Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-25 at 14:03 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-25 at 14:03

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-25 at 14:03

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 HEADLINESIranian crypto flow violates sanctions via BinancePA funds half-billion to terrorists, sparks angerNetanyahu faces midnight meeting probe, testimony loomingThe time is now 2:02 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, the latest disclosures center on sanctions enforcement and security assessments. The New York Times reports that Iranians were able to access more than 1,500 Binance accounts last year, enabling about $1.7 billion to flow from two accounts to the Islamic regime’s terror proxies, a development that could violate global sanctions. Binance says it fired or suspended at least four employees involved in the internal investigation, citing violations of company protocol related to clients’ data. Separately, experts cited by The Jerusalem Post, including blockchain analytics firm NOMINIS.io, discuss how the regime has attempted to evade Western sanctions through cryptocurrency, a point that intersects with broader inquiries into how on-chain activity reflects sanctions enforcement. In Tehran, an opposition outlet says Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is living in a specially secured underground bunker complex made up of tunnels, as military and security officials assess the risk of a potential US attack, with reports that officials are blindfolded before meetings.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), new disclosures show the Palestinian Authority transferred roughly half a billion shekels to terrorists in 2025 under its pay-for-slay mechanism, with NIS 395 million going to terrorists imprisoned in Israel and NIS 92 million to the families of attackers killed in attacks; ministers were also told that terrorists released in hostage deals received a special grant. International criticism has grown since October 7, including a reported threat from the Trump administration to sanction PA officials if such payments continued, culminating in Mahmoud Abbas dismissing the Palestinian finance minister who signed off on the transfers. Separately, at the Bithonistim conference in Jerusalem, security experts laid out a national security strategy arguing the Gaza war should end with an IDF decisive victory, not with Indonesian peacekeepers or other foreign forces disarming Hamas. The presentation emphasized reassessing traditional doctrines of decisiveness and deterrence, with participants noting that deterrence has at times become its own purpose and expressing concern over how Israel maintains clear, credible deterrence.In the US Policy Concerning Israel, moments ahead of Geneva talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to meet US envoy teams led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with participation from the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and Oman’s foreign minister, as discussions center on whether a path remains to an agreement or if a US military option could rise. Officials caution that prospects are slim but not entirely ruled out, and Iran has said it will not abandon its nuclear activities, warning that US strikes could make American bases in Arab states legitimate targets. Separate reporting from Axios cites Witkoff telling AlPAC donors that any new nuclear deal must remain in effect indefinitely, with talks focused on nuclear issues but potential follow-on negotiations addressing Iran’s missile program and support for proxy militias, possibly involving regional partners; sticking points include Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity and the fate of its existing stockpiles. At the same time, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told a Knesset audience that threats facing Israel also threaten America, defending US security aid as a mutual investment. Additional remarks from Witkoff reiterated the demand that any new nuclear agreement last indefinitely. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance urged Iran to take US threats seriously as Washington signals readiness to use force if needed, amid broader sanctions actions linked to the Iranian regime’s behavior.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Britain won permission to appeal a ruling that its ban on the Palestinian Action group as a terrorist organization was unlawful. The High Court had ruled the designation unlawful, arguing it disproportionately restricted free speech, and the interior ministry was granted permission to challenge that ruling, keeping the government’s use of anti-terror laws under review.In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to provide open testimony in the midnight meeting affair, as Israeli media report on proceedings surrounding a late-night meeting between the PMO chief of staff and a former spokesperson tied to a probe into classified documents. The Attorney-General’s Office declined to comment, and the Lod District Court extended restrictions on certain participants while the inquiry continues.In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel Aerospace ...
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