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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-19 at 18:01
Published 1 week, 3 days ago
Description
HEADLINES
Israeli Women Describe Life Under Iran Tensions
Iran Warns UN of Retaliation Targets US
El Frenj Synagogue Restored in Damascus
The time is now 6:01 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, three Israeli women described how the June 2025 conflict with Iran affected them and their families, and how they feel now that tensions are rising again, as the world watches whether the Trump administration will carry out strikes following failed nuclear negotiations and domestic unrest. The 12 Day War in June left a deep imprint on military calculations and civilian life in Israel; casualties included 32 Israelis killed, 31 civilians among them, four of whom were children. Keren Shannon, 39, said she has prepared for emergencies by keeping 18 bottles of water under her table, stocking tuna and dried oats, acquiring rechargeable lights, and securing 40 days’ worth of food for her cat, along with a radio and a first-aid kit and a war bag by her front door. Separately, Iran replied to President Trump by letter to the United Nations, saying that if attacked, all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile power in the region would be legitimate targets within Iran’s defense, with the United States bearing full and direct responsibility for any unpredictable consequences; Iran said it did not initiate a war and cautioned that Trump’s remarks signal a real risk of aggression.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), watch as right-wing activists push resettlement efforts in Gaza. Dozens from the Nachala movement, including Otzma Yehudit lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech, entered northern Gaza in vehicles for a second time this month and vowed a Passover mass march as Israeli forces move to return them.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, the White House and policymakers weigh options regarding Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump is weighing a limited initial strike on Iran to force it to meet his nuclear-deal demands, with broader strikes possible if Tehran refuses to halt uranium enrichment. Other Western reporting described dramatic scenarios under discussion as the administration weighs its options for any potential campaign against Iran.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Hamas allegedly asked Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas to help ensure Netanyahu’s re-election in 2021. A senior Hamas official reportedly called Abbas from Qatar and urged him to join a government led by Netanyahu, arguing that Netanyahu sought calm and quiet understandings while a new government would be drawn into a Gaza operation; former prime minister Naftali Bennett publicly supported the claim, noting these are facts exposed by Amit Segal.
In Uplifting News, the restoration of the historic El-Frenj Synagogue in Damascus’ Old City has been completed after years of war-related damage, marking a rare milestone for Syria’s dwindling Jewish heritage. The project focused on repairing structural destruction while preserving the building’s original architectural and religious features. The development follows renewed attention to Syria’s Jewish sites, including a February 2025 visit by a delegation of Syrian Jews from the United States, organized by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, who toured the El-Frenj Synagogue and other heritage sites in Damascus.
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://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887313
Israeli Women Describe Life Under Iran Tensions
Iran Warns UN of Retaliation Targets US
El Frenj Synagogue Restored in Damascus
The time is now 6:01 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, three Israeli women described how the June 2025 conflict with Iran affected them and their families, and how they feel now that tensions are rising again, as the world watches whether the Trump administration will carry out strikes following failed nuclear negotiations and domestic unrest. The 12 Day War in June left a deep imprint on military calculations and civilian life in Israel; casualties included 32 Israelis killed, 31 civilians among them, four of whom were children. Keren Shannon, 39, said she has prepared for emergencies by keeping 18 bottles of water under her table, stocking tuna and dried oats, acquiring rechargeable lights, and securing 40 days’ worth of food for her cat, along with a radio and a first-aid kit and a war bag by her front door. Separately, Iran replied to President Trump by letter to the United Nations, saying that if attacked, all bases, facilities and assets of the hostile power in the region would be legitimate targets within Iran’s defense, with the United States bearing full and direct responsibility for any unpredictable consequences; Iran said it did not initiate a war and cautioned that Trump’s remarks signal a real risk of aggression.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), watch as right-wing activists push resettlement efforts in Gaza. Dozens from the Nachala movement, including Otzma Yehudit lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech, entered northern Gaza in vehicles for a second time this month and vowed a Passover mass march as Israeli forces move to return them.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, the White House and policymakers weigh options regarding Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump is weighing a limited initial strike on Iran to force it to meet his nuclear-deal demands, with broader strikes possible if Tehran refuses to halt uranium enrichment. Other Western reporting described dramatic scenarios under discussion as the administration weighs its options for any potential campaign against Iran.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, Hamas allegedly asked Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas to help ensure Netanyahu’s re-election in 2021. A senior Hamas official reportedly called Abbas from Qatar and urged him to join a government led by Netanyahu, arguing that Netanyahu sought calm and quiet understandings while a new government would be drawn into a Gaza operation; former prime minister Naftali Bennett publicly supported the claim, noting these are facts exposed by Amit Segal.
In Uplifting News, the restoration of the historic El-Frenj Synagogue in Damascus’ Old City has been completed after years of war-related damage, marking a rare milestone for Syria’s dwindling Jewish heritage. The project focused on repairing structural destruction while preserving the building’s original architectural and religious features. The development follows renewed attention to Syria’s Jewish sites, including a February 2025 visit by a delegation of Syrian Jews from the United States, organized by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, who toured the El-Frenj Synagogue and other heritage sites in Damascus.
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://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887313
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