza peace board, pledges $5B
The time is now 9:01 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, President Trump has been briefed on several options to strike Iran, including a campaign to kill Iranian political and military leaders with the aim of overthrowing the government, as well as a limited air attack targeting nuclear and ballistic-missile facilities; both would likely involve a weeks-long operation. A Russian response published in interviews warned that any new US strike would have serious consequences and urged restraint to allow Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear program, noting past strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and warnings of a nuclear incident; officials said no one wants to see higher tensions and such actions could undo recent regional gains. The crisis is framed as deterrence by demonstration, with a massive US force buildup in the region including carrier strike groups, bomber rotations, layered missile defenses, and sustained logistics air bridges to signal deterrence; the aim is to show Washington’s ability to project overwhelming power in the Middle East while maintaining readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Separately, the IDF continues strikes on Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Trump kicks off his Board of Peace with an eye on Gaza and beyond. He gathers about two dozen world leaders or senior officials in Washington for the meeting, including several authoritarian-leaning allies, while many European democrats are not present. The Board of Peace follows a ceasefire negotiated last October to halt two years of devastating war in Gaza, and officials say the plan has moved into a second phase with a focus on disarming Hamas. Gaza health authorities say at least 601 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the truce began. At the meeting, Trump is expected to pledge more than $5 billion for Gaza, where the vast majority of buildings lie in rubble, as part of the broader effort to stabilize the area.
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://t.me/DefenderDome/18118
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/02/russias-lavrov-warns-against-any-new-us-strike-iran
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/68907
https://t.me/beholdisraelchannel/68906
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/02/trump-kicks-his-board-peace-eye-gaza-and-beyond