Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 22:05 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 22:05

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 22:05

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESIsrael strikes Hezbollah; Basma and Husseini killedRafah reopening hinges on hostage frameworkMunicipal registrations close in West Bank GazaThe time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Lebanon, the Israeli military says it conducted airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in several areas along the Lebanon border, including a weapons production site in the Bir al-Sansal region and facilities in the Bekaa Valley. The military reports the operation killed Jawad Basma, who operated at the weapons site, and Muhammad al-Husseini, described as Hezbollah’s artillery chief. The strikes are described as a response to Hezbollah ceasefire violations. Across the border in Gaza, Israeli forces were also involved in operations that authorities say resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians in the Tuffah district of Gaza City and left four others wounded in a separate incident, with video and on-the-ground reporting continuing to shape the public narrative of events.In the Israeli-Palestinian arena, attention remains on Rafah and the broader hostage issue. Israel’s cabinet has not yet decided on reopening the Rafah crossing. A framework tied to the 20-point plan and a clear path to locating and returning all hostages is being cited by some officials, while Israeli authorities emphasize the need for a fully verified outcome before any opening. Prime Minister Netanyahu, reaffirming the government’s stance, has signaled that any reopening would come only after certain conditions are met, including the progress of rescue efforts for missing hostages and coordination with the United States. At the same time, Israel is conducting a focused operation to extract and verify intelligence related to the missing hostage Ran Gualili, with policy steps anticipated in coordination with Washington if the operation yields usable results.In the West Bank and Gaza, voter registration for municipal elections closed Sunday, setting the stage for ballots in 420 local councils on April 25, including a vote in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah. The Palestinian Authority’s Fatah movement is widely expected to dominate candidate lists, though Hamas’ participation remains unresolved. Officials stress that municipal councils handle local services and do not legislate, and they describe the elections as part of a reform and renewal effort amidst international pressure for governance and accountability. As in prior cycles, the electoral process is closely watched for its potential impact on governance and public trust in territories under Palestinian Authority administration and Hamas governance in Gaza.Regionally, Iran’s domestic crisis continues to resonate beyond its borders. Reports from Iran International and other outlets describe a prolonged internet blackout and severe restrictions on digital access, with merchants in Iran receiving only limited daily internet time to conduct international business. The crackdown on protests, which has drawn wide international attention, is described in varying casualty estimates, with some outlets citing numbers in the tens of thousands. Iran has also released provocative material in the public sphere, including imagery linked to US carrier movements, alongside statements that appear designed to project the regime’s resolve. Across the broader security landscape, video and messaging from Tehran and allied outlets signal ongoing messaging battles about the regional balance of power.In related regional dynamics, a Kurdish political perspective offered in interviews with The Jerusalem Post highlights concerns about shifting alliances. A Kurdish campaigner cautions that Western backing for Damascus could complicate Kurdish autonomy and statehood efforts, arguing that renewed Syrian government control would create new and enduring challenges. The interview notes that Israel’s stance in the region remains attentive to Kurdish resilience and self-governance, even as broader international alignments shift in ways that could affect the security calculus of multiple actors in the Levant.On the security and travel front, Israeli carriers have begun adjusting to a changing risk environment. El Al and Arkia announced consumer-friendly flexibility in their cancellation policies to reassure travelers amid security concerns and shifting schedules. El Al will allow free cancellations up to 48 hours before departure with full credits for tickets booked in the near term, a policy extended across its network for a two-week window, while Arkia offered similar options for certain bookings. Industry officials note that foreign carriers have also been reassessing routes and timings in light of regional tensions, with the Civil Aviation Authority coordinating responses to avoid wider disruptions, even as skies over Israel remain open.Looking ahead, US discourse regarding Gaza continues to evolve even as immediate security concerns center on the ...
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.