Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-31 at 19:03 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-31 at 19:03

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-31 at 19:03

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 HEADLINESIDF Kills Four Hamas PIJ CommandersIran Missile Tests Escalate War PrepUS Approves 6.5B Israel Arms PackageThe time is now 7:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Spain’s high court opened a terrorism-financing probe into a 38-year-old man described as a Chinese national who ran a hair salon in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Investigators say he sent about €600,000 in cryptocurrency transfers to digital addresses linked to a Hamas-related entity, with at least 31 transfers documented. He was detained on Tuesday and later released pending proceedings, with restrictions including surrendering his passport and reporting regularly to the court, in a case overseen by Audiencia Nacional and Mossos d’Esquadra. The inquiry began in June 2025 as a separate fraud and money-laundering probe before investigators flagged crypto activity and escalated the matter to terrorism-financing. Searches of his home and business produced seizures. Separately, the IDF says it struck four Hamas and PIJ commanders and additional terrorists in strikes across the Gaza Strip, including a weapons storage site, a weapons manufacturing site, and two Hamas launch sites in central Gaza. Qatar condemned Israel for allegedly breaching the ceasefire after an IDF strike targeted terrorists, including a Hamas commander.In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said it struck and eliminated a terrorist who took part in attempts to reestablish Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the Markaba area in southern Lebanon. Earlier today, Iranian forces conducted missile tests, launching medium-range missiles over the skies of Karaj, Khuzestan, and Isfahan, with Fateh long-range missiles tested in Arak. Tehran’s crisis-management chief Ali Nasiri said the country is preparing for war, with 300 underground complexes and 82 metro stations converted into shelters and protected spaces. Satellite imagery shows roofs built over Isfahan and Natanz facilities damaged last year, with analysts saying the coverings may be intended to conceal inspection, repair, or recovery work at the sites, while newer imagery indicates the roofs now prevent aerial observation. Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei visited the grave of Ruhollah Khomeini to mark the 47th anniversary of his return from exile, accompanied by Hassan Khomeini, who is described as a leading potential successor. Mehdi Karroubi, a reformist leader, lamented the terrible crackdown on Iranians and urged a return to the people through a free referendum, noting his long house arrest.In US Policy Concerning Israel, the US State Department has approved more than $6.5 billion in potential Foreign Military Sales to Israel, according to notifications sent to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on January 30, 2026, under the Trump administration. An opinion piece examines whether Venezuela might receive a similar “Gaza treatment” from the United States, arguing that Washington faces armed actors in Venezuela and detailing the broader geopolitical context, including foreign interests. Separately, the United States approved a possible $3.8 billion sale of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Israel, encompassing 30 helicopters and 70 engines along with advanced night-vision and targeting systems, radar, and support equipment, with funding set aside for a smaller initial tranche and additional aircraft contingent on future budget decisions.In Israeli Domestic Politics, extreme right-wing activists blocked the car of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday, with 26-year-old Mordechai David identified at the scene after he was seen taking the same action against Barak on a prior occasion. The episode followed earlier confrontations at events linked to public activism and outside the home of another social activist. In a separate development, Mordechai David was summoned for questioning the next morning at a Tel Aviv-area police station, with David Linon Gal vowing that if an arrest occurs, he will personally sue the police chief over alleged selective enforcement.In Uplifting News, Australian IDF soldiers remembered the Bondi shooting as they served abroad, with Yedidia, Yuli, and Gidi reflecting on fear and duty while in the Hesder program. Elsewhere, advocacy and travel coverage highlight Israel’s growing appeal of Vietnam as a destination, after Arkia launched a direct flight to Hanoi; about 50,000 Israelis reportedly visited Vietnam last year, drawn by the culture, food, and affordability. Cyprus is described as Israel’s favored island escape, with Israelis flying there year-round and roughly 600,000 visitors recorded in 2025, aided by about 10 daily flights and a welcoming, familiar atmosphere.In Other News, a federal judge ordered the release of Adrian Conejo Arias and his five-year-old son, Liam Conejo Ramos, who were detained during a ...
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