Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 14:05 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 14:05

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-13 at 14:05

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 HEADLINESIsrael links Gaza plan to hostage's remainsHamas leadership reshuffles after Sinwar's deathIran unrest kills thousands, West weighs sanctionsThe time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Good morning. Here is the latest from the region and around the Jewish world.Israel's Security Cabinet is due to convene this evening to discuss Phase Two of the Gaza peace plan. The central condition remains Hamas disarming and returning the remains of the last hostage, Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the Rafah border crossing will not reopen until Gvili’s remains are returned, a stance reiterated in recent reporting. Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the Israel Defense Forces to be prepared for the possibility of renewed operations in Gaza if Hamas does not comply. The discussions come as protests ripple across Iran, with observers watching for how Tehran’s actions and the domestic crisis there could affect the security calculations tied to the Gaza plan. In Washington, officials are weighing options in relation to Iran, balancing sanctions, diplomacy, and potential measures that would signal a firm stance without triggering broader escalation. In parallel, the United States faces a debate over how to respond to the protests in Iran, with discussions about engaging the Iranian opposition and calibrating pressure against the regime.On the Gaza front, international and regional dynamics continue to shape the path forward. Hamas has signaled it has no intention of disarming unilaterally, saying that any future disarmament would be part of a comprehensive settlement with a Palestinian state and not a unilateral surrender. The leadership question within Hamas remains unsettled as the group prepares for what sources describe as an intra‑faction process to choose a new top commander, in the wake of Yahya Sinwar’s death. The broader reality in Gaza remains dire for its civilian population, with continuing humanitarian pressures and a fragile ceasefire that has so far held but remains vulnerable to renewed violence if disarmament terms are not met or if ceasefire guarantees falter. The security challenge for Israel is not only military but political, as it seeks a durable arrangement while maintaining its security requirements and regional deterrence.Meanwhile, the Iranian crisis continues to unfold with significant regional and international implications. An Iranian official told Reuters that about two thousand people have been killed amid the protests, with authorities blaming terrorists for civilian and security fatalities. The scale of violence has drawn sharp reactions from regional and European leaders, alongside a UN rights office statement expressing horror at the surge in violence. The internet blackout and broad restrictions on communications complicate independent verification of casualty figures, and estimates vary widely among sources. Western capitals have discussed potential sanctions and diplomatic steps designed to pressure Tehran while avoiding a broader conflagration in the region. In Europe, leaders have condemned the crackdown and urged restraint, while humanitarian and human rights organizations called for accountability and protection for demonstrators. In the United States, officials have signaled readiness to consider a range of responses, from targeted sanctions to more robust diplomatic pressure, while avoiding actions that could escalate into broader military conflict. The Iranian leadership has responded by arguing that outside meddling seeks to derail the regime and has cited tensions with the United States and Israel as factors fueling the unrest.Within regional and domestic policy circles in Israel, observers are watching a number of interconnected developments. In the West Bank and across adjacent areas, authorities continue to confront security challenges, including incidents involving individuals impersonating security forces and other criminal activity that has raised concerns about coercion, law enforcement, and the capacity of institutions to maintain order. Within Israel’s political sphere, discussions persist around the coalition’s ongoing efforts to shield Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from political and legal jeopardy, including debates over a potential High Court ruling on the matter. These discussions underscore the fragility of internal political cohesion at a moment of heightened regional tension and ongoing conflict in Gaza. At the same time, the government has stressed its commitment to maintaining security and governance across the south, including in the Negev, where governance, infrastructure, and social cohesion are viewed as essential to long‑term stability.In human interest and personal testimony, ex-hostages who spent long periods in Gaza have spoken about their experiences and the emotional aftermath of the conflict, including the moment ...
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