Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-16 at 17:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-16 at 17:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-16 at 17:07

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 HEADLINESGaza Ground Offensive Aims to Free HostagesIran-Backed Houthis Fire, Israel InterceptsEisenkot Unveils Yashar! Security PlatformThe time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At 1:00 PM, the region remains in a high state of alert as Israel presses the ground phase in Gaza City, part of what the defense establishment calls a mission to free hostages and dismantle Hamas’ governing and military capabilities. The Israeli army’s top commander told cabinet colleagues that the operation carries both risks and opportunities, and that Israel is acting within international law while doing all it can to minimize civilian harm. Inside Gaza City, the 98th Infantry Division has begun large-scale ground activity in the heart of the city, backed by air and sea support, and is striking a network of terror infrastructure, command posts, and weapons depots as it moves to reshape the battlefield in favor of the hostages’ release and the defeat of Hamas’ urban command and control.Across multiple fronts, the security picture remains volatile. Earlier today, missiles launched from Yemen by Iran’s Houthi movement prompted sirens across Jerusalem and much of central Israel before interceptors neutralized the threat. The volley followed a string of raids by the Israeli Air Force on Hodeidah port in Yemen, as part of a broader campaign aimed at degrading the Houthis’ ability to strike into Israeli territory. In the air and at sea, Israel has pressed onward with strikes in Gaza and northern Lebanon, including operations against Hezbollah targets in the Nabatieh region and near Yatir, as it maintains pressure on threats on its borders.In a separate front, Israel moved to disrupt illicit financing linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, ordering seizures of 187 cryptocurrency wallets attributed to IRGC networks. While a private blockchain analytics firm cautioned that it cannot always verify direct links, the action signals a broadened approach to strangling funding streams that support destabilizing activities in the region.Diplomatically, Israel and Hungary signed a space cooperation agreement described by officials as a milestone in their growing partnership. President Isaac Herzog conducted consultations with ambassadors from the European Union and the Baltic states, stressing the importance of continuing dialogue with Turkey while insisting Gaza not be allowed to become a humanitarian excuse for inaction. Herzog reaffirmed Israel’s stance against famine narratives in Gaza and pressed for progress on the hostage issue, underscoring the need for international coordination to secure a durable settlement.In the realm of domestic politics, former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has formed a new political vehicle, a party named Yashar! With Eisenkot, signaling an emphasis on national unity and governance as the country faces a tense security environment and a protracted war. The move adds a new element to the opposition landscape ahead of elections due no later than 2026, with Eisenkot highlighting a commitment to security and integrity as central to his platform.The financial technology sector is meanwhile pushing forward with a major domestic development. Israel’s latest fully digital bank, Esh Bank, plans to launch zero-fee accounts for retail customers and small businesses in early 2026, sharing half of its interest revenue with depositors. The bank will operate without traditional branches and will be supervised by the Bank of Israel, underscoring a broader push to increase competition in a market long dominated by a handful of large lenders.On the Syrian front, Damascus announced the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the country’s southern regions, a move described as part of a roadmap toward restoring calm after recent sectarian violence and amid discussions of a demilitarized zone along the border with Israel. The development comes as the Assad government seeks regional arrangements to stabilize the south and reduce external pressure on the regime.Within Gaza, the ground action has been accompanied by ongoing air strikes that have targeted hundreds of targets over the past week, including what military officials describe as terrorist infrastructure and compounds used by Hamas. Observers note that the operation is being conducted under a broader strategy that prioritizes hostage recovery and the degradation of Hamas’ governance and military capabilities in Gaza City, while attempting to minimize civilian harm through strict adherence to international law and precise targeting.In other security developments, Israeli forces reported successful operations against militants in the West Bank as part of a broader effort to curb transverse networks of violence. In Kalkilia, two militants were confirmed neutralized in a precision operation involving elite units and coordination with security services, with additional suspects detained for further ...
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