Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 23:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 23:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-18 at 23:07

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 HEADLINESCordoba crash derails two trains, ten deadIsrael warns peace unlikely without Hamas disarmamentIDF destroys Hezbollah infrastructure in LebanonThe time is now 6:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Here is the latest hourly update on events around the world and in Israel, with context to help understand the significance of today’s developments.In Spain, a high-speed rail collision in the south near Cordoba left at least 10 people dead and more than 100 injured, with about 25 in critical condition, according to authorities who say two trains derailed. Railway operator Adif reported that Madrid–Andalusia high-speed services have been suspended as investigators assess the scene and cause. One train was traveling from Malaga to Madrid’s Puerta de Atocha and derailed, encroaching onto an adjacent track, while the opposite-direction train from Puerta de Atocha to Huelva also derailed. Emergency crews and responders worked at the site as authorities warned this is an unfolding situation.Turning to the Middle East, senior Israeli security voices emphasized that any lasting regional peace remains unlikely under current dynamics. A former senior IDF officer warned that even in Western Europe, peace is not permanent, underscoring Israel’s need to monitor regional alignments and threats. He urged Israel to maintain a strong defensive posture and to sustain presence along strategic border areas until there is meaningful disarmament of hostile actors. The remarks also stressed that regional battles continue to shape policy, including the roles of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other regional players in Syria and the Red Sea area, and warned that external actors may reassess their involvement depending on disarmament progress by Hamas in Gaza. On Gaza, the official suggested that a disarmament of Hamas remains uncertain and argued for a careful, continuous security posture to prevent a relapse into conflict. He noted that, beyond Gaza, broader regional dynamics—especially those involving Turkey’s influence and the Syrian theater—will influence Israel’s security calculations moving forward.In parallel, tensions and diplomacy around Syria and Lebanon surfaced. Turkish President Erdogan spoke with Syrian President Sharaa after talks and a broader deal with Kurdish forces, with reports that Turkey will sustain support for Damascus as gains against terrorism are pursued. The same developments included word that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces will visit Damascus for discussions, and that Kurdish authorities have agreed to central government control in parts of northern Syria. On the Lebanon border, the IDF reported activity near the border fence after a suspect approached the line; the forces deployed a tank and an attack helicopter to neutralize the threat, with the operation described as ongoing. Separately, the IDF’s specialized unit tasked with broader regional security operations completed its latest mission in southern Lebanon, reporting it prevented Hezbollah’s reestablishment by destroying infrastructure and eliminating operatives in the course of the campaign.In Washington and Jerusalem, there is renewed attention to the broader Gaza plan endorsed by President Trump and backed in part by Israeli leadership. A US senator who met with Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested Israel’s security needs and the Gaza governance framework are central to the plan’s implementation. Some officials express cautious optimism that a technocratic government in Gaza could be acceptable to both Israel and Arab states if it disarms Hamas and cooperates with monitoring over its weapons stockpiles, while acknowledging that full disarmament would be a gradual and partial process. The discussions come as the US is preparing new sanctions packages aimed at Iranian-linked actors, with Washington signaling readiness to adjust strategy in response to regional developments. Israeli officials stress that any path forward must ensure security control where necessary and prevent Hamas from reconstituting its military capacity.In domestic security and legal matters, Israel’s public sphere saw parliamentary action aimed at reinforcing accountability and trust in governance. A ministerial committee advanced a bill requiring the attorney general to undergo a polygraph examination every two years and to answer questions about leaks and alleged misconduct. Proponents say such measures are intended to bolster public trust as ongoing investigations and disclosures influence perceptions of government transparency. Critics warn about civil liberty implications and question the effectiveness of such probes in improving governance.In a separate legal case, a Beersheba court sentenced two men to 38 months in prison for aggravated theft at the Nova music festival site, stating their actions represented a grave moral failure amid a national trauma. The men ...
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