Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 19:06 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 19:06

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 19:06

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESUS Israel debate over Iran strikeGaza governance plan triggers sovereignty concernsIraq gains security control as US exitsThe time is now 2:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is your hourly news update. The geopolitical picture in the Middle East remains tense and fluid as global powers weigh next moves around Iran, the ripple effects of domestic protests in Iran, and evolving arrangements for Gaza and regional governance.First, the situation around Iran and Israel. Reports outline a period of rapid momentum behind the scenes in Washington and Jerusalem as American officials weighed options that could change the regional balance. Israeli leaders have publicly signaled concern about timelines and the potential for retaliation, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is described as having urged restraint and pause on a potential strike while coordinating with Washington. Israeli officials have privately noted a swift and large-scale protest movement inside Iran, with estimates of casualties running into the thousands during the initial surge, and about one million people taking to the streets in the days surrounding the clashes. Analysts say the protests have placed heavy pressure on Iran’s leadership, even as Tehran has framed the crackdown as maintaining order. Across this landscape, Washington has signaled willingness to act, but has recalibrated its approach as it repositions naval assets and weighs how a strike would affect the course of the protests and the regime’s response.In Washington and Jerusalem, the line between deterrence and escalation remains delicate. Observers say any action against Iran, even if aimed at slowing the regime’s capacity, risks driving internal Iran dynamics in unpredictable directions and could provoke a broader regional confrontation. In Israel, the prevailing view among security strategists is that direct involvement in Iran should be limited and carefully calibrated, to avoid amplifying the regime’s narrative of external aggression and to prevent giving Tehran an opening to rally the public around a perceived external threat. At the same time, Israel insists on maintaining robust defenses and deterring any action that could threaten its security or allow a wider conflict to unfold.Turning to international diplomacy, the United States has floated a “Board of Peace” concept intended to address Gaza first and then broader conflicts. The plan has drawn cautious reaction from allies in Europe and beyond, with concerns about the impact on the United Nations framework and questions about how a charter would interact with existing international institutions. A number of governments have expressed reservations, while others signaled openness to discussions. In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli government was not fully consulted about the board, and that he asked Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to raise concerns with the US Secretary of State. The proposal envisions a technocratic governance structure for Gaza during a transitional period, but critics warn that placing governance in the hands of external actors would raise questions about sovereignty and the day-after arrangements for the territory.In related domestic matters, Israel’s political debate continues over how to approach Gaza and the post-conflict environment. A Knesset committee confronting sexual violence cases heard testimony from victims and supporters calling for changes to how the system handles accusations and gag orders. The testimonies highlighted long-standing concerns about delays, accountability, and transparency in the investigative process and drew calls for legislative remedies to improve victims’ access to information and enforcement. Lawmakers stressed that any future leadership of the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries should be weighed against the highest standards for women’s safety and the integrity of public institutions.Beyond Israel, regional and international actors are reassessing ties and potential mediation efforts. Honduras’ newly elected president signaled a willingness to develop closer ties with Israel, reflecting the ongoing realignment of relationships in Latin America. In Asia, India has received an invitation to join the Board of Peace, though Delhi has not committed to participating, reflecting a broader set of questions about how this initiative would function in practice and how it would interact with existing multilateral bodies. Meanwhile, Turkey and Qatar have been cited in debates about Gaza governance, as some commentators argue that external actors may shape what happens next on the ground, particularly if no clear Israeli plan for Gaza is implemented and if international bodies assume greater authority over the territory’s administration.On the ground in Iraq, officials announced the completion of the withdrawal of US-led coalition bases from the ...
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.