Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-28 at 23:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-28 at 23:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-28 at 23:07

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 HEADLINESIsrael Elections Under Siege, Volunteer Monitors RiseIran Warns of War; EU Targets IRGCJudicial Independence Under Siege in IsraelThe time is now 6:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. This is your hourly update on major developments shaping the region and the security environment facing Israel and its partners.In Israel, political maneuvering and concerns over election integrity are at the forefront. Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats, warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government may attempt to sabotage the upcoming elections. He called for a mass volunteer operation to safeguard ballot integrity, saying volunteers would be deployed as “eyes and ears in every polling station” to defend the Central Elections Committee and the courts from improper pressure. Golan tied the remarks to the day’s burial of hostage Ran Gvili and urged public resolve to ensure transparent and on-time elections. He said his party would build a nationwide monitoring network with observers in every precinct and urged public servants to pledge fidelity to the law. He added that the Democrats would seek the Justice and National Security portfolios after the vote and push a constitution to entrench Israel’s democratic foundations, promising that the party would be “the shield of Israeli democracy and the truth” and that elections would be fair and free of intimidation. Separately, reports described a heated debate within Israel’s security establishment over remarks by Prime Minister Netanyahu about a US arms embargo; several senior defense officials were described as furious, with Channel 12 reporting that the claim was seen as emotionally manipulative and not reflective of the IDF’s actual readiness or stockpiles. In response to the controversy, a bipartisan group of Israeli lawmakers from Labor, Blue and White, and Yesh Atid sent a letter to former President Joe Biden expressing deep regret over the remarks while reaffirming appreciation for US support and emphasizing the enduring partnership.In Washington, the political feedback surrounding Netanyahu’s comments intensified, with a letter from Israeli opposition lawmakers expressing gratitude for US support and urging continued collaboration. The episode has fed into a broader discussion about how public statements affect security cooperation and regional perceptions of American policy toward Israel.Meanwhile in Jerusalem, parliament moved on the budget process. The Knesset approved the first reading of the state budget for 2026 by a vote of 62 to 55. The plan totals about 811.74 billion shekels, comprising a regular budget and development and capital accounts. The vote highlighted tensions within the coalition, including divisions among ultra-Orthodox factions over the allocation of funds and policy priorities as the government navigates domestic pressures alongside security concerns.Judicial independence also dominated headlines. Supreme Court President Isaac Amit warned of a “full-fledged attack” on the judiciary, stressing that attempts to weaken the courts threaten democratic norms and the equal application of the law. The remarks come amid ongoing frictions over judicial appointments and the broader debate about the balance of power among Israel’s branches of government.Robust regional security concerns continue to loom large. Iran’s top security figures signaled a steadfast readiness to respond to any US strike. Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, wrote that a limited strike is an illusion and that any action by the United States would be treated as an act of war, with a warning that Tel Aviv and supporters of the aggressor would face a forceful response. Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Araghchi similarly underscored Iran’s willingness to respond, while leaving room for diplomacy on a nuclear agreement that would secure Iran’s rights to peaceful nuclear technology. The United States has stressed deterrence alongside commitments to regional allies, including Israel, as it positions itself to prevent escalation.In Europe, France has shifted its stance on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Paris now backs placing the IRGC on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations, aligning with recent moves by other major European powers and signaling a strengthened stance against Tehran’s crackdown on protests and its regional activities. With Germany and Italy also noted as supportive, the move is expected to move forward at a forthcoming European Union meeting.On the security tech front, Iran’s crackdown has extended to satellite communications. Iranian authorities reported the seizure of 51 Starlink satellite terminals in the Kurdistan province, bringing confirmed confiscations to 108 terminals in the current year. Officials described the devices as contraband and hidden among ordinary goods, highlighting a thriving ...
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