Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 16:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 16:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-12 at 16:07

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESIran crackdown: hundreds dead, thousands detainedIsrael to privatize IAI and RafaelGaza humanitarian crisis feeds Lebanon cross-border tensionThe time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.At eleven in the morning, the latest reporting from human rights groups and regional observers paints a grave picture of Iran’s ongoing crackdown on nationwide protests. Rights monitors say the confirmed death toll stands in the mid five hundreds, with hundreds of demonstrators killed as security services push to quell dissent across major cities. The figures released by one rights organization indicate more than ten thousand people have been detained since demonstrations began just over two weeks ago. In Tehran, images circulated of what appears to be hundreds of bodies laid out at a forensic facility south of the capital, underscoring the scale and the sense of urgency surrounding the crackdown. Families and doctors have warned that hospitals face an overwhelming influx of wounded and dead, with medical facilities described as under equipped for the surge.International concern has grown alongside the reporting of violence. The United Nations Secretary General said he is shocked by the reports of excessive force and violence used against protesters. In Tehran, a new round of statements from inside the regime has signaled a willingness to engage with outside interlocutors only on terms that preserve what officials call Iran’s security and sovereignty. At the same time, a notable development over the weekend saw the Iranian foreign minister reach out to a senior American envoy to discuss unrest and potential avenues for talks that could touch on broader diplomatic questions, including a possible restart of broader negotiations that could influence Iran’s nuclear program. US officials have indicated they are weighing multiple options, including diplomacy and pressure, while stressing that any shift would hinge on Tehran’s actions and compliance with existing international norms.Across Europe, the European Parliament moved to bar all diplomatic staff and representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from its premises, saying that the EU cannot be seen as giving cover to repression. The stance reflects a broad concern in Europe about the Iranian government’s handling of the protests and the messaging from Tehran to its citizens and to the wider world. In the Middle East, Turkey cautioned against foreign intervention in Iran. An official spokesman said outside involvement would risk worsening regional tensions and urged Tehran to resolve its internal problems through its own channels, while noting that stability in Iran is linked to wider regional security.On the ground inside Iran, Kurdish groups have publicly aligned with protests in demanding political change. Statements from Kurdish organizations in Iran emphasize unity in opposing what they describe as a regime that has long deprived minorities of political voice and rights. Some Kurdish factions have claimed operational gains against regime forces in specific locations, while others have warned of broader confrontations if violence continues. The broader Kurdish opposition is part of a mosaic of groups that have voiced dissatisfaction with the Iranian government, even as the regime accuses foreign actors of exploiting the unrest to sow instability.In related regional movements, Tehran has faced heightened scrutiny from allies and rivals as it navigates potential shifts in its diplomatic posture. The matter of Iran’s access to international communication networks has moved to the fore, with reports that authorities are widening efforts to shut down access to the internet and to disrupt satellite services used by protesters and independent media. Observers point to a substantial drop in online activity inside the country as authorities seek to prevent real-time sharing of events and organization across the country. The potential implications for information flow and civil society are significant, and analysts warn that prolonged digital isolation could hamper efforts to verify what is happening on the ground.Meanwhile, in Israel, the government moved forward with a plan long discussed in political and economic circles: the privatization of two major defense companies. Officials say the government intends to begin selling minority stakes in the Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in stages, with initial offerings planned for the second quarter of this year. The aim is to raise capital and introduce private-sector dynamics to entities that have played central roles in national defense, including missile defense, unmanned systems, and air defense capabilities. Company leaders have signaled a need to grow and diversify, and the government notes that selling smaller portions over time should help maintain stability in the market while preserving the state’s ...
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.