Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 02:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 02:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 02:08

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESGaza Tunnels Booby-Trapped, Hamas Tightens SecurityNiger Gunfire Near Niamey Airport Sparks FearTrump Weighs Strikes Against IranThe time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.A night of scattered crises and high-stakes diplomacy shapes a widening regional tapestry. In Niger, near Niamey International Airport, sustained gunfire and loud blasts were reported as violence in the Sahel persists amid jihadist attacks tied to groups with al-Qaeda and Islamic State networks. A Reuters witness described heavy gunfire beginning about an hour earlier and continuing into the early hours; a social media video appeared to show the city’s night skyline lit by gunfire, though confirmation was limited. Niger’s military government, which seized power in 2023, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The broader Sahel region remains volatile, with past attacks on Nigerien troops in border areas near Mali and Burkina Faso underscoring a persistent security challenge for authorities and civilians alike.In northeast Colombia, a Satena Beechcraft 1900 passenger flight from Cúcuta to Ocana crashed, killing all 15 people on board, including local lawmaker Diógenes Quintero. Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft 12 minutes after takeoff. The cause of the crash was not disclosed. The flight originated near Colombia’s border with Venezuela, in an area where coca cultivation and illicit armed groups operate. The tragedy adds to a wave of regional concerns about safety and security in border regions.Turning to the Gaza Strip, reporting indicates anti-Hamas groups are employing new tactics that heighten security concerns for Hamas and intensify the risk environment in a compressed urban theater. The Gaza context has residents living with intensified security measures, with armed gangs described as expanding into booby-trapped structures and tunnels to detect explosives left by Hamas. Hamas has responded by strengthening personal security for its members and urging vigilance, while seeking to deter outside threats. The evolving tactics come as Hamas and allied factions confront shifting security dynamics in Gaza’s densely populated neighborhoods and along its perimeter.In Israel’s security and political sphere, a report from N12, cited by Reuters, claims Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down 11 assassination plans against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the months before the October 7, 2023 attacks. The Israeli government disputed the account, calling it false, but the claim underscores persistent debates inside Israel about when and how to confront Hamas leadership. The broader context remains that Israel’s security establishment emphasizes a broad, multiagency approach to deter and respond to threats from Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and other regional actors.Across the region, President Donald Trump is weighing options against Iran that could include targeted strikes against security forces and leaders to spark protests and push for changes in Tehran, according to multiple sources. While some US officials warn that air power alone cannot topple Iran’s clerical leadership, advocates argue that sanctions and pressure, plus support for domestic opposition, may be required to shift Iran’s political trajectory. The discussion comes as an aircraft carrier armada and supporting forces have been positioned in the Middle East, expanding Washington’s options. Israeli officials have cautioned that airstrikes alone are unlikely to topple the regime; a broader strategy would require coordinated external pressure and a credible domestic alternative to Iran’s leadership. Regional officials warn that a misstep could provoke wider conflict or retaliation against US and allied interests, and Gulf states have urged caution about escalation.In Israel’s domestic arena, the Knesset approved the first reading of the 2026 state budget by a 62-55 vote, with defense and security allocations highlighted as central components. The budget totals roughly 811.74 billion shekels (about 262 billion dollars), including substantial funding for defense and security agencies. Last‑minute negotiations shaped allocations concerning the ultra‑Orthodox community’s draft exemption, with Shas and Degel HaTorah joining the coalition’s support after concessions. Agudat Yisrael’s MPs abstained or opposed certain provisions tied to conscription, arguing broader questions of equity and religious study, and signaling ongoing tensions between security demands and domestic exemptions. Politically, the government faces pressure to pass the full budget by a March deadline to avoid an automatic dissolution and elections later this year. Economically, ministers touted GDP growth and inflation containment, even as critics argued that resources favored political survivability over broader public needs.In a separate international dimension, the United States...
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.