Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 01:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 01:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-21 at 01:07

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESEisenkot backs Bennett-Lapid unity bidGaza reconstruction tied to demilitarizationIAEA demands access to bombed sitesThe time is now 8:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the hourly update on the Middle East and related global developments. In Israel, former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot is proposing a new alignment with Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Yair Lapid to run on a unified list in the next elections. The arrangement would place leadership of that list in a post‑election determination, according to the report. Eisenkot has signaled intent to join Bennett and Lapid to challenge the governing bloc led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bennett, for his part, has been expansive about his aim to become prime minister and has urged Netanyahu to confront him, saying the goal is to win and to bring people together without trampling anyone. The arrangement under discussion reflects a broader realignment in Israeli politics as parties weigh how to respond to current security and diplomatic challenges, including public debate over how to address Gaza and Hamas.Separately, Eisenkot used interviews this week to renew calls for a return to combat operations in Gaza and for dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities. He argued that the military gains achieved since the start of the Israel-Hamas war two years ago have not translated into a diplomatic outcome, and he insisted that any reconstruction of Gaza should be conditioned on demilitarization and continued security responsibility. His comments underscore ongoing divisions within the Israeli security establishment and political arena about the balance between military pressure and political diplomacy as the war persists and casualties accumulate.Across the political landscape, Prime Minister Netanyahu faces a shifting coalition dynamic as opposition voices press for change ahead of the elections. Bennett has stressed a competitive posture, framing the coming contests as a confrontation in which he seeks to replace Netanyahu and bring a broad coalition into government. The discussions around a unified list highlight how many Israeli leaders believe the next electoral round could hinge on assembling cross‑camp support to counter a Likud strength in Knesset seats and in the country’s security calculations.In Gaza, reporting from the front lines after a period of intensified fighting notes that a formal ceasefire remains fragile and that Hamas continues to rebuild and reposition, even as international attention turns to diplomatic efforts and future arrangements for Gaza’s governance. Soldiers on the ground describe ongoing operations aimed at countering Hamas capabilities, and observers caution that the political rhetoric in Jerusalem and Washington will significantly influence next steps on reconstruction, security arrangements, and humanitarian considerations for Gaza’s civilian population.On the cultural front, Israel’s Eurovision entry for 2026 has been decided. Noam Bettan, a 27‑year‑old singer born in Ra’anana to French immigrant parents, will represent Israel in Vienna this May after winning the Rising Star competition. Bettan acknowledged the challenging reception Israel may face abroad amid the war in Gaza, noting that the competition could feel like entering the lion’s den. He said he would perform with pride and focus on representing the country, acknowledging that the contest historically has drawn both broad support and protest given the regional conflict.Meanwhile, the international political stage remains active around broader security and diplomatic questions. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s chief Rafael Grossi told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the nuclear standoff with Iran cannot persist indefinitely. While the IAEA has inspected declared Iranian facilities that were not attacked, it has not been allowed to inspect three key sites that were bombed in June. The agency is seeking a formal accounting from Tehran about those sites and material, including roughly 441 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent. Grossi warned that without cooperation, assurances about the whereabouts and use of that material could erode.In Washington, President Donald Trump has been advancing a multilateral approach to Gaza through what he calls the Board of Peace. He has invited dozens of heads of state to join the BoP, signaling a move to position the United States as a premier conflict‑resolution architect beyond traditional UN channels. Among those invited are Turkey and several other regional actors, though Netanyahu has publicly objected to the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari leadership on what would be Gaza’s governance structures. The BoP is presented as an overarching framework that could influence how postwar Gaza is managed, even as some European partners voice caution about bypassing established international ...
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.