Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-01 at 05:03 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-01 at 05:03

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-01 at 05:03

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 HEADLINESRafah Pilot Underway as Gazans AwaitKhamenei Warns US Attack Could Spark WarUS Warns Iran Pivot Risks DestabilizingThe time is now 5:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), preparations to reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing are underway as part of a pilot program, with officials saying it remains uncertain whether Palestinians will pass through by day’s end. Before the war, Rafah was Gaza’s main exit to the outside world and a key aid entry point, and it has been largely shut since May 2024. The crossing is planned to reopen in both directions for Gaza residents on foot, with operations coordinated with Egypt and the European Union. A European source close to the EU mission confirmed the details, and Palestinian officials indicated further steps would follow as preparations are completed. In the pilot phase, dozens of ambulances entered Gaza from Egypt to prepare for evacuations of wounded and ill Gazans; Egyptian Red Crescent vehicles were reported and hospitals in northern Sinai said they were ready to receive patients. An Israeli security official said the pilot opening is progressing but it remains unclear whether Gaza residents will travel today, and Palestinian officials and others have arrived on the Egyptian side ahead of the start of formal operations on the Palestinian side.In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a US attack would trigger a regional war and that Iran would respond strongly, while saying Tehran does not seek conflict but will strike back against aggressors. In Tehran, lawmakers wore Revolutionary Guard uniforms to back a measure designating European armies as terrorist organizations, with the Revolutionary Guard flag raised at the parliament podium as part of showing solidarity with the elite force. Tehran also signaled that a diplomatic solution remains possible, but a regional confrontation would follow any American strike; the United States has positioned a significant naval presence in the region, including six destroyers, one aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships. An Israeli assessment circulated in the region suggested Iran would not accept terms that curb its defensive posture, warning that current tensions could lead to broader hostilities if diplomacy fails.In United States Policy Concerning Israel, there are warnings of a potential shift in Washington’s approach to Iran that worry Israel. Officials cautioned that a pivot by President Donald Trump could be dangerous in the current regional climate. A senior United States official said the president’s patience with diplomacy toward Iran is not unlimited and that Washington is prepared to consider military action if Tehran does not respond, stressing that the United States does not seek to destabilize Iran or to turn it into another Libya. In Israel, there is concern a future United States agreement with Iran might be partial and fail to address core issues, potentially reshaping regional calculations. President Trump himself said Iran is seriously engaging in talks with the United States on a nuclear deal and warned that very powerful ships are heading toward Iran. Separately, in a domestic legal matter, a Minnesota federal judge declined to halt a broad immigration enforcement operation tied to protests in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Britannica removed a map labeling Israel as “Palestine” after backlash, with critics arguing the encyclopedia erased Israel’s existence and promoted a political agenda. The update cited concerns about safety, distortion of history, and antisemitic slogans.In Israeli Domestic Politics, the public discourse featured sharp exchanges and high-stakes political dynamics. A spokesperson for the Likud defended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s limited media appearances and criticized the media as hostile, following a heated on-air exchange with journalist Haim Levinson about the value of interviews with the prime minister. Tali Gottlieb faced strong criticism, with one commentator calling a recent move a dangerous mistake. Former hostage campaign figure Gal Hirsch defended his approach, while families of the hostages pushed back against claims that weekly protests aided Hamas. Yuli Edelstein was the subject of scrutiny in a widely reported interview, with expectations for revelations not met. A draft exemption bill for the Haredi community was described in detail, and supporters argued for a permanent arrangement that would entrench most eligible conscripts in studies or yeshivas while a minority would enlist; critics warned the proposal could destabilize the government.In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel announced major capacity-building projects. In the Negev, plans for a space city in the Mitzpe Ramon area, backed by a...
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