Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-23 at 09:02 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-23 at 09:02

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-23 at 09:02

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESHamas Prisoner Release Sparks Border Cell FearsUS Deploys Naval Force Amid Gaza TensionsKarmiel Plot Foiled Four Arabs ChargedThe time is now 9:01 AM 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), experts warn that Hamas terrorists released into Egypt as part of the final ceasefire-hostage deal could form new cells on Israel’s border, in a pattern echoed by militants seen in Lebanon, Kuwait, and Tunisia. Ruth Wasserman Lande, the former deputy ambassador to Cairo, told The Jerusalem Post that Egyptian intelligence and security are very vigilant of every Palestinian, especially those who were in Israeli prisons, and they will monitor every step. She said there is concern the released prisoners could radicalize the local Egyptian population, and she suspects they may not be allowed to remain in Egypt, with some possibility they could be returned to the Gaza Strip to protect Egyptian territory.In US Policy Concerning Israel, the US Embassy in Beirut evacuated dozens of non-essential personnel as a precautionary measure amid anticipated regional developments, with no official statement issued yet. The move comes as Washington has assembled a significant naval and air presence in the region, including two destroyers in the Mediterranean, one in the Red Sea, four in the Persian Gulf, and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln accompanied by four destroyers in the Arabian Sea, along with the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Mediterranean and a deployment of more than 50 fighter jets in the last day to the area. Separately, Axios reports that internal Democratic National Committee research into the 2024 election found that the party’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza contributed to a loss of support among some young voters and progressives, with DNC officials noting extensive interviews and consultations with activist groups such as the IMEU Policy Project. The discussions highlighted that support among these groups cooled in response to the administration’s Gaza policy.In Israeli Domestic Politics, analysts note that new right-wing parties continue to struggle to unseat Likud. Polls show more than ten mandates’ worth of soft-right voters who backed Netanyahu in 2022 may still be seeking an alternative, but past attempts to form a rival right-wing force have repeatedly failed, and there is concern that former prime minister Naftali Bennett could still siphon votes to form a government with the Left and the Arabs. Some envision a new party composed of figures not tied to the October 7 failures to harvest Bennett’s vote, hoping to secure a right-wing majority in 2026, yet the historical record suggests such ventures have not produced durable success. In another political development, the Jerusalem District Court rejected National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s bid to delay the promotion of police officer Rinat Saban, ruling that delaying a decision on appeal would harm the public interest in an independent police force and could chill investigative bodies; the promotion has already been held up for more than ten months.Also in Israeli domestic affairs, four Israeli Arabs have been charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act after Shin Bet and Israel Police foiled a planned shooting attack on IDF soldiers in Karmiel. The suspects corresponded via WhatsApp about the fighting in Gaza and a stabbing attack in the city during the summer of 2024, and were found to have been planning to carry out the shooting.In Israeli Economy and Business, a Health Committee session highlighted alarming levels of pesticide contamination in Palestinian-produced goods entering Israel. Nearly half of cucumbers imported from the Palestinian Authority were found to be contaminated, with approximately 15,000 tons entering annually. Lawmaker Limor Son-Har Melech of Otzma Yehudit urged banning PA agricultural imports, arguing the data show health risks from pesticide residues and warning the pollutants could cause cancer, liver and kidney damage, and developmental harm to children. She pointed out that while procedures require lab testing before market, in practice toxic produce can reach Israeli shelves days before results are available, raising concerns about consumer safety.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/middle-east/article-887627https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-887628https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-887625https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-887587https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-887624https://www.ynetnews.com/article/pskmabu82https://...
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.