Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-01 at 09:03 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-01 at 09:03

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-01 at 09:03

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 HEADLINESGaza Hamas conflict erupts wider amid strikesUS fortifies Middle East as Iran threatIDF chief Zamir meets Washington for talksThe time is now 9:02 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), Iran’s IRGC issued a statement to the European Union as Israeli forces said they destroyed a Hamas tunnel in Gaza, signaling ongoing cross-border hostilities. Separately, Switzerland-based Doctors Without Borders was ordered to halt activities in Gaza after refusing to turn over employee lists amid accusations it employed terrorists associated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Neighbouring states issued a wide condemnation in a joint statement over what they described as Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations in Gaza, warning that any further attack would be met with a broad military response, including submarines and a fleet capable of surface action. In Rafah, the crossing was readied to allow Gazans to pass through as Israel’s military posture remained on high alert and in contact with US counterparts. In southern Lebanon, the IDF said it struck a Hezbollah operative in the Al-Dweir area in response to continued ceasefire violations, and Lebanese sources reported casualties in a drone strike on a vehicle near Ad-Dweir in Nabatieh, with Israel later confirming strikes aimed at Hezbollah assets tied to rebuilding terror infrastructure. Hamas channels circulated a video featuring a briefing-like view of an Israeli minister during a visit to a farm noted for “red cattle,” part of ongoing information warfare surrounding the conflict.In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the United States is reinforcing air defenses in the Middle East, deploying THAAD and Patriot batteries to better protect allies as tensions rise, with a carrier strike group and advanced jets moving toward the region. A running narrative centers on whether Washington is prepared for a decisive strike, with some reporting indicating a shortfall in air-defense assets for allies such as Israel. Iran’s Supreme Leader warned that any US attack would automatically trigger a regional war and threatened to strike American embassies, underscoring the high stakes of any confrontation. Western sources say that since President Trump showed support for Iranian protesters, Tehran views a war with the United States as an existential threat and signals that negotiations are not possible under the current conditions. The broader picture includes Israeli actions in the region, including strikes against Hezbollah assets in southern Lebanon in response to provocations by Iran’s proxies.In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israel’s IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir made a secret weekend visit to Washington to meet with senior US defense officials, presenting sensitive intelligence and pressing for military options against Iran, with a focus on Iran’s progress in rebuilding its military capabilities and the need to address ballistic missile threats in any potential deal. The visits aimed to shape discussions on how Washington might approach limits on uranium enrichment without neglecting the missile threat, reflecting ongoing coordination between the two allies at the highest levels.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a commentary on the BBC’s decision to drop the word “Jewish” from Holocaust Memorial Day is presented as a reflection of a broader cultural pattern, described as institutional double standards and narrative erasure. A separate Times of Israel piece features Izabella Tabarovsky discussing the Soviet origins of anti-Zionism and how those ideas echo on contemporary campuses, highlighting persistent concerns about antisemitism in public discourse.In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government approved a broad package totaling about 60 million shekels to help restore businesses in northern border communities near Gaza, including Kiryat Shmone, Shlomi, and Metula, building on a prior package of roughly 610 million shekels aimed at northern resilience. Davidi, head of Moshav Margaliot, criticized a cabinet meeting held in the north as performative, calling it a “certificate of poverty” for the government as he cited economic stagnation and out-migration in the region, with local contractors saying activity is shifting to supporting people looking to leave.In Israeli Economy and Business, markets were rattled as gold and silver prices plunged over the weekend after a run to records, with gold retreating from around 5,600 dollars per ounce to a much lower range, while silver fell sharply as part of a broad commodities retreat. Despite the volatility, monthly data still show gains in the precious metals, and analysts note that the weak shekel has not derailed export strength, with continued growth in hi-tech service exports and ongoing investments in hi-tech firms.In Uplifting News, two ...
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