Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 11:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 11:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 11:07

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINES- Iran protests intensify as regime under pressure- Israel recognizes Somaliland, reshapes Horn of Africa- Israel forms tribunal for Hamas atrocity suspectsThe time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Six o'clock in the morning. This is the hourly update on the evolving posture of the Middle East, with emphasis on Israeli and broader Jewish perspectives for an international audience.In Iran, authorities face mounting international scrutiny as protests enter a third week. A Tehran‑based rights group, HRANA, verified six hundred forty six deaths since the demonstrations began, with five hundred five identified as protesters, one hundred thirty three members of security forces, one prosecutor, and seven civilians not taking part in demonstrations; the organization says one thousand seven hundred twenty one more deaths are under review, and more than ten thousand one hundred twenty one people have been arrested. Independent documentation remains hampered by information blackouts, though footage and testimony from Behesht Zahra Cemetery shows families gathering at burial sites and chanting against the regime. An unconfirmed tally circulated by Iran International places the toll well above twelve thousand, a figure variously described as a worst‑case estimate or a projection from sources close to the regime’s oversight bodies. Iran’s government has dismissed international reporting as a fabrication and has attributed violence to foreign elements and “terrorists.” In reaction to the crackdown, Europe’s governments issued statements calling for restraint, with Germany, France, and the United Kingdom urging Tehran to halt the violence and restore internet access. The German chancellor, in India, suggested the regime may be in its final days if it must rely on violence to cling to power, a view echoed by other Western leaders who have condemned the crackdown while stressing the need for dialogue.On the policy front, the United States announced a tariff of twenty five percent on any country doing business with Iran, a move aimed at pressuring Tehran amidst the protests. Washington described diplomacy as the preferred path, even as officials said options remained under consideration. China, along with other trading partners, signaled they would monitor the situation closely and respond to actions that affect their interests. Iran’s foreign ministry said channels with Washington remained open even as Tehran weighed its options in the face of international pressure.In Israel’s orbit, geopolitics and security developments continue to shape policy and perception. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland last month has pushed the Horn of Africa into sharper focus, highlighting contest over access to ports and airfields. Berbera’s development, including a UAE presence, is viewed as a strategic node for broader regional influence and potential counterbalance to Iranian and other regional ambitions. The move has drawn formal protests from Somalia and attracted scrutiny from regional partners who weigh the implications for regional order, maritime security, and long‑term alliances. The United States has defended Israel’s right to recognize foreign entities that align with its strategic interests, while signaling caution about broader regional consequences.In Israel’s own security and governance agenda, Parliament advanced a bill to create a special military tribunal to try perpetrators of the October seventh Hamas massacre. In a first reading, the proposal passed unanimously, with the plan to establish a fifteen‑judge panel drawn from Israel’s Supreme Court or international jurists. The tribunal would have authority to try crimes including genocide and crimes against humanity, potentially including those detained in Gaza between October seventh and October fourteen of last year. The measure envisions public hearings and live broadcasting, with the possibility of imposing the death penalty for those convicted of the most serious charges and constraints on prisoner releases tied to such cases. Supporters say the framework is designed to deliver a swift, fair process for a mass casualty event that has deeply affected Israeli society.In the West Bank, Israeli authorities ordered the demolition of a soccer field in the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem, describing the site as illegally built near the security barrier. Local officials note the field is a rare playground for Palestinian children, and residents warn demolition would erase a key community space. Israeli authorities have historically cited security concerns in such demolitions, a pattern that has drawn sharp international criticism and concerns about potential broader moves in the West Bank. Critics stress that demolitions add to tensions at a moment of heightened sensitivity about Palestinian statehood and sovereignty.Beyond the immediate conflict, UNICEF reports that ...
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.