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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-19 at 06:02
Published 1 week, 3 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
Widower Engaged Nine Months After Wife's Killing
IDF Demolishes Walid Tzabarna's House
Bennett Calls Carlson Israel Visit a Lie
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the Hamas information office published border-crossing data for Rafah covering February 2 through February 18 yesterday: 640 people exited Gaza, 508 entered, and 26 were refused. In West Bank news, Hananel Gez announced his engagement nine months after his wife Tzeela was killed in a shooting attack as the couple were en route to the hospital for the birth of their fourth child; the baby, Ravid Chaim, delivered after the attack, died two weeks later. He said they are now engaged. In Beit Umar, IDF forces from the Etzion Brigade and the Yahalom Unit overnight demolished the house of terrorist Walid Tzabarna, who, together with another terrorist, carried out the ramming and stabbing attack at the Gush junction on November 18, 2025, in which Aharon Cohen was murdered and two other civilians and a soldier were injured.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, former prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized Tucker Carlson following Carlson’s brief visit to Israel, saying Carlson did not set foot in the country and manufactured a story that he was harassed by Israeli security. Bennett, posting on X, said Carlson lied about Israel for the past two years, posted a quick photo at Ben Gurion Airport and then left, portraying himself as a serious reporter who toured Israel, while Carlson’s supporters argued he faced harassment. A parallel post echoed the sentiment, with Bennett mocking Carlson for refusing to enter Israel and for claims of detention. Separately, discussions in the security sphere touch on Iran, with a former official noting that Israel’s laser-defense system is not relevant to the next phase of fighting, as the IDF refreshes with 510 senior officers and conducts lethal strikes against Hezbollah; there is heightened vigilance in Israel and concern over an Iranian-day-of-the-doomsday scenario, said to be unlike anything previously seen, with analysts warning not to focus on aircraft carriers while the real drama could unfold in Lebanon. There is also mention that an extraordinary cabinet decision did not delay a meeting, underscoring a sense of heightened urgency surrounding Iran and regional dynamics.
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/abualiexpress/114977
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryhzivnubx
https://t.me/selena_updates/55461
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887217
https://worldisraelnews.com/chickensht-ex-israeli-pm-mocks-tucker-carlson-for-refusing-to-leave-airport-during-israel-visit/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1286746
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1286745
Widower Engaged Nine Months After Wife's Killing
IDF Demolishes Walid Tzabarna's House
Bennett Calls Carlson Israel Visit a Lie
The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the Hamas information office published border-crossing data for Rafah covering February 2 through February 18 yesterday: 640 people exited Gaza, 508 entered, and 26 were refused. In West Bank news, Hananel Gez announced his engagement nine months after his wife Tzeela was killed in a shooting attack as the couple were en route to the hospital for the birth of their fourth child; the baby, Ravid Chaim, delivered after the attack, died two weeks later. He said they are now engaged. In Beit Umar, IDF forces from the Etzion Brigade and the Yahalom Unit overnight demolished the house of terrorist Walid Tzabarna, who, together with another terrorist, carried out the ramming and stabbing attack at the Gush junction on November 18, 2025, in which Aharon Cohen was murdered and two other civilians and a soldier were injured.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, former prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized Tucker Carlson following Carlson’s brief visit to Israel, saying Carlson did not set foot in the country and manufactured a story that he was harassed by Israeli security. Bennett, posting on X, said Carlson lied about Israel for the past two years, posted a quick photo at Ben Gurion Airport and then left, portraying himself as a serious reporter who toured Israel, while Carlson’s supporters argued he faced harassment. A parallel post echoed the sentiment, with Bennett mocking Carlson for refusing to enter Israel and for claims of detention. Separately, discussions in the security sphere touch on Iran, with a former official noting that Israel’s laser-defense system is not relevant to the next phase of fighting, as the IDF refreshes with 510 senior officers and conducts lethal strikes against Hezbollah; there is heightened vigilance in Israel and concern over an Iranian-day-of-the-doomsday scenario, said to be unlike anything previously seen, with analysts warning not to focus on aircraft carriers while the real drama could unfold in Lebanon. There is also mention that an extraordinary cabinet decision did not delay a meeting, underscoring a sense of heightened urgency surrounding Iran and regional dynamics.
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/abualiexpress/114977
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryhzivnubx
https://t.me/selena_updates/55461
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887217
https://worldisraelnews.com/chickensht-ex-israeli-pm-mocks-tucker-carlson-for-refusing-to-leave-airport-during-israel-visit/
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1286746
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1286745