Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-24 at 10:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-24 at 10:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-24 at 10:07

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 HEADLINESNew York Mayor Defends Khalil Deportation FightUkraine Struck Amid Talks in Abu DhabiWinter Storm Grounds America Flights Grounded NationwideThe time is now 5:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is your hourly update. A city political dispute over immigration and speech has spotlighted a New York controversy this week as Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended anti Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil against a federal deportation push. Khalil, born in Syria to a Palestinian family, holds a green card and rose to prominence during the 2024 Columbia University protests. The administration of former President is seeking to deport him, arguing his campus protests do not align with United States foreign policy interests. Khalil’s legal team contends that removing his green card would raise constitutional questions and infringe on rights of free expression. The mayor asserted that Khalil is a New Yorker who should be allowed to stay, framing the dispute as part of a broader concern about freedom of speech and political advocacy. The case has prompted a broader debate about immigration policy, speech, and the balance between national security concerns and civil liberties in American cities.In the wider region, Ukraine reported that Russian forces launched a new wave of strikes against Kyiv and Kharkiv as peace talks in Abu Dhabi faced pressure. Ukrainian officials characterized the attack as “cynical,” arguing that Moscow sought to disrupt the discussions brokered with the United States and other Western powers. The strikes damaged energy facilities, contributing to power outages across the capital and other cities, while Ukrainian forces reported heavy drone and missile activity. Kyiv and its allies continued to press for a negotiated settlement, even as Moscow reiterated demands on Ukraine to concede significant portions of eastern Donbas. The incident underscored how the war’s theater extends beyond front lines into diplomatic meetings and international diplomacy.A cultural reassessment of Jerusalem’s history is underway at the International Convention Center, where a retrospective on the work of photographer Reuven Milon is on display. Milon documented daily life in Jerusalem across decades, focusing on ordinary moments that reveal the city’s social texture. His work spans mid-century scenes of milkmen, tradesmen, and neighborhood life, alongside more monumental urban changes. Curators emphasize Milon’s human-centered approach and his ability to capture the rhythm of daily life, even as the city transformed around him. The exhibit, titled A Jerusalemite Photographer, runs through late August and invites visitors to consider how a city’s memory is preserved through images, including both familiar landmarks and scenes of everyday work and play.In memory, Jerusalem marked the 65th anniversary of the Egoz shipwreck, a 1961 sea tragedy that claimed 44 Moroccan Jews seeking refuge in Israel. A substantial memorial ceremony on Mount Herzl honors the victims and the broader history of Moroccan immigration to Israel, including the long and difficult process behind Operation Yachin, which brought tens of thousands to the country during the early 1960s. Officials and families reflect on the risks undertaken by those who left North Africa for a homeland, and the event remains a potent symbol of Zionist perseverance and the complexities of immigration policy in the region’s history.In a separate security briefing, US officials stressed that Iran’s nuclear program remains a focal point of American defense planning. A high‑level visit to Israel included urgent discussions on regional risk, and Washington warned that Tehran could seek to rebuild its military capabilities while continuing to threaten stability in the Middle East. The briefing emphasized the ongoing emphasis on deterrence, diplomacy, and coalition-building with regional partners to ensure that Iran’s program does not advance unchecked.On the battlefield, Syrian and Kurdish forces faced a tense standoff in northern Syria as the government presses to consolidate control over contested areas. The talks in the area’s capitals, including involvement from Ankara and allied actors, suggested a possible extension of the ceasefire while discussions on integrating the Kurdish-led authorities into a central authority progressed slowly. Humanitarian and civilian protection concerns remained a central focus of international discussions, given the past year’s violence in the region and the risk of renewed fighting should talks falter.In Kyiv, Ukraine’s foreign ministry reiterated accusations of Russian aggression, linking the strikes to a broader strategy of pressuring the negotiating table. The war’s impact on civilian infrastructure, including energy networks, continues to complicate any political settlement, prompting international calls for restraint and accountability from all ...
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