Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 08:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 08:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 08:07

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 HEADLINESIsrael Storm Deluge Sparks Floods Road ClosuresUS Slaps 25% Tariff on Iran TradeScholz Sees Turning Point for Iran RegimeThe time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.A winter storm swept across Israel overnight and into Tuesday, delivering heavy rain, high winds and localized flooding that disrupted roads, trains, and air travel. Meteorological officials say the system should gradually weaken later today, but unsettled weather is expected to persist through the end of the week. Rainfall totals varied widely, with Majdal Shams in the northern Golan Heights reporting about sixty millimeters, Jerusalem about forty one millimeters, Haifa twenty seven millimeters and Tel Aviv twenty two millimeters. Snow fell on Mount Hermon, accumulating roughly fifteen centimeters, prompting authorities to keep the ski site closed to visitors through at least Thursday. The Israel Meteorological Service said large amounts of rain fell overnight in the Judean Mountains and Judean Plain, with additional heavy showers likely in the central highlands and the Judean Plain during the day. Flooding was reported in streams feeding into the Dead Sea, and forecasters warned of continued flood risk in desert areas. While the heaviest winds have passed, forecasters warned that gusts could still reach high levels along the coast. Overnight wind gusts reached extreme speeds, with Ashkelon recording a peak of one hundred and three kilometers per hour; Tel Aviv experienced around eighty five kilometers per hour; Hadera, Haifa Bay and other coastal areas reported gusts above eighty kilometers per hour; Jerusalem saw gusts up to sixty five kilometers per hour. In emergency conditions, firefighters rescued a man and a woman from a vehicle submerged in floodwaters near Jerusalem. In another incident, five people were rescued from a shuttle vehicle that became trapped by rising waters on Pecker Street in Kiryat Malachi. In Rishon LeZion, a wall of an ancient winery collapsed onto several parked cars, though no injuries were reported. Emergency medical services noted several minor injuries across the country from falling trees and windblown debris. Roads were closed in multiple locations, including Highway ninety south of Ein Gedi, Route ninety near the Dead Sea, and Route four near the Afula area, as well as Route four and Route forty in parts of the central and northern regions. Haifa Airport canceled all flights, with Air Haifa arranging alternative plans for affected travelers. Forecasters said the rain would ease later on Tuesday, with lighter, more localized showers on Wednesday, mainly in central and northern areas, and temperatures expected to rise slightly as the storm system exits.Separately from the weather, the United States announced a tariff measure linked to Iran. President Donald Trump said that effective immediately any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran would be subject to a twenty-five percent tariff on all trade with the United States. The White House did not release an official document detailing the measure or its authority, and there was no immediate comment from the administration. The Chinese embassy in Washington criticized the approach, calling unilateral sanctions and long‑arm jurisdiction unacceptable and vowing to protect China’s interests. Japan and South Korea said they would monitor developments and respond as necessary once specifics became clear. Iran, already facing a wave of anti-government protests that began in December, has seen fluctuating casualty reports. The rights group HRANA says five hundred ninety nine people, comprising five hundred ten protesters and eighty nine security personnel, have been confirmed killed since the protests began. Iran International, citing other sources, has claimed figures as high as twelve thousand fatalities among protesters. Tehran says its security forces are defending the country from foreign-backed turmoil, while opposition and rights groups emphasize the scale of demonstrations and the toll among civilians. Iran’s military leadership issued a public warning, with General Abd al-Rahim Al-Moussavi saying Iran will not yield its independence, territorial integrity or national interests. He stressed that enemies should know Iran’s security forces will not allow terrorists or criminals to achieve their aims, and he argued that the United States and Israel have turned to Daesh to retaliate for Iran’s regional posture, while vowing that Iranian security forces will protect the country and its people. In Europe, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented that the days and weeks ahead appear to mark a turning point for the Iranian regime, suggesting that a regime that remains in power only through violence is nearing its end. He did not specify a timetable, but his remarks reflected a broader European mood about the sustainability of the current leadership in Tehran.Meanwhile, ...
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