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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-25 at 16:04
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HEADLINES
US pursues endless Iran deal no sunset
PA payouts to terrorists draw sanctions threat
Airline cuts Tel Aviv flights over security
The time is now 4:03 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, the Trump administration is pursuing a nuclear deal that would last indefinitely, according to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff who spoke at a private gathering of AIPAC donors in Washington, as Axios reported. Witkoff said the administration aims to avoid a “sunset clause” to ensure there is no time limit on the deal, saying, “We start with the Iranians with the premise that there is no sunset provision. Whether we get a deal or not, our premise is: you have to behave for the rest of your lives.” In a separate note, Iran’s foreign minister warned that pressure and a buildup of force around the country will not force surrender, stating, “If the United States thinks that building up massive force around us will make us surrender, that will not happen.”
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Jerusalem Border Police and IDF troops detained terrorists in the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in the West Bank in a joint operation on Wednesday, with detainees transferred to the General Security Service for further investigation after an operation that included an attack on two hideout apartments in the camp. In Tel Aviv, the Yarkon Police Station arrested 30 undocumented immigrants along with six people suspected of illegally employing them, in an operation that involved volunteers and targeted construction sites, various businesses, restaurants and cafes, and transportation vehicles. This was the second major crackdown on undocumented workers in 2026, following a January 2 raid targeting seven businesses employing more than 50 people illegally. The operation marked the end of a week-long campaign directed by Northern District Commander Meir Eliyahu, during which hundreds of illegal immigrants were captured. Separately, cabinet discussions revealed that the Palestinian Authority transferred about half a billion shekels to terrorists in 2025 under its pay-for-slay mechanism, including 395 million to terrorists held in prison and 92 million to the families of those killed in attacks; terrorists released under hostage deals reportedly received a special grant. The transfers drew international criticism, and the Trump administration reportedly threatened sanctions; Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the PA finance minister who had signed off on the transfers as part of that effort.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival apologized and said it would review its internal processes after the Israeli Consulate withdrew its support upon learning that a student juror in the human rights category shared antisemitic and anti-Israel content. The festival acknowledged the consulate’s decision and issued a statement saying it had fallen short in assessing jurors, noting deficiencies in processes and policies related to antisemitism, BDS, and cultural boycotts. The festival also said the juror selection process had already been finalized, and the juror could not be removed ahead of the festival.
In Israeli Economy and Business, a major airline has cut Tel Aviv flights amid mounting security concerns, stating that, at this stage, operating flights to Tel Aviv is not commercially and operationally viable. In Holon, Maslaoui Construction Company decided to enter into an agreement with the owners of the Hinkain Street complex, having secured a 67 percent majority of rights as required by law to advance the urban renewal project. The plan encompasses demolishing the existing 44 units across three four-story buildings and building about 120 new units across two 12-story buildings, with roughly 13,565 square meters of living space and 5,400 square mete
US pursues endless Iran deal no sunset
PA payouts to terrorists draw sanctions threat
Airline cuts Tel Aviv flights over security
The time is now 4:03 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, the Trump administration is pursuing a nuclear deal that would last indefinitely, according to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff who spoke at a private gathering of AIPAC donors in Washington, as Axios reported. Witkoff said the administration aims to avoid a “sunset clause” to ensure there is no time limit on the deal, saying, “We start with the Iranians with the premise that there is no sunset provision. Whether we get a deal or not, our premise is: you have to behave for the rest of your lives.” In a separate note, Iran’s foreign minister warned that pressure and a buildup of force around the country will not force surrender, stating, “If the United States thinks that building up massive force around us will make us surrender, that will not happen.”
In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Jerusalem Border Police and IDF troops detained terrorists in the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in the West Bank in a joint operation on Wednesday, with detainees transferred to the General Security Service for further investigation after an operation that included an attack on two hideout apartments in the camp. In Tel Aviv, the Yarkon Police Station arrested 30 undocumented immigrants along with six people suspected of illegally employing them, in an operation that involved volunteers and targeted construction sites, various businesses, restaurants and cafes, and transportation vehicles. This was the second major crackdown on undocumented workers in 2026, following a January 2 raid targeting seven businesses employing more than 50 people illegally. The operation marked the end of a week-long campaign directed by Northern District Commander Meir Eliyahu, during which hundreds of illegal immigrants were captured. Separately, cabinet discussions revealed that the Palestinian Authority transferred about half a billion shekels to terrorists in 2025 under its pay-for-slay mechanism, including 395 million to terrorists held in prison and 92 million to the families of those killed in attacks; terrorists released under hostage deals reportedly received a special grant. The transfers drew international criticism, and the Trump administration reportedly threatened sanctions; Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the PA finance minister who had signed off on the transfers as part of that effort.
In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival apologized and said it would review its internal processes after the Israeli Consulate withdrew its support upon learning that a student juror in the human rights category shared antisemitic and anti-Israel content. The festival acknowledged the consulate’s decision and issued a statement saying it had fallen short in assessing jurors, noting deficiencies in processes and policies related to antisemitism, BDS, and cultural boycotts. The festival also said the juror selection process had already been finalized, and the juror could not be removed ahead of the festival.
In Israeli Economy and Business, a major airline has cut Tel Aviv flights amid mounting security concerns, stating that, at this stage, operating flights to Tel Aviv is not commercially and operationally viable. In Holon, Maslaoui Construction Company decided to enter into an agreement with the owners of the Hinkain Street complex, having secured a 67 percent majority of rights as required by law to advance the urban renewal project. The plan encompasses demolishing the existing 44 units across three four-story buildings and building about 120 new units across two 12-story buildings, with roughly 13,565 square meters of living space and 5,400 square mete