Episode Details

HEADLINES
Jenin Refugee Camp Abandoned After IDF Push
Democrats Back Block on Israeli Arms Sales
Iran Uranium for Twelve Bombs Ceasefire Shaky

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the Jenin refugee camp in Judea and Samaria / the West Bank, once a hub for terrorism, is now largely abandoned after fifteen months of IDF operations.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a fragile ceasefire has allowed daily life to resume in Israel, with schools reopening and air raid sirens waning, even as tensions and uncertainty persist amid stalled talks with Iran. On the northern front, rockets and missiles from Lebanon triggered alarms in Kfar Giladi, underscoring the ongoing threat from regional proxies. A nuclear expert cited in the reporting warned Iran possesses uranium sufficient for as many as twelve bombs and stressed it remains under air surveillance, while Israel faces continuing security concerns in the region. The broader picture remains unsettled: officials question how long the lull will last as discussions about a broader settlement continue. Separately, reports note a deadly incident in Beit Shemesh involving a vehicle, and the demolition of a building in Arad, with broader commentary on Israel-Lebanon diplomacy and high-level recognition of Netanyahu’s world rankings, as leaders in the region navigate firefights and negotiations. Israeli forces are also reported to be pursuing Hezbollah operatives across southern Lebanon, highlighting the persistent operational strain along the border.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a majority of Democratic senators backed measures intended to block arms sales to Israel, a shift in a historically bipartisan stance. Senators supporting Bernie Sanders’ resolutions included roughly 85% of the Democratic caucus for the bid to halt the sale of bulldozers valued at about $295 million and, separately, to阻 halt transfers of $152 million in 1,000-pound bombs. While the measures advanced in the Senate, they ultimately did not pass, largely due to Republican opposition, leaving the arms deals intact. Sanders and supporters argued the moves reflect growing domestic concern over continued Israeli military operations, while opponents stressed strategic alliances and security assurances.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, TIME Magazine named Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu among the 2026 TIME100 Most Influential People, in what editorials describe as a political comeback following the Hamas attack on October 7 that reshaped his career. TIME’s feature portrays Netanyahu’s return to prominence as a comeback potentially surpassing other recent political renaissances, noting his impact alongside global leaders and figures in the Leaders category.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, photos of Nazis with red markings were left at the entrance of Haifa’s District Health Bureau on Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Health Ministry said the materials were removed immediately, the incident was referred to police, and normal bureau operations continued. Authorities did not identify suspects. The Health Ministry condemned such acts as threats against public workers, and President Isaac Herzog remarked that antisemitism remains a global concern, urging world leaders to act.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Mega Group’s Mega DC unit has cash-purchased the land division of the former Elians plant in Hadera for about 1 billion shekels. The transaction covers roughly 180 dunams of land with about 95,000 square meters of active buildings and infrastructure, including an electrical substation, high and extra-high voltage connections, and a natural gas hookup. The site previously housed Elians, a tire manufacturer serving agricultural and industrial clients across dozens of countries, which ceased operations at the end of 2024.