Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-14 at 21:07 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-14 at 21:07

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-01-14 at 21:07

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 HEADLINESShin Bet names deputy chief amid reformsPhase two Gaza plan aims technocratic ruleBritain closes Tehran embassy amid Iran protestsThe time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.Today’s developments in the Middle East and related global diplomacy carry implications for security, governance, and diplomatic engagement across multiple countries and actors. In Israel, the Shin Bet announced a leadership change at the agency. Shin Bet chief David Zini named “N.” as the deputy head, a move that has received Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval and is expected to take effect next month. The public security service did not provide further details about the appointee, but the appointment underscores ongoing efforts to refresh key security leadership as Israel confronts regional tensions and internal national debates about security and governance.A new snapshot from the Jewish People Policy Institute offers a window into domestic attitudes toward the Netanyahu administration amid ongoing investigations. The Israeli Society Index for December 2025 through January 2026 shows a majority viewing the so-called “Qatargate” affair as serious. About 61% describe the matter as serious, with 47% saying Netanyahu should be investigated to determine personal involvement in the affair. The findings also show a sharp partisan split: support for an investigation is strongest among left- and center-identified groups, while many right-leaning voters view the issue as less problematic. Trust in the government remains low overall, with Arab respondents expressing higher levels of distrust than Jewish respondents. The survey polled 766 adults and was conducted online in the Jewish sector and through a mix of online and phone surveys in the Arab sector.Internationally, Britain temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran and shifted to remote operations amid protests and tensions in Iran. A government spokesperson indicated the closure is a consular adjustment, with travel advice updated accordingly as demonstrations and security conditions evolve. The move follows a broader pattern of Western governments reassessing their diplomatic footprints in Iran as protests continue to challenge the Tehran leadership.In Washington, Reuters and other outlets have reported a flurry of activity around Gaza and the broader conflict. A phase two rollout of President Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan was announced, detailing a transition toward a technocratic Palestinian administration for Gaza and a push for demilitarization and reconstruction. The plan envisions a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, with mediation support from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey; the Palestinian Authority has publicly supported the mediators’ efforts, while Hamas and Islamic Jihad have indicated alignment with the pathway, though the specifics of weapon disarmament and implementation remain under discussion. US officials emphasized that achieving hostage return and weapons decommissioning are central objectives, and that phase two relies on continued cooperation from all parties.Israel’s leadership has reiterated that bringing home captured or fallen service members remains a top priority. Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that information about Ran Gvili’s whereabouts must translate into concrete actions on the ground, and that the move to form a technocratic Gaza administration should not impede efforts to repatriate or honor hostages. The Israeli government has signaled a careful approach to phase two, highlighting the need for reliable progress on hostages alongside any steps toward broader Gaza governance and reconstruction.On the security front, the Israeli Defense Forces reiterated a stance of preparedness in the face of potential regional escalation. An official statement from the IDF, through its home front command, affirmed that there are no changes to home-front instructions at this time and urged the public to rely on official IDF channels for updates. Shelter openings in Beersheba reflect ongoing readiness to respond to potential threats, while officials in Israel continue to assess developments linked to Iran and to the broader regional dynamics.In the political arena, former defense chief and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz has floated the possibility of a unity government that excludes both extreme-right and Arab party blocs, framing a strategy around “anybody but extremists.” His comments come as poll projections show a continued electoral deadlock under current alignments, with Likud and its coalition partners holding the largest share but not enough to form a government. Gantz argues that a broad-based government could address core issues such as judicial reform and the conscription of Haredi Jews, though his current support base remains fragile in the short term. Analysts note that the path to any new governing coalition would require cross-block ...
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