Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 20:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 20:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-27 at 20:08

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 HEADLINESIsrael budget hinges on haredi draftDoomsday Clock ticks closer amid Iran threatsISIS in Syria grows, Iraq weighs repatriationThe time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In Israel, the ruling coalition faces a defining moment as the 2026 state budget is set for a first reading vote this week amid a crisis with the two haredi parties over a contentious draft law on conscription. By law the budget must clear all three readings by the end of March, or the Knesset dissolves and elections are called. Government officials and coalition partners have signaled that agreements with Shas and United Torah Judaism could allow the budget to pass on Wednesday, but talks have been volatile and last minute changes have repeatedly unsettled the schedule. The stakes are high: without haredi support, the budget is unlikely to pass, raising the prospect of early elections that would set the political calendar for the year ahead. Prime Minister Netanyahu convened emergency meetings with Shas leader Arye Deri, UTJ’s Moshe Gafni, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after the last minute pullback of the budget from the plenum, underscoring the delicate balance the coalition must strike between security priorities and political demands from its base.In the same political arc, the broader argument over the haredi draft law remains central to the budget negotiations. The draft law has divided opinion at the Knesset and beyond, with critics arguing the current plan falls short of enforcing military service and that defense needs are pressing, especially after more than two years of conflict. The IDF has warned of urgent manpower needs, highlighting the security dimension that colors the budget debate. The coalition’s internal friction comes as the government operates on a tight timetable: a first reading this week is required to meet the March deadline, with 60 days typically required between readings for the budget to progress. Analysts note that even in the event of a late reading or a failed vote, elections are mandated by law within a defined window, though the pace and political dynamics could still shift as parties position themselves for voters ahead of potential early campaigns. As this unfolds, the government and opposition are preparing for a vote that will signal whether the coalition can endure the next phase of its program or whether a broader realignment is on the horizon.In regional security matters, a broader set of pressures continues to shape policy and reaction. Israel’s government has signaled a determinative stance toward Iran and its regional proxies, cautioning that any Iranian attack would prompt an unprecedented Israeli response. The rhetoric comes as foreign observers monitor how Israel, and its partners, calibrate deterrence and readiness in a landscape of shifting alliances and persistent threats. The United States continues to weigh a complex set of interests in the region, balancing deterrence of Iran with regional security commitments and stability, while maintaining cooperation with Israel on defense and intelligence challenges.Across the region, assessments of ISIS activity in Syria have grown more cautioned. Iraqi intelligence officials have warned of a resurgence, with estimates suggesting ISIS presence in Syria could have risen from a few thousand fighters to as many as ten thousand. Baghdad cautions that instability near the border and governance vacuums in Syria create ground for insurgent revival, even as US and international partners continue to monitor and intervene as appropriate. The dynamics in northeastern Syria remain delicate, with Kurdish-led forces cautious about centralizing authority under Damascus and concerns about the long-term political settlement, security guarantees, and prisoner repatriation that could influence future stability. Iraq says it may repatriate thousands of ISIS detainees held in Kurdish prisons, a move that underscores the interconnected risks of the region’s disorder and the continuing threat posed by Islamist militants.In a separate safety and security thread, authorities in Jordan and Israel reported a suspected border infiltration near Paran that prompted a red alert and a large security response. Subsequent assessments concluded the alert was a false alarm, with initial reports indicating Jordanian border police had pursued suspects who crossed into Israeli territory, prompting a temporary halt in traffic near Eilat. The incident adds to a pattern of heightened vigilance along the Jordanian frontier as security forces monitor potential cross-border threats and monitor interdiction capabilities.On the diplomatic front, bilateral and regional engagement continues to shape policy. A notable example is the visit by North Macedonian parliamentarian Rashela Mizrahi to Israel, described as a significant show of solidarity and a platform to expand practical cooperation across health...
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