Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-19 at 05:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-19 at 05:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-19 at 05:07

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESIran protests escalate as regime blames WestIDF launches Hebron counterterrorism sweepKarachi shopping complex blaze leaves dozens missingThe time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Here is your hourly update on the Middle East, the broader world, and the latest developments affecting security, politics, and diplomacy.Across Iran, the leadership has acknowledged the latest wave of nationwide protests has produced a large death toll, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying that several thousand lives were lost and blaming the United States and Israel for the bloodshed. Iranian authorities describe the demonstrations as driven by foreign interference, while authorities warn detainees will face severe punishment. Human rights groups, however, have tallied much higher figures, with thousands killed and tens of thousands detained since protests began late last year. The regime’s approach has again combined domestic repression with asserts that foreign meddling is the root of the crisis, a line that has long served Tehran as it seeks to maintain control while seeking to deflect international criticism. In recent weeks, Iranians have turned to messages and signs directed at overseas powers, including the United States and Israel, calling for help and attention to the plight of protesters. The international response has been steady but constrained, with the United Nations issuing statements and procedural steps but no binding action to compel accountability or sanctions. Observers note that Tehran remains confident that pauses in global action can prolong the regime’s hold on power, even as the human costs mount and the international community debates how to respond effectively.In the West Bank city of Hebron, the Israel Defense Forces announced a wide-scale counter-terrorism operation aimed at thwarting infrastructure used by militants and removing illegal weapons possession. Officials say the operation could stretch across several days and is intended to bolster security in the area and prevent planned attacks. The move comes amid ongoing tensions and a broader campaign by Israeli security forces to disrupt networks tied to militant groups. In Jerusalem and other parts of the country, domestic politics continue to roil. A public clash at a cabinet meeting saw Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister Dudi Amsalem exchange sharp words over government affairs, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu interceding to call for restraint. The incident underscored strains within the coalition as members grapple with policy priorities and the broad responsibilities of governance during an era of heightened security concerns and ongoing conflict.On the legislative front, the government faces a practical dilemma over the 2026 state budget. If approval stalls in the Knesset, there is risk the budget could fail to pass by the deadlines needed for second and third readings, potentially triggering early elections. The political calculus is complicated by party alignments within the coalition and by disagreements over related arrangements laws. The budget question comes as ministers and ministries seek to maintain security and social programs during a time of regional volatility and ongoing security operations in the West Bank.Internationally, the United States is watching developments with particular sensitivity. In American cities, thousands of people gathered to support Iranian anti-government protesters, while urging Western leaders to take stronger action in defense of civil liberties. Demonstrators cited personal losses and the human toll of the crackdown, with some urging direct intervention, though policymakers have signaled a wary approach given the risks of escalation and broader regional instability. The diaspora’s demonstrations in cities such as Los Angeles and New York reflect ongoing concern about events inside Iran and across the region.Meanwhile, Washington’s engagement with other governments over a broader “Board of Peace” concept introduced by the United States has drawn cautious responses. The proposal envisions a permanent, executive-style body with a focus on Gaza initially, expanding to other conflicts as needed. Several European nations and others voiced concerns that the plan could duplicate or undermine United Nations roles and frame governance in fragile territories in ways that could politicize or overshadow existing international structures. Some governments indicated willingness to participate in discussions, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining UN-led processes and respecting established international norms. Israel’s government has said it has not coordinated the specifics of the board’s composition and cautioned that any arrangement should align with its security and governance principles, particularly regarding Gaza and regional stability. The United Nations has stressed that ...
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.