Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-11 at 21:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-11 at 21:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-11 at 21:07

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 HEADLINESIsraeli judo team expelled after antisemitic chantsIsrael hits Hezbollah storage near Kfar BeitIran protests 500 dead as internet blockedThe time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good afternoon. At 4:00 PM, a set of interconnected developments shapes the security and diplomatic outlook across the Middle East and its periphery.In Poland, an Israeli youth judo team reported an antisemitic incident during a competition in Bielsko-Biała. Israel’s embassy in Poland said the Israeli delegation, about 90 athletes aged 7 to 16 from three clubs, faced verbal abuse and physical intimidation, with reports of antisemitic chants. Polish authorities and local media offered different accounts. Organizers expelled the entire Israeli delegation, and the team retreated to their hotel for safety. The embassy called on Polish authorities to investigate promptly and to ensure the team’s safety. Police reported no formal complaints filed at that moment, while some Polish outlets suggested blame lay with the Israeli coach rather than the spectators. The episode underscored ongoing concerns about antisemitism in sports and the need for robust protection for visiting teams.In southern Lebanon, Israel conducted major airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in two waves, hitting facilities used to store weapons and an underground storage site near Kfar Beit. A Hezbollah operative near Bint Jbeil was reported targeted after evacuation warnings were issued. Lebanese state media described damage in several towns; Israel said the strikes were in response to repeated Hezbollah violations of ceasefire understandings. The Israeli military said it would continue to act to remove threats and safeguard civilians. The Lebanese government later indicated some disarmament progress south of the Litani, but Israel cautioned that Hezbollah remains ready to rearm at a pace the Jewish state views as insufficient to guarantee lasting security. Across the border, Hezbollah’s posture remains a central variable in the fragile ceasefire arrangement that has framed border security for years.In Iran, nationwide protests persist amid severe economic pressure and political grievances. Human-rights organizations report more than 500 deaths in two weeks of unrest, with the government enforcing a wide crackdown and restricting internet access in large parts of the country. Iran has declared three days of public mourning. The United Nations secretary-general condemned the violence and urged restraint and access to information for protesters. Tehran warned of possible retaliation against US bases if Washington intervenes. Israel said it is monitoring the situation closely and stands with Iranians seeking freedom, while remaining ready to respond to any direct threat to its security. In Washington, officials weigh options for supporting Iranian protesters, including cybersecurity measures and other forms of assistance, as part of a broader debate about the appropriate level and timing of any external involvement. The developments in Iran are shaping regional calculations, with policymakers watching for signs of escalation or potential openings for greater strategic cooperation among US, Israeli, and regional partners.Diplomatically, Israel’s government has been balancing supportive language for Iranian protesters with careful coordination with allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US interlocutors have discussed the implications of Iran’s turmoil for regional stability, and Israel has underscored its readiness to respond if the security environment dictates it. Simultaneously, Netanyahu met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Jerusalem, the first bilateral visit of Motegi’s term, to reinforce cooperation on regional challenges and technology ties; Motegi is slated to meet with President Herzog as part of an ongoing effort to deepen ties with Japan.On the policy-front within Israel and its allies, discussions continue about restructuring the US-Israel security framework. Proposals to convert the 2018-2028 Memorandum of Understanding into joint investments in platforms and defense-industrial capacity have sparked a broad dialogue among lawmakers, former security officials, and defense analysts. Officials emphasize the importance of maintaining access to essential military platforms while strengthening Israel’s domestic defense base. The debate reflects broader shifts in US foreign aid priorities and the dynamic nature of the US-Israel strategic partnership.In the regional security dialogue outside Israel, UAE concerns about radicalization on UK campuses have drawn attention to the influence of groups associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. The UAE has cut funding for its citizens studying in the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to guard against extremism and to monitor networks that could affect security in the Gulf and beyond. The discussion ...
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