Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-19 at 06:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-19 at 06:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-19 at 06:07

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 HEADLINESHebron raid dismantles terror networksIran crackdown leaves thousands deadCordoba high speed crash leaves 21 deadThe time is now 1:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Here is the hourly update on the international and regional events shaping security and policy in the Middle East and beyond.In the West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli forces led a wide-ranging counterterrorism operation in the Jabal Johar neighborhood. The operation, headed by the Judea Brigade with participation from the IDF, Shin Bet, police and border police, aims to dismantle terror infrastructure, remove illicit weapons and bolster security in the area. The authorities say the operation will stretch over several days, with explosions and a noticeable military presence anticipated in the coming hours and days. Security officials emphasize a proactive approach to disrupt threats across Judea and Samaria, a staging ground for ongoing concerns about militant activity in the region.Across the Atlantic, the United States appears to be strengthening its posture in the Middle East as part of broader preparations in the event of heightened tensions with Iran. Washington is increasing its regional footprint, and Israeli officials say they are taking steps to ensure both defensive readiness and potential offensive options remain available. The balance of defense and deterrence remains a central feature of regional security planning as discussions continue about possible escalation elsewhere in the region.In Tehran, Iran’s supreme leader acknowledged that several thousand deaths occurred during the current wave of nationwide protests, asserting blame on foreign actors, including the United States and Israel, for the unrest. The Iranian government has framed the demonstrations as foreign-backed, while continuing to deploy security forces to quell dissent. Human rights groups have documented thousands killed and many more detained, though Iranian authorities contest those tallies. International reaction has included warnings and condemnations, but action remains limited as global attention remains divided and governments weigh strategic interests against pushing for rapid change inside Iran.Turning to Europe, the European Union is scrambling to avert US tariffs tied to a dispute over Greenland and is preparing retaliation should duties be imposed. EU ambassadors reached a broad agreement to intensify diplomacy aimed at dissuading President Trump from moving forward with tariffs on European goods, while also planning potential countermeasures. One scenario under discussion in Brussels would impose a sizeable tariff package on United States imports, while another option, the so-called Anti-Coercion Instrument, would affect access to public tenders, investment, banking and services in a bid to rebalance leverage. EU leaders are convening in coming days to assess options, and member states stress the importance of protecting sovereignty and maintaining open channels for dialogue with Washington. The kerfuffle over Greenland has already unsettled markets and raised questions about transatlantic economic cooperation, with several European capitals insisting that economic ties be safeguarded even as questions of sovereignty and security remain front and center.In southern Spain, a high-speed train collision near Cordoba has left at least 21 people dead and around 100 injured, with authorities noting that one derailed train struck another, sending carriages off their tracks and down an embankment. The precise cause remains under investigation, though officials say the incident is extraordinary given the straight stretch of track involved. Emergency responders have transported dozens of wounded to hospitals, and the national transportation ministry is reviewing safety protocols and maintenance records as investigators begin reviewing the incident's sequence of events.In Australia, Parliament returned to business with a moment of silence and tributes for the victims of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack, in which two gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged reform in both gun control and hate speech legislation, while signaling that measures addressing hate crime would proceed as a separate, focused package due to opposition concerns about combining them with other reforms. Families of the victims watched from the public galleries as lawmakers honored the deceased and prepared to debate policy changes aimed at preventing a repeat of such violence. The incident has deepened a national conversation about antisemitism and public safety in Australia.Meanwhile, an Israeli Defense Forces and security services update advised that the Hebron operation will proceed with a focus on disrupting terror networks and removing weapons, with continued coordination among security agencies to counter threats across Yehuda and Shomron. In parallel, Prime Minister ...
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