Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 18:02 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 18:02

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 18:02

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 HEADLINES- EU brands IRGC a terrorist organization- Israel hits Hamas operative planning imminent attack- US pushes Phase II plan toward demilitarizationThe time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the 1:00 PM update. We begin with developments unfolding across the region and alongside global diplomacy, bearing in mind security concerns, civilian protection, and the shifting posture of major powers.A probe in Israel centers on a relative of Shin Bet chief David Zini in a smuggling case involving goods moved from Israel into Gaza. Police are leading the investigation, and the Shin Bet chief is not suspected of involvement. A gag order had previously limited discussion, and authorities say the case involves multiple suspects accused of moving restricted and dual-use items that some Hamas factions have reportedly benefited from. The investigation emphasizes the need for close coordination between police and security services while maintaining public transparency about the facts as they emerge.In Gaza, the Israeli military reports a precise strike against a Hamas operative alleged to have been planning an imminent attack against troops in the southern Gaza Strip. The army stressed that the operation followed a ceasefire framework, and steps were taken to minimize civilian harm, including precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and robust intelligence. Separately, remarks from US officials and foreign partners describe Phase II of a US-backed effort to end the Israel-Hamas war, a push described by some participants as moving toward demilitarization coupled with a broader political framework. US rhetoric has highlighted the role of a technocratic, all-Arab governance approach in the region’s stabilization, though opinions on the path forward remain varied across partners.Across the region, Iraqi-based militias with Iran ties have stepped up public signaling of support for Iran in the event of further conflict with the United States. Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and allied groups have urged resilience against what they describe as repeated sovereignty violations, and leaders have warned that American and Israeli actions could trigger a broader regional escalation. The tone underscores how Iraqi security dynamics and regional alignments could shape a potential conflict scenario, especially if US forces adjust posture in neighboring areas. The United States has recently relocated forces from certain bases in Iraq, while maintaining presence in the Kurdistan Region and continuing operations in eastern Syria as part of broader regional readiness.In US domestic politics, President Donald Trump accused Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of staging a syringe attack at a town hall. Omar said she is focusing on her work and confronting threats with resilience, while noting that rhetoric from national leaders has often amplified threats against her and her community. The exchange highlights how political calculations in Washington can influence perceptions of security and domestic unity during periods of international tension.Analysts continue to view Trump’s Iran policy as shifting. The president has warned that a new confrontation with Iran could be worse than past episodes and has signaled readiness to consider a range of options, from naval measures to targeted strikes. The administration’s approach emphasizes deterrence, sanctions, and diplomatic signals designed to constrain Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities while seeking to prevent a broader regional war. Capitol Hill discussion remains intricate as lawmakers weigh risks, allied sensitivities, and the potential spillover effects on partners in the Gulf and beyond.In bilateral security diplomacy, Israeli military and intelligence leaders recently traveled to the United States for consultations as the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the region. IDF intelligence chief Major-General Shlomi Binder and Mossad Director David Barnea met with senior US officials to exchange assessments on Iran’s capabilities, regional networks, and potential targets. The timing followed a high-level call between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, with discussions centered on sequencing of any anticipated actions and the deployment of regional defenses in support of allied partners.Elsewhere, the European Union took a consequential step by designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, joining the United States and other Western partners in a broad effort to limit the Guards’ external influence. The move, which also includes sanctions on individuals and entities tied to the Guards’ wider operations, drew praise from Israel’s foreign minister as a meaningful, historic decision and a potential constraint on Iran’s regional reach. Iran’s leadership decried the designation, warning of consequences, as European steps portend a potential rift in Europe-Iran ...
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