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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-24 at 03:02
Published 2 days, 20 hours ago
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HEADLINES
Trump confronts Iran tensions ahead of SOTU
West Bank moves labeled de facto annexation
Qatar tops foreign funding to U.S. universities
The time is now 3:01 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, Trump faces a fraught moment as tensions with Iran rise and midterm pressures mount. He is set to deliver the traditional State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday at a moment when his approval ratings are slipping, anxiety over Iran is rising, and Americans are feeling the cost of living as the November midterm election nears. The televised prime-time address, his second in 13 months since returning to the White House, offers him a chance to persuade voters to keep Republicans in power. The period has also seen a Supreme Court ruling invalidating his global tariff regime, data showing the economy slowing more than expected with inflation accelerating, and a dispute that has left the Department of Homeland Security largely shut down over immigration policy. In addition, Trump has faced questions over the handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Separately, reports describe Trump weighing a dramatic show of force in Iran as US forces mass in the Middle East; a vehicle-mounted machine gun was spotted near Tehran during protests, and officials say the President is growing frustrated with the limits of military options while commanders warn against a prolonged conflict.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), foreign ministers condemned Israeli West Bank measures as unlawful expansion. The joint statement, issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry and signed by ministers from Brazil, France, Spain, Turkey and others, argued that changes reclassify Palestinian land as state land, accelerate illegal settlement activity, and entrench Israeli administration. Signatories included Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and leaders of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Israel’s cabinet on February 15 approved further steps to tighten control over the West Bank and ease land purchases by settlers, a move Palestinians described as de facto annexation. The West Bank is among the territories Palestinians seek for an independent future state. Much of it remains under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Palestinian Authority. A separate report from Itamar notes a 23-year-old man was moderately injured after falling about two meters at a construction site; medics treated him and evacuated him to Beilinson Hospital with injuries to the lower limbs.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Trump administration is stepping up efforts to uncover what it calls malignant foreign influence at US universities. The Department of Education said Qatar was the largest foreign source of funding to American universities in 2025, and the State Department will assist the Education Department in this effort. President Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to universities over issues such as pro-Palestinian protests against the Gaza War, transgender policies, climate initiatives, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, raising concerns about free speech and academic freedom. In April 2025, Trump issued an executive order enforcing Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires colleges that receive federal funding to report gifts or contracts worth more than $250,000 from any foreign source. In December, the Education Department launched a new portal for universities to report that funding. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers said the State Department's new role would help ensure compliance.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, אחרי הכישלון בהצבעה: התוכנית להקדמת הבחירות והמחיר שישלמו התלמידים, the discussion centers on moving elections earlier
Trump confronts Iran tensions ahead of SOTU
West Bank moves labeled de facto annexation
Qatar tops foreign funding to U.S. universities
The time is now 3:01 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, Trump faces a fraught moment as tensions with Iran rise and midterm pressures mount. He is set to deliver the traditional State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday at a moment when his approval ratings are slipping, anxiety over Iran is rising, and Americans are feeling the cost of living as the November midterm election nears. The televised prime-time address, his second in 13 months since returning to the White House, offers him a chance to persuade voters to keep Republicans in power. The period has also seen a Supreme Court ruling invalidating his global tariff regime, data showing the economy slowing more than expected with inflation accelerating, and a dispute that has left the Department of Homeland Security largely shut down over immigration policy. In addition, Trump has faced questions over the handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Separately, reports describe Trump weighing a dramatic show of force in Iran as US forces mass in the Middle East; a vehicle-mounted machine gun was spotted near Tehran during protests, and officials say the President is growing frustrated with the limits of military options while commanders warn against a prolonged conflict.
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), foreign ministers condemned Israeli West Bank measures as unlawful expansion. The joint statement, issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry and signed by ministers from Brazil, France, Spain, Turkey and others, argued that changes reclassify Palestinian land as state land, accelerate illegal settlement activity, and entrench Israeli administration. Signatories included Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and leaders of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Israel’s cabinet on February 15 approved further steps to tighten control over the West Bank and ease land purchases by settlers, a move Palestinians described as de facto annexation. The West Bank is among the territories Palestinians seek for an independent future state. Much of it remains under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Palestinian Authority. A separate report from Itamar notes a 23-year-old man was moderately injured after falling about two meters at a construction site; medics treated him and evacuated him to Beilinson Hospital with injuries to the lower limbs.
In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Trump administration is stepping up efforts to uncover what it calls malignant foreign influence at US universities. The Department of Education said Qatar was the largest foreign source of funding to American universities in 2025, and the State Department will assist the Education Department in this effort. President Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to universities over issues such as pro-Palestinian protests against the Gaza War, transgender policies, climate initiatives, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, raising concerns about free speech and academic freedom. In April 2025, Trump issued an executive order enforcing Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires colleges that receive federal funding to report gifts or contracts worth more than $250,000 from any foreign source. In December, the Education Department launched a new portal for universities to report that funding. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers said the State Department's new role would help ensure compliance.
In Israeli Domestic Politics, אחרי הכישלון בהצבעה: התוכנית להקדמת הבחירות והמחיר שישלמו התלמידים, the discussion centers on moving elections earlier