Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 15:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 15:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 15:07

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESRanenim Named After Gaza Hero Ran GviliUS Prefers Iran Blockade Over StrikesIron Dome Origins Israel-led, US-fundedThe time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At 10:00 AM, a set of developments across Israel, the region, and broader regional security are shaping policy, diplomacy, and daily life for people on all sides of these conflicts.In the Negev, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced cabinet approval for a group of new towns, including one to be named Ranenim after the late Gaza hostage Ran Gvili. Netanyahu said Ranenim will bear the name of Israel’s hero Ran Gvili and that authorities are making a major effort to bring back hostages. Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz and National Missions Minister Orit Strook joined Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting to promote the plan. The move underscores the government’s emphasis on regional development while keeping hostage negotiations in public focus.In military governance, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir designated Colonel Avinoam Emunah, commander of the Hashmonaim Brigade, as his top adviser on ultra-Orthodox issues. Emunah’s portfolio is expected to cover broader strategic questions beyond brigade matters, reflecting ongoing debates about integrating haredim into national service, governance, and security. The change could influence how the army plans for budgets, recruitment, and national-military policies as haredi participation evolves.On regional security, observers note that any US decision to act against Iran could favor non-kinetic measures. Analysts from the Institute for National Security Studies suggest a blockade could be the preferred option for limiting Iran’s capabilities, rather than a wide-scale kinetic strike. They caution that while American force posture is shifting in the Gulf, the strategic objective remains fluid and subject to evolving regional dynamics. Israel continues to coordinate with Washington as it weighs options, with security planners emphasizing the need to protect civilian populations and critical infrastructure in any scenario.A Kurdish-Jewish Alliance board and several Swiss Kurdish groups urged Israel to reinforce protections for minorities in northern Syria and to support humanitarian relief and regional stability. The letter highlighted the danger to Kurds, Syriacs, Yazidis, and Alawites under the Damascus-led regime and called on Israel to defend airspace and to push back against destabilizing actions by Turkey and allied forces. The signatories emphasized enduring historical connections between Kurds and Jews and argued that Israel’s stance toward the Kurdish communities is tied to broader regional security interests, calling for concrete steps to support autonomous administrations in northeast Syria and to prevent the collapse of minority protections amid ongoing fighting.In domestic legal matters, Israel’s Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara warned that a proposed cabinet rule change would weaken the government’s adherence to the law. A deputy attorney-general’s opinion argues the amendments could enable decisions made without timely legal review, undermining established oversight mechanisms and Supreme Court precedents. The Movement for Quality Government criticized the plan as an attempt to bypass professional governance safeguards and warned of the potential for unlawful action or misallocation of state resources during an election period.In Iraq, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s appearance as a potential future premier has drawn attention. The Coordination Framework named Maliki as its candidate, reflecting ongoing political maneuvering in Baghdad after years during which his governance was criticized for contributing to insecurity during the rise of ISIS in 2014. Analysts say Maliki’s return would complicate efforts to stabilize security and governance in Iraq amid regional pressures and shifting alliances.Defensive technology remains a point of discussion. A long-running debate over the origins and ownership of Iron Dome’s development highlights that Israeli firms led the system’s creation, with funding and certain production components provided by the United States. Analysts emphasize that while American funding has supported batteries and missiles, the core concept and engineering are rooted in Israeli design and development, reflecting a deep bilateral partnership with shared capabilities. water security continues to advance. The Soreq B desalination plant in central Israel has begun full operation, producing around 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually. When combined with other desalination stations, Israel expects to meet about 70% to 80% of its potable water needs, with additional capacity coming from other plants, recycled water, and brackish water. The government notes that rainfall this winter has exceeded long-term averages in many regions, ...
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.