Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 22:08 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 22:08

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 22:08

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 HEADLINESIsrael grants PID independence from Prosecutorial gripIsrael unveils bold five-year force modernizationUS weighs diplomacy amid Iran protestsThe time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good evening. Here is the five o’clock briefing on developments affecting Israel, its security environment, and related regional and global dynamics.In Israel, the Knesset advanced a major structural change by approving the first reading of a bill to separate the Police Investigation Department from the State Prosecutor’s Office, placing the division under the Justice Ministry as an independent department. The plan envisions appointing the head of the Police Investigation Department through a professional committee, with qualifications akin to those of a Supreme Court justice, and granting the department full financial and administrative independence. It would empower the department to file indictments in cases it investigates and establish a retired judge as a neutral arbiter to resolve disputes between investigative and prosecutorial bodies. The bill would also authorize the department to investigate civilian volunteers in the Civilian Guard and police officers for offenses with sentences of less than a year, and create a new post to adjudicate professional disputes with other bodies. Supporters argue the move would shield investigative work from political pressure and ensure the police can pursue serious offenses without bias. The government has framed the step as correcting an inherent conflict of interest created when a prosecutorial body oversees police investigations and would place PID on a path toward greater professional autonomy.In the naval and shipping sphere, the Danish firm Maersk reported that another vessel successfully navigated the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, marking a cautious return to the East-West corridor via the Suez Canal as a Gaza ceasefire holds. The voyage, a step in a measured, phased resumption of traffic, followed a previous Red Sea crossing earlier in the month. Maersk said that contingent on security thresholds being met, it would proceed with a careful, incremental return to service along the route, with no additional sailings announced at this time. The route’s reopening carries potential implications for freight rates and transit times, given the region’s volatility and past disruptions linked to regional conflict.In Washington, a report in The Wall Street Journal described ongoing discussions among senior officials about how the United States might respond to the protests in Iran, including the possibility of diplomacy before any military action. The report noted that President Donald Trump’s team is weighing options that could include renewed negotiations with Tehran as one path, while other advisers advocate a range of responses, including sanctions and cyber measures or support for Iranian opposition activities. The White House affirmed that diplomacy remains on the table, but cautioned that any decision would consider all options in light of the protests and Tehran’s crackdown. The reporting reflects a broader policy debate in Washington about how to balance public support for Iranian protesters with strategic considerations in the region.In Israel, President Isaac Herzog addressed faith leaders at the annual Christmas and New Year’s reception, expressing concern about the exodus of young Christian families and underscoring the importance of security and hospitality for all communities. He invoked the Abraham Accords as a framework for regional peace and prosperity and urged religious leaders to promote peace and reconciliation across the region. Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos the Third reiterated calls for ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the protection of holy sites, emphasizing the need for Christians in the Holy Land to live in safety and dignity.On technology and information space, reports indicate that Iran is continuing a broad crackdown on protest activity while the national internet remains largely shut down. In this environment, the satellite internet service Starlink has reportedly remained operable in parts of the country, offering a communications lifeline to some protesters despite being banned by authorities. Observers note the service’s reach remains uneven and potentially vulnerable to interference or jamming, and SpaceX has not publicly commented on the situation. The broader dynamic illustrates how private digital infrastructure can influence protest movements during periods of state disruption.In legal and human rights developments, the Hind Rajab Foundation filed a war crimes complaint in Austria against an Israeli former soldier who served in Gaza and is currently residing in the country. The foundation alleges involvement in the destruction of civilian infrastructure during Gaza operations and points to units tied to the Gaza conflict as part of its broader ...
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