Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-05 at 10:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-05 at 10:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-05 at 10:07

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 HEADLINESRa’am Opens Ranks, Aims Broad Arab-Jewish SlateIran Protests Enter Seventh Night, Bread WoesRafah Crossing Reopen With EU MonitorsThe time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At five o’clock in the morning, here is the latest snapshot of developments shaping the Middle East and related regional dynamics. In Israel, the Arab political party Ra’am announces it will open its ranks to all Israeli citizens, establishing independent party institutions that would be civil and membership-based, with eligibility for its Knesset slate and a stated aim to recruit Jewish politicians who share the party’s agenda. Leader Mansour Abbas said there is currently no dialogue with Likud on potential cooperation and accused the government of abandoning Arab citizens while criminal groups gain what he calls “partial sovereignty” through extortion schemes. He cited 2025 as ending with 267 Arab homicide victims and argued that the state and society must respond to a surge in crime. Abbas also said Ra’am would broaden its base beyond its traditional Arab constituency, though he did not name candidates. In response, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s office rejected the accusation that he smiles at Arab killings, saying enforcement has intensified and money flowing to crime families has been halted; his office pointed to declines in shooting incidents in the Negev and car thefts and argued that current measures surpass previous efforts. Abbas warned that the government cannot allow criminal syndicates to establish a “state within a state” through protection rackets that resemble taxation, while he also acknowledged that religious guidance alone cannot dismantle entrenched networks without sustained state action. Turning to Iran, protests have entered a seventh night across more than 35 cities, with demonstrators highlighting economic hardship and political grievances. The opposition network known as The New Iran described decentralized protest methods designed to survive internet outages, including the use of VPNs and trusted channels to relay reports. Organizers say the death toll is higher than what officials acknowledge; accounts from activists describe a mix of large and smaller gatherings as the crackdown continues. In a detailed interview with activists inside Iran, a university professor described soaring bread prices and a widening gap between wages and the cost of living while noting that sanctions have constrained the regime’s ability to suppress dissent. Some protesters have chanted names associated with broader political change, including Reza Pahlavi in certain locales, and observers warn that without cohesive leadership and a credible political alternative, sustained change remains difficult. Elsewhere, international observers emphasize the importance of nonviolent avenues and the risk that internet blackouts and heavy security responses could escalate tensions. In Washington, President Trump said a military strike against Iran could be considered if Tehran does not accept terms, a remark set against ongoing diplomacy on a Ukrainian war-ending plan and amid European readings of Russian narratives intended to complicate negotiations. Meanwhile, European officials contend that Moscow’s allegations of a Ukrainian strike on Putin’s residence are aimed at destabilizing talks. On the Gaza and regional front, Israel weighs reopening the Rafah Crossing under pressure from the United States. Reports indicate a framework where a European Union monitoring force would supervise the crossing, while Israel would remotely screen entrants and their belongings to prevent weapon smuggling. The plan would make the flow of people one-directional in practice, with exit from Gaza greater than entry, and would restrict departures to certain categories, such as patients and their escorts, pending approval. In the north, Shin Bet has warned that Hezbollah seeks to influence demographics in Kiryat Shmona by encouraging Arab Israeli citizens to purchase homes there, a tactic officials describe as part of a longer-term strategy to reshape the city from within. A corresponding cabinet plan is being prepared to counter such efforts. The IDF has also issued a demolition order for the home of the terrorist linked to December’s attack that killed two people and wounded others, describing the measure as deterrence. In Venezuela, observers note that while the country holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, production remains suppressed by decades of mismanagement and sanctions. Analysts say a potential regime change could eventually boost exports, but the timing and path are uncertain. The Maduro era has also been a focal point for international commentary, with critics highlighting the broader implications for regional energy markets, while some supporters argue that eventual policy shifts could alter global supply dynamics. From ...
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