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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-19 at 07:02
Published 1 week, 3 days ago
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HEADLINES
US mounts largest Middle East air presence
UN warns of Gaza ethnic cleansing risk
Gaza War Cemetery damaged during tunnel operation
The time is now 7:01 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, US forces have shifted to the largest air presence in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, with a substantial number of fighter jets and support aircraft deployed in recent days. A new assessment indicates that President Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to launch an attack on Iran, and if so, what its aim would be—whether to halt Iran's nuclear program, damage its ballistic missile array, or attempt to destabilize Tehran. The deployments include advanced F-35 and F-22 fighters, along with command-and-control planes and electronic warfare aircraft. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is in the theater, and a second carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is en route with its strike group. Advanced air defenses have been positioned. Officials say this posture would enable a prolonged aerial campaign lasting weeks or months should a decision be made.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a United Nations rights office report accuses the IDF, Hamas, and other Palestinian groups of serious violations during the Gaza conflict, including possible ethnic cleansing and the mistreatment of hostages. The 17-page document covers events from November 2024 through October 31, 2025, and raises concerns about a demographic shift in Gaza. It calls for accountability for possible international crimes by Hamas and its armed wings as well as other Palestinian groups. Israel's permanent mission in Geneva rejected the report, saying the UN office has engaged in demonization and disinformation against the State of Israel. In a separate development, the IDF confirmed that a Gaza War Cemetery holding Commonwealth soldiers' remains was damaged during an operation to destroy Hamas tunnels beneath the site. The army said it dug 20 to 30 meters deep under the cemetery, with the work concentrated to the south of the cemetery compound and conducted with heavy machinery; questions about the matter should be addressed to the government.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, former prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized Tucker Carlson after Carlson's visit to Israel, calling him "Chickens" and accusing him of lying about harassment by Israeli security. Bennett wrote that Carlson did not set foot in the country, took a quick picture at Ben Gurion Airport's logistics zone, posted it, and then left, later claiming he was harassed by security. Bennett described Carlson's account as false and accused him of whining as he departed on his private jet.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Boaz Levy, chief executive of Israel Aerospace Industries, was awarded a prestigious honor at Afeka College's ceremony for advanced degrees in Tel Aviv, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to science, technology, the state and society. Under Levy's leadership, the company has earned Israel Security prizes for groundbreaking projects that support the defense establishment, and on Israel's 76th Independence Day he lit the beacon of the defense industries in Israel.
In Uplifting News, Hananel Gez is engaged nine months after his wife Tzeela was killed in a West Bank terror attack as they were en route to the hospital for the birth of their fourth child. The baby, Ravid Chaim, was delivered after the attack but died two weeks later. Gez said he is engaged and shared their joy.
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
US mounts largest Middle East air presence
UN warns of Gaza ethnic cleansing risk
Gaza War Cemetery damaged during tunnel operation
The time is now 7:01 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, US forces have shifted to the largest air presence in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, with a substantial number of fighter jets and support aircraft deployed in recent days. A new assessment indicates that President Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to launch an attack on Iran, and if so, what its aim would be—whether to halt Iran's nuclear program, damage its ballistic missile array, or attempt to destabilize Tehran. The deployments include advanced F-35 and F-22 fighters, along with command-and-control planes and electronic warfare aircraft. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is in the theater, and a second carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is en route with its strike group. Advanced air defenses have been positioned. Officials say this posture would enable a prolonged aerial campaign lasting weeks or months should a decision be made.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a United Nations rights office report accuses the IDF, Hamas, and other Palestinian groups of serious violations during the Gaza conflict, including possible ethnic cleansing and the mistreatment of hostages. The 17-page document covers events from November 2024 through October 31, 2025, and raises concerns about a demographic shift in Gaza. It calls for accountability for possible international crimes by Hamas and its armed wings as well as other Palestinian groups. Israel's permanent mission in Geneva rejected the report, saying the UN office has engaged in demonization and disinformation against the State of Israel. In a separate development, the IDF confirmed that a Gaza War Cemetery holding Commonwealth soldiers' remains was damaged during an operation to destroy Hamas tunnels beneath the site. The army said it dug 20 to 30 meters deep under the cemetery, with the work concentrated to the south of the cemetery compound and conducted with heavy machinery; questions about the matter should be addressed to the government.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, former prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized Tucker Carlson after Carlson's visit to Israel, calling him "Chickens" and accusing him of lying about harassment by Israeli security. Bennett wrote that Carlson did not set foot in the country, took a quick picture at Ben Gurion Airport's logistics zone, posted it, and then left, later claiming he was harassed by security. Bennett described Carlson's account as false and accused him of whining as he departed on his private jet.
In Israeli Economy and Business, Boaz Levy, chief executive of Israel Aerospace Industries, was awarded a prestigious honor at Afeka College's ceremony for advanced degrees in Tel Aviv, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to science, technology, the state and society. Under Levy's leadership, the company has earned Israel Security prizes for groundbreaking projects that support the defense establishment, and on Israel's 76th Independence Day he lit the beacon of the defense industries in Israel.
In Uplifting News, Hananel Gez is engaged nine months after his wife Tzeela was killed in a West Bank terror attack as they were en route to the hospital for the birth of their fourth child. The baby, Ravid Chaim, was delivered after the attack but died two weeks later. Gez said he is engaged and shared their joy.
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