Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 21:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 21:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-25 at 21:07

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 HEADLINES- IDF hits Hezbollah targets after border breach- Israel hunts Ran Gvili remains near Gaza- New Rafah plan costs $112B reconstructionThe time is now 4:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Israel’s northern border remains tense after the IDF said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure targets in Lebanon in response to a series of ceasefire violations attributed to the group. The military did not disclose precise locations or the intended objective, but characterized the strikes as punitive actions tied to Hezbollah activity near the border. The move underscores ongoing concerns in Jerusalem about the durability of any ceasefire along the Lebanon front and the potential for spillover into wider regional confrontation.In Gaza, the Israeli military confirmed an active operation to locate the remains of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage believed to be held in the enclave. The search began over the weekend and continues along the Israeli side of the border near the Yellow Line, with teams working at a cemetery in northern Gaza City, near the Shejaiya, Daraj, and Tuffah districts. The operation involves troops, forensic specialists, and in some cases dental and DNA expertise to identify remains. Israeli officials say the operation could last several hours or several days, and emphasize the state’s determination to secure a proper burial for Gvili. Hamas has said it shared information with mediators about the location, but Israel has indicated it did not rely on Hamas for critical intelligence and continues to pursue other leads in the broader search.Amid these developments, attention is focusing on what a post-conflict Gaza might look like. A new plan promoted by former adviser Jared Kushner envisions a massive reconstruction effort for Gaza amounting to about $112 billion, under a framework called “New Rafah” that would include housing, tourism, and broader economic activity. The plan carries conditions said to include demilitarization, amnesty for Hamas fighters who lay down arms, and safe passage for those wishing to leave. Critics inside Israel and among security observers argue that the plan creates a moral hazard: rebuilding might proceed without robust guarantees that Hamas will be dismantled as a governing force, and without durable security arrangements. Israel’s government says any reconstruction must be paired with verifiable demilitarization, secure borders, and enforceable oversight to prevent a renewal of threat capabilities. Israel’s prime minister has cited his own legal and diplomatic constraints in relation to international fora, while US officials stress that the proposal remains a framework subject to negotiations and real-world security assurances.On the security front, several analysts and policymakers have suggested that Washington could pursue a blockade-style approach toward Iran rather than immediate direct strikes, depending on the trajectory of escalation and Tehran’s actions. The debate reflects a broader question about how to deter or deter-and-defeat an Iranian program seen as a persistent threat to regional stability and to Israeli security, while avoiding a broader war that could redraw alliances and trigger regional retaliation. The possibility of an Iranian response remains a central factor for policymakers in Jerusalem and Washington as events unfold.Israel is moving to strengthen its cyber defenses with a potential game-changing permanent cyber law. The proposed framework would convert the Israel National Cyber Directorate into a more formal, nationwide authority with a real-time reporting obligation for cyber incidents judged to present grave danger. The legislation envisions expanding reporting requirements to hundreds of organizations across the private and public sectors, balanced with oversight by the attorney general and a Knesset committee. Officials say the aim is to raise resilience in the face of intensified cyber threats from adversaries in the region, including Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, while addressing privacy and competitive concerns for private enterprises. If enacted, the law would mark a decisive step in national preparedness and incident response for Israel’s economy and critical infrastructure.The political arena in Jerusalem is also shaping the near-term security and defense posture. A letter circulating among opposition leaders lays out guiding principles for a post-Netanyahu government, focusing on a framework for conscription and national service. The proposals call for universal conscription at age 18, with the defense establishment alone determining whether individuals serve in the military or in civilian roles, and a Defense Ministry administered civilian-service track. The framework also emphasizes sanctions for noncompliance and a clear policy that benefits are tied to service. These ideas come as the opposition seeks to present a credible alternative that ...
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