Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 09:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 09:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 09:08

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 HEADLINESNYC Condemns Hamas Chants After DelayUS Plans Gaza Governance Board Jordan WeighsIran Crackdown Death Toll Tops 16,500The time is now 4:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good morning. Here is your hourly update on the Middle East and related developments affecting Israeli security and Jewish communities around the world.In New York City, the mayor sought input from leaders of the local Jewish community before publicly weighing in on chants supporting Hamas at a January 8 protest outside a Nefesh B’Nefesh information event. The event, intended to inform potential olim about aliyah, drew pro-Hamas and anti-Israel chants outside the synagogue hosting the gathering. The mayor’s office released a formal statement at 3:40 p.m. and a more expansive message on social media later that evening, after conversations with Jewish community leaders. Reportedly, the process involved multiple revisions to ensure the condemnation was forceful yet precise and fair. Critics cited the delay as indicative of perceived bias, while supporters said the process reflected careful consideration of community safety and free speech rights. The final statement stressed that chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in the city and affirmed ongoing efforts to protect people entering and exiting houses of worship and to uphold the right to protest.Across the region, the political and security landscape around Gaza continues to hinge on questions of governance and ceasefire viability. Jordan’s foreign ministry announced that King Abdullah received an invitation from the US administration to join what is described as a “Board of Peace” for Gaza. The board would oversee the temporary governance, reconstruction, and governance framework for the Gaza Strip, as part of a broader US plan for Phase Two. Jordan said it is reviewing the documents within its internal procedures. The status and powers of the board remain under discussion in regional capitals, with observers noting that any mechanism to govern Gaza will face questions of legitimacy, security guarantees, and coordination with Palestinian authorities and regional partners.Meanwhile, the broader security picture in and around Gaza continues to draw attention to the risk of renewed violations and potential collapse of the existing ceasefire. Senior Israeli officials have publicly warned that external funding and reconstruction efforts could be accompanied by on-the-ground violations that heighten the prospect of a renewed breakdown in the ceasefire. The tension underscores the enduring challenge of aligning international support with security guarantees along the Gaza frontier, and of balancing humanitarian needs with strategic considerations.In the area of Iran, new reporting on the crackdown against nationwide protests continues to arrive. A British newspaper’s account, relying on a network of Iranian doctors, has produced figures claiming that more than 16,500 people have died and as many as 330,000 have been injured during the crackdown on demonstrations sparked by economic grievances and political grievances. The report describes a campaign marked by severe force, including gunfire, shelling-like injuries, and a heavy use of police and security forces against civilians. Eye injuries are repeatedly highlighted, with thousands said to have lost sight in one or both eyes. Tehran and state media have attributed the unrest to foreign influence and described protesters as rioters and terrorists. The United States and its partners have urged restraint and warned of broader regional escalation if the violence continues. In a related development, President Trump publicly urged leadership changes in Iran amid the protests, while administration officials noted the difficulty of calibrating any response to avoid wider conflict.In related security events, investigators are looking into attacks carried out by masked settlers in the West Bank near Mukhmas. Reports indicate that tents and vehicles were set alight while residents and visiting activists were attacked with blunt objects. A vehicle found in the area, registered to Israeli plates, contained weapons and has been seized for further inquiry. Several Palestinians, foreign nationals, and Israelis at the scene were evacuated for medical treatment. Israeli security services, including the Shin Bet, have launched a broader inquiry to identify all participants and determine the scope of the operation. The events come as maintenance of calm in the West Bank remains fragile, with periodic flareups involving settlers and local communities, as well as responses from Israeli security forces.Weather and outdoor activity in Israel also feature prominently in this update. A winter storm earlier in the week raised flood risk across the country. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority cautioned that rivers and streams have risen after heavy rainfall and several ...
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