Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-05 at 13:02 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-05 at 13:02

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-05 at 13:02

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESIran Open to Talks in OmanTwo Dead in Shuafat Refugee CampIMF Warns Israel Growth Hit by WarThe time is now 1:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, President Donald Trump said Iran is willing to negotiate because they do not want us involved, remarks delivered at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington in which he added that Iran “don’t want us to hit them” and that the United States has “a big fleet going over to Iran.” The remarks come amid reports that Tehran agreed to discuss its ballistic missile program and its support for proxy groups as part of US-Iran talks expected in Oman on Friday. Trump also described a NBC News interview in which the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “should be very worried,” insisting that peace in the Middle East depends on preventing a nuclear threat. On the diplomatic track, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Muscat, Oman, Thursday evening ahead of talks set for Friday morning that are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear program, with reports that the discussions will also address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its use of proxy groups. Iran requested the venue change from Turkey to Oman and exclusive focus on the nuclear program, prompting the US delegation to temporarily pause the meeting; Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later confirmed the talks are back on for 10 a.m. Muscat time and thanked Omani officials for arranging the new venue. Earlier in the week, Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss de-escalation, and to the extent conferences proceed, US officials say any meaningful talks would have to include Tehran’s missile arsenal and other issues, with Washington signaling readiness to engage if Iran demonstrates willingness to discuss key security concerns.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a shooting in the Shuafat refugee camp near Jerusalem left two men dead, with paramedics describing the victims as unconscious and not breathing before they were treated and rushed to Hadassah-University Medical Center on Mount Scopus. Police opened an investigation, and authorities said the incident appears to be criminal rather than ideological in nature, as violence continues to affect Israel’s Arab sector amid several related fatal incidents reported in recent days. In East Jerusalem, Jerusalem Municipality removed a planned discussion on a land allocation for a hotel project after three bereaved fathers of October 7 victims urged senior officials to halt what they called a “moral disgrace.” The fathers cited a US civil lawsuit alleging the project is linked to Bashar al-Masri, a Palestinian-American businessman accused of aiding Hamas, prompting officials to pause the proposal ahead of Monday’s committee meeting. Separately, activists behind the Global Sumud Flotilla said they plan to return in 2026 with a larger effort, aiming for 100 boats carrying up to 1,000 medics to Gaza after last year’s flotilla was halted by Israel and several participants were detained, including Greta Thunberg. The broader Gaza context remains debated in media discussions about postwar governance and civilian administration, with coverage noting the Rafah crossing has reopened to civilian movement under a multinational framework, while Israel reserves certain security authorities and ongoing international involvement could complicate future access and relief efforts.In Israeli Economy and Business, the IMF cautioned that Israel’s economic recovery from the Gaza war with Hamas could be overshadowed by renewed regional tensions, which would threaten growth through sustained high defense spending, higher risk premia, and a tighter labor market. The IMF’s initial country report states that the economy has shown resilience and activity picked up after the ceasefire, with growth expected to firm in the near term, but downside risks from potential renewed regional hostilities remain. The report highlights the war’s legacy, including elevated defense outlays, a squeeze on labor supply due to extended military mobilization, and reduced availability of non-Israeli workers, all of which could weigh on long-term growth even as the near-term outlook improves. The costs of the conflict have already been substantial, with estimates of the Gaza war’s economic toll cited as around 250 billion shekels, underscoring the continued vulnerability of growth to regional security dynamics.Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/international/article-885773https://www.jpost.com/...
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.