Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 10:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 10:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 10:06

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 HEADLINESIran protest death toll hits five thousandUS carrier move heightens Iran tensionsJordan invited to Gaza Board of PeaceThe time is now 5:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.The following is the hourly news update prepared for an international audience, presenting multiple developments in the Middle East and adjacent regions with careful balance and context.In Tel Aviv, former hostage Rom Braslavski has filed a criminal assault complaint against Ron Shamir, a former reality television contestant, after a confrontation at the HIVE nightclub on Rothschild Boulevard. Police have opened an investigation and issued a warrant for the suspect to appear for questioning. Authorities say Braslavski tried to enter the private party, was refused entry, and a brawl followed during which Braslavski and another clubgoer were allegedly assaulted. Shamir, who appeared on Israel’s Rising Star, has not been arrested, and police are continuing inquiries to locate him. Braslavski told investigators that he did not require medical treatment at this time. The events unfolded at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time, according to the police, who also indicated they may seek statements from the nightlife’s organizer and from other witnesses to clarify roles and sequence of events.In Iran, authorities are confirming a rising death toll from nationwide protests, with an official in the region saying at least 5,000 people have been killed, including about 500 security personnel. The US-based rights group HRANA puts the death toll at 3,308, with more than 24,000 arrests and 4,382 cases still under review. Some of the heaviest clashes and the most fatalities have been reported in Kurdish areas in the northwest. Iranian officials have continued to accuse foreign actors, including Israel and armed groups abroad, of supporting and arming those taking to the streets. The protests, sparked by economic grievances and political repression, have drawn international attention, even as Tehran emphasizes domestic control. The figure of 5,000 deaths is presented by a regional official who spoke on condition of anonymity.Across the Gulf, US officials and regional militaries are coordinating contingency plans as tensions with Iran intensify. Reports indicate the USS Abraham Lincoln has moved toward the Middle East, with accompanying destroyers and missile ships, and there are notices of reinforced air defenses, including Patriot and THAAD batteries, in the region. Some open-source accounts describe carrier movements, bomber activity at Diego Garcia, and heightened readiness, though there has been no definitive official confirmation of all deployments. The United States has not publicly declared a single definitive course of action, but officials have stressed that the option of military action remains on the table should retaliatory moves from Iran occur. In parallel, US and Israeli defense planners have intensified coordination to prepare for a range of scenarios.Meanwhile, reporting on the political front shows a shift in how Washington and regional partners view a potential strike on Iran. Former President Trump publicly suggested that options were still on the table, while other senior advisers advised caution amid concerns about regional escalation. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly urged restraint, telling Trump not to strike at this time given the regional security balance and Israel’s own readiness considerations. The evolving diplomacy underscores the uncertainty surrounding the best path to deter Iranian aggression while avoiding a broader regional conflagration.In Amman, Jordan, King Abdullah has received an invitation from the White House to join what has been described as the Gaza “Board of Peace,” a body framed to supervise the temporary governance of the Gaza Strip during a ceasefire or transitional arrangement. Jordan’s government said it was reviewing the documents within internal procedures, and the move signals continued diplomacy around Gaza’s governance as part of broader US-brokered efforts to stabilize the region. The board and its remit remain a focal point of discussion among regional actors, including Egypt, Jordan, and Palestinian authorities, amid ongoing debates about reconstruction, governance, and security arrangements in Gaza.On the security front regarding Gaza and Hamas, sources note growing concern in Israeli security circles about Qatar’s role in Gaza’s reconstruction. Senior Israeli officials have expressed strong reservations about Qatar’s involvement, warning that funding and oversight could enable Hamas to resume rebuilding efforts, even as a ceasefire remains in place. In the field, observers warn that violations on the ground and continued clashes risk undermining any fragile pause in hostilities, highlighting the delicate balance between reconstruction aid and security assurances.In the West Bank, ...
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