Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 08:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 08:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 08:06

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 HEADLINESIsrael floods claim two lives parks closedSyria forces seize eastern oil fieldsTrump halts planned Iran strikeThe time is now 3:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At 3:00 a.m. local time, Israel faced continued weather-related risks as heavy rainfall raised water levels in streams and rivers across the country. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority urged caution for outdoor activities, noting closures at several parks due to flood risk, including the Hermon-Banias Nature Reserve, Nachal Ayon Nature Reserve, Caesarea National Park, Tel Afek National Park, and Ashkelon National Park. The INPA warned of a continued risk of flash floods in the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea area, and prohibited entering flowing streams on foot or by vehicle until conditions improve. It also advised keeping a safe distance from stream edges during flood events and checking the INPA information center online or at the 3639 hotline before planning hikes.In the past 24 hours, a winter storm in Israel produced casualties and ongoing flood-related challenges. A woman in her 50s died when floodwaters rose in eastern Jerusalem’s Shuafat neighborhood. In Modi'in Illit, a 17-year-old boy, Moshe Ludmir, was found after being swept away in the Nahal Modi'in stream. Reports indicate additional flood-related injuries and incidents, including at Hatzor Air Base, as rainfall totals varied by location—from roughly 60 millimeters in Majdal Shams to about 41 millimeters in Jerusalem, with Haifa around 27 millimeters and Tel Aviv near 22 millimeters.Regional security developments also feature in the day’s update. The Israeli Defense Forces reported the killing of a Hamas operative in Gaza who was linked to a past attack at the Nahal Oz checkpoint in 1995, reflecting ongoing security concerns in the Gaza periphery. In Syria, government forces and Sunni Arab tribal elements, supported by Turkey, have reportedly taken control of three major eastern oil and gas fields, including the Al Omar and Koniko fields. The takeover, described as shifting the balance in eastern Syria, is seen as reducing Kurdish autonomy and potentially reshaping governance and revenue administration in the region. Analysts note the development could influence future alignment and security calculations along the Euphrates basin and northern frontiers.On the American stage, reports have circulated about strategic deliberations regarding Iran. A long-expected large-scale strike in response to nationwide protests in Iran was discussed at the highest levels, with Pentagon planning and interagency briefings underway. Ultimately, President Trump halted the planned operation after internal consultations, signaling that the risk of broader regional escalation outweighed perceived immediate gains. White House and defense officials stressed that the military option remains on the table, but cautioned against actions that could trigger a wider conflict. Regional allies—including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman—warned of potential Iranian retaliation, while Israeli officials publicly urged restraint pending broader regional support and a visible US presence in the theater.Related to Gaza policy, Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration has proposed that participating states contribute at least one billion dollars to the Board of Peace for Gaza. The White House publicly characterized the report as misleading, saying there are no mandatory membership fees and no automatic financial obligations tied to joining or remaining in the board. The board is described as an international forum chaired by the president, intended to oversee Gaza’s governance, security, and reconstruction, in coordination with a Palestinian technocratic administration and an international stabilization force. The administration has framed the board as a flexible, issue-focused body rather than a fixed funding mechanism.In domestic United States health and science policy, Washington announced a comprehensive study into radiofrequency radiation from cell phones, prompted by concerns raised by high-level officials about potential neurological effects and cancer risk. The move signals continued attention to public health questions surrounding ubiquitous wireless technology and its long-term implications.In other developments of note, four foreign activists were detained in Israel after an incident involving assault on a shepherd in the West Bank’s pasturelands. Two suspects were released under restrictive conditions, and the others were slated for deportation after proceedings with immigration authorities, with law enforcement coordinating across Shin Bet, police, and military units to maintain order and public safety.In human-interest and cultural reporting, there are ongoing stories about families and individuals navigating life inside Gaza amid restrictions, including accounts of couples planning life events during conflict, ...
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