Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 20:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 20:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 20:06

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 HEADLINESUS weighs Iran actions, diplomacy firstIsrael pursues self-reliant defense, cuts US aidIran protests intensify as death toll risesThe time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 3:00 PM update on the Middle East and related global developments.In Washington, President Donald Trump is preparing to convene senior administration officials to review possible actions toward Iran. Military options remain on the table, but officials say diplomacy remains the preferred path. The White House emphasizes that the president will keep all options open while planners weigh how to support protesters inside Iran and respond to Tehran’s moves.In Tehran, protests against the government continue, with authorities pressing to quell demonstrations. Human rights groups say the death toll has risen and thousands have been arrested as the crackdown intensifies. Iran has signaled a willingness to engage in diplomacy with the United States, even as domestic pressures remain high and security forces maintain a firm line.Analysts in Israel say US decision-making could have wide implications for regional security. Some see a likely strong response if Iran’s crackdown continues, while others urge caution to avoid widening conflict. In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security briefing on the Iranian issue, underscoring vigilance and a push toward greater defense self-reliance at home.Israel is moving to reduce its dependence on American military assistance, signaling a shift toward greater self-sufficiency in arms production. Netanyahu has spoken of tapering military aid within the next decade, arguing that Israel has developed the capacity to defend itself and that United States support should gradually wind down as domestic production expands. The shift comes as the current framework for security aid, set to expire in 2028, is being renegotiated. Israel’s defense establishment is pursuing a five-year plan to strengthen domestic munitions production, robotics, artificial intelligence, and space-oriented capabilities, with initial implementation slated for early April and several teams already active.On the legal and political front in Israel, the attorney-general warned that the government is not enforcing a High Court ruling on mandatory military service for ultra‑Orthodox draft evaders, raising concerns about the rule of law and national security. Separately, the parliament approved in the first reading a bill to move the Police Internal Investigations Unit out of the prosecutor’s office, a step critics say could affect accountability in government.In security actions near Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces reported the killing of four armed attackers near the southern Gaza border after they approached troops. The army said the operation complied with the Gaza ceasefire and that weapons and equipment were recovered during searches.Diplomatic and regional messaging continues to unfold. Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran would be prepared if the United States takes military action, while Iran’s supreme leader warned President Trump in biblical imagery that tyrants have historically fallen—a message that resonates across parts of the region and is watched closely by policymakers.In Washington, officials describe diplomacy as the starting point, while not ruling out military responses. A United States official told Al Jazeera that plans for operations against Iran are in advanced stages and would be tailored to evolving circumstances. At the same time, President Trump has said Iran has signaled willingness to negotiate a new nuclear framework, though American officials stress that any talks would be conditioned on behavior in the region.Beyond Iran, the political climate in the United States continues to shape how supporters view Israel policy. Debates persist over possible changes to US military aid to Israel, while others emphasize the enduring alliance and security commitments.Internationally, Venezuela announced the release of a number of political prisoners as a goodwill gesture toward stabilizing ties with Washington, though rights groups question the extent of the gesture. In Canada, a petition seeking to probe Canadian citizens who served in the Israel Defense Forces drew sharp criticism from Jewish organizations.In domestic US discourse, President Trump asserted there is no place for antisemitism in the Republican Party and signaled condemnation of antisemitic figures, even as voices within the party challenge such moves. He also suggested that Iran has shown interest in renewed nuclear talks, while White House officials stress that diplomacy remains the first option and that all tools, including potential air strikes, remain available.In court and security-related news inside Israel, the trial of an Israel Defense Forces reservist charged in a fatal misidentification case is set to begin in January, with ...
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