Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 19:02 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 19:02

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-29 at 19:02

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 HEADLINESNachshon-class ships unlock Gaza supply lifeline255 hostages recovered as HQ closesUS outlines phased end to Israel-Hamas warThe time is now 2:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This is the hourly news update reflecting the latest reporting from the region. The Israeli navy has disclosed for the first time details of its new Nachshon class amphibious ships operating behind Hamas lines in Gaza, revealing they can carry dozens of troops, large vehicles, and substantial supplies in support of broader ground operations. Two senior IDF officers described launches that previously had remained highly classified, noting that the ships can move substantial quantities of water, ammunition, fuel, food, and other essential items to frontline units, with air support and intelligence coordination playing a critical role in planning and execution. Each Nachshon vessel carries about 45 sailors, and the operation described required meticulous pre-mission training, including the construction of landing-area models to rehearse the approach and timing. The revelation places emphasis on the evolving naval dimension of Israel’s Gaza campaign, where the navy complements air and land forces and aims to sustain forward units that might otherwise be hard-pressed to resupply.In related military developments, Israeli authorities reported the successful recovery of 255 hostages and the subsequent closure of the Israeli army’s Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters, marking a turning point in the hostage recovery operation tied to the ceasefire framework. The operation’s complexity reflected the frequent movement of captives within Gaza and the necessity of continuous intelligence work to secure families and return remains. The Israeli defense establishment has stressed that the hostage exchange mechanism remains central to the wider end-state of the conflict, even as fighting continues in some areas and negotiations proceed in parallel tracks.On the international front, a statement from a Western-aligned analysis section noted that US policy circles are weighing a broader set of tools in response to Iran’s regional posture. In Washington, commentary circulated about a further phase of a plan to end the Israel-Hamas war, with US officials stressing that any future steps would require careful coordination with regional partners and careful management of civilian harm. Public statements from the White House and a US special envoy stressed the need to proceed with a calibrated approach that seeks to deter aggression while avoiding a broader regional conflagration.Across the region, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq declared their support for the Islamic Republic should war expand, signaling concern about US or Israeli action and signaling potential strikes in response to perceived threats. Leaders from groups close to Iran, including factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces, warned that any attack on Iran would provoke a regional response, including in Iraq. The comments come as US and allied forces consider options in the broader region, with some officials warning that air power alone cannot deter or defeat a heavily armed regime and its network of proxies.Separately, Iranian authorities intensified security measures at home, including a broad crackdown on protesters that rights groups describe as the heaviest crackdown since the 1979 revolution. Police and security forces conducted mass arrests, and communications were restricted in the streets as the regime sought to deter possible revivals of protests. Amnesty International and other rights groups have warned about the severity of the crackdown, including detentions of minors and medical personnel. The international reaction has focused on calls for restraint and for access to information for detainees and families, with observers noting the fragile state of civil liberties in times of heightened security concerns.In Europe and at the United Nations, voices emphasizing the importance of multilateral approaches continued to shape commentary on the broader regional order. The UN Secretary-General underscored that global problems will not be solved by a single power or by forceful carve-outs of influence, calling for cooperation within international law and multilateral institutions. He also highlighted the governance challenges posed by rapid technological change, urging safeguards and governance mechanisms for artificial intelligence to prevent instability as technology increasingly influences conflict dynamics and civil life. The remarks arrived amid broader conversations about how major powers should coordinate on security issues in the Middle East and beyond, including on potential sanctions, diplomacy, and crisis management.Domestically, tension remains visible in the West Bank, where large groups of Jewish worshippers gathered at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus for daylight prayers, an event described by ...
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