Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 11:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 11:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 11:07

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 HEADLINESIDF rescues last hostage Ran GviliGaza demilitarization hurdle blocks peace planEU to designate IRGC amid Iran tensionsThe time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.It’s 6:00 AM. This is a briefing on the latest developments shaping the Middle East, with emphasis on Israeli security concerns and relevant US policy positions, viewed in a broader regional context.In Israel, new disclosures shed light on how the IDF managed hostage intelligence during the Gaza war. An IDF senior official confirmed that, at times, security forces deliberately avoided killing Gazan militants who knew where Israeli hostages were being held in order to preserve access to up-to-date information that could assist rescue efforts. Mossad participated in some operations, mainly in negotiations and select actions, according to the same briefing. Officials noted that hostage movement within Gaza City was more frequent than in other areas, creating a complex and dynamic targeting environment. The hostage affairs center described its work as huge and demanding, supported by thousands of personnel over the course of the conflict. While the operation to recover a last missing hostage, Ran Gvili, was ultimately successful, officials emphasized the considerable uncertainty that surrounded such missions and the need to weigh potential gains against risks. They also described a refined training program after past incidents and said enhanced intelligence standards have been adopted to ensure more precise handling of hostage scenarios moving forward. The episode underscored how living hostages required different methods from remains, with dedicated units and specialized expertise necessary to manage ongoing movement and guard risk. The broader takeaway cited by officials is that the war produced substantial gains in clarity about the fate of missing Israelis, even as some cases remained challenging to resolve.On the battlefield and in the arena of policy, Israeli officials continue to emphasize that disarming Gaza’s militant groups remains a central challenge in any peace framework. A US State Department line, cited in recent briefings, frames demilitarization as the core hurdle of any Gaza peace plan, including the need to address more than 60,000 rifles held by roughly 20,000 militants. While Israel’s security concerns focus on preventing renewed hostilities and ensuring the safety of ordinary residents, diplomats point to the difficulty of dismantling a fortified network that has endured through multiple rounds of conflict. Separately, escalation in Gaza risks and the ongoing political and legal scrutiny around hostage closeouts continue to influence Israeli decision-making and the tempo of operations.Toward the broader region, Iran’s posture remains central to the current security calculus. An Iranian official-quoted briefing describes Tehran as viewing a negotiated settlement with the United States as costlier than engaging in further confrontation, a stance reflected in regional commentary and media reporting. Washington has moved assets into the area, including a carrier strike group, and American officials have signaled readiness to consider a range of options, including more forceful measures if Iran does not meet American demands. In parallel, US sources and Reuters reporting indicate that discussions among Washington, Tehran, and regional intermediaries have produced a cautious sense that air power alone is unlikely to produce the regime’s collapse; rather, any strategic outcome would likely require a combination of external pressure and domestic dynamics inside Iran. Israeli officials, for their part, have stressed that removing the regime through air power alone is unlikely and that progress would require broader regional and internal factors.On the diplomatic front, Europe appears poised to increase pressure on Iran’s core security structures. The European Union has discussed designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, with Spain, Italy, and France reportedly moving toward alignment after earlier hesitation in response to reports of mass protests and state violence in Iran. Sweden’s right-wing Sweden Democrats leadership has also called for a national terror list that would include the IRGC and the Muslim Brotherhood, arguing that a more comprehensive designation framework would support counterterrorism efforts and address antisemitism concerns tied to extremist networks. Public dialogue from European capitals reflects a debate over how to balance adversarial confrontation with strategic engagement, especially given Iran’s regional reach and the ongoing challenges posed by its missile and drone programs.Meanwhile, regional diplomacy continues to unfold in parallel with security concerns. Turkish mediation channels and broader Gulf interests are cited in discussions about strategic conversations with Iran and ...
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