Episode Details

HEADLINES
- Israel denies US claims on Lebanon withdrawal
- Netanyahu testifies in defamation suit over health
- El Al pauses Tel Aviv Moscow service

The time is now 6:01 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, Israel denies US State Dept. claims of IDF withdrawal from Lebanon buffer zone, sources say. A US State Department official said Israel had withdrawn from parts of the buffer zones in southern Lebanon and suggested the Lebanese Armed Forces should move in to verify. Two Israeli Defense Forces sources denied the reports. A senior Lebanese security official said he was unaware of any withdrawal and described Israel’s action as a concrete step, adding that the Lebanese Armed Forces should enter the area to verify and clear out weapons and infrastructure, with the model potentially repeated across South Lebanon to enable the safe return of displaced families and the restoration of Lebanese sovereignty. This is a developing story.

In the Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu testifies in defamation trial over journalist claims regarding his health and fitness. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to testify in a NIS 500,000 defamation lawsuit involving protest activist and journalist plaintiffs. The evidentiary hearing is before Ramle Magistrate’s Court President Judge Menahem Mizrahi at the Tel Aviv District Court building, where the case was moved for security reasons. Thursday’s session resumes Netanyahu’s testimony from May, which was cut short. The suit concerns publications about Netanyahu’s health and fitness to serve, and an alleged meeting with former IDF Major-General (Reserve) Amiram Levin. The claim alleges that one plaintiff wrote on social media that Netanyahu had pancreatic cancer and urged public disclosure of his medical condition. Netanyahu denies having pancreatic cancer and argues the publication is false and defamatory. The claim also cites posts questioning Netanyahu’s appearance, speech, medical treatment, and hospital visits. Caspit is sued over a report.

In the Israeli Economy and Business, דוברות אל על: בשל ההתפתחויות בין רוסיה לאוקראינה והאירועים התעופתיים האחרונים באזור, חברת אל על נאלצת להשהות את פעילותה בקו ת״א-מוסקבה לימים הקרובים. במהלך השבוע הבא תתבצע הערכת מצב מחודשת ובהתאם יוחלט אם תחודש הפעילות בקו. הנוסעים יעודכנו על כך ותתאפשר להם בחירה בין חלופות שונות בהתאם לדין. El Al says developments between Russia and Ukraine and recent regional aviation events necessitate pausing operations on the Tel Aviv–Moscow route for coming days, with a reassessment next week to decide whether to resume service. Passengers will be updated and offered alternatives in accordance with the law.

In the Uplifting News, Armed reserve veteran suffering from PTSD safely disarmed after standoff in Netivot home. An individual described as having PTSD locked himself in a Netivot home with a handgun and threatened suicide. Advanced-Staff-Sergeant Major Ariel Morzhanov, a crisis negotiator who helped resolve the October 7 crisis, arrived to manage dialogue and de-escalate the situation. Police and the local policing unit conducted the response, with the negotiation team deployed and Yamam forces on standby as a possible intervention. The discussions led to the individual being disarmed without harming anyone.

In the Uplifting News, Israel offers support to Venezuela following earthquake, preparing to send rescue teams. The Foreign Ministry said it is conducting a situation assessment and examining options to assist Venezuela after the earthquakes. A magnitude 7.2 quake occurred offshore near Caracas, followed by a 7.5 tremor, with thousands expected to be affected. KKL-JNF announced it is preparing aid totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels for Venezuela’s Jewish communities, including support for families evacuated from their homes.