HEADLINES
- Brave Heart aims to recover Ran Gvili
- Gunfire hits Israeli vehicle near Nablus
- 17 arrested in National League match fixing

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This morning the Middle East landscape is being shaped by ongoing security operations, humanitarian questions, and new diplomatic moves as each side weighs its next steps. In the West Bank, the Israeli military is investigating gunfire directed at an Israeli vehicle near Mount Ebal outside Nablus. There were no injuries, and forces are moving to secure the area and search for suspects. Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said the driver had mistakenly entered the outskirts of Nablus and, during a U‑turn to return to the main road, encountered three men at the checkpoint. He said one assailant jumped onto the vehicle and fired; the motorist escaped unharmed and later found damage to the car’s hood. The incident remains under investigation as security forces work to locate those responsible.

In other developments, a one‑week‑old baby was found in the stairwell of a public building in Hadera. Police transferred the infant to city welfare services, and emergency responders transported the baby to a hospital for care. Bituach Leumi said employees helped after the baby was found, and welfare authorities are cooperating with police to locate the child’s parents. The baby’s condition was described as stable, and responders spoke of taking steps to prevent hypothermia as a precaution. This is being treated as an ongoing welfare and safety matter.

On the regional security front, the Israeli military announced several high‑stakes moves. In Gaza, the IDF has launched Operation Brave Heart to recover the remains of Ran Gvili, a soldier whose remains are believed to be in a Gaza City cemetery. Dozens of graves have been opened for forensic examination, including dental analysis, as part of the search. The operation is proceeding amid careful coordination with US partners and within the framework of ongoing combat operations in the area. Military planners say the process could continue for days as teams work to locate the remains and confirm identification.

Across the border in Lebanon, the IDF reported another round of strikes against Hezbollah targets in multiple phases, underscoring the enduring volatility of that front. In related reporting, the army has identified and disciplined a number of previously unknown targets as it pursues efforts to degrade Hezbollah’s operational capabilities.

Turning to broader security concerns, Israeli authorities announced that 17 people linked to a soccer club in the country’s National League were arrested in a long‑running match‑fixing probe conducted with the Israel Football Association. Police described a criminal organization that allegedly used the club as a vehicle for fixing matches, illicit betting, and money laundering, with tens of millions of shekels moving through the scheme. Investigators said some suspects are active players and senior club officials, and they indicated that further questioning and remand extensions may follow as the investigation continues.

In domestic policy, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government approved a 6.2 billion shekel package to support IDF reservists for 2026, supplementing existing grants to reservists and their families. Officials stressed that many families have faced financial hardship due to the demands of military service over the past two years, and the package is intended to help sustain service and readiness.

On the diplomatic front, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met in Baku with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other senior officials to advance energy, AI, agriculture, water management, defense, and tourism cooperation. A large Israeli business delegation accompanied the visit, and Azerbaijan’s government is pursuing partnerships in agri‑tech and other fields as it looks to diversify its ties with Israel. Sa’ar noted plans for further engagement on multiple tracks, including potential visits by Aliyev to Israel. The visit also touched on the broader regional context, including relations with Central Asian states and the Abraham Accords’ evolving footprint in the region.

Meanwhile, a Brazilian presidential candidate, Flávio Bolsonaro, visited the West Bank, touring Samaria settlements with his brother Eduardo and expressing strong support for Israeli sovereignty over the area. The trip aligns with a broader international push to secure backing for what some describe as annexationist tendencies, highlighting how regional and global alignments are shifting in real time.

In domestic and international politics, debates continue over how to handle security challenges and diplomatic risk. A high‑profile political dispute in Israel centers on a manipulated image shared by the Likud party that suggested cooperation between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Arab party leaders; Bennett’s party has filed a police complaint over the image, arguing it misrepresented the political landscape in a way that could mislead voters. At the same time, Arab parties in Israel—Hadash, Ra’am, Ta’al, and Balad—signed an agreement to work toward reestablishing a Joint List for the upcoming election, reflecting continued maneuvering within Israeli domestic politics amid a persistent crime wave and social tensions in Arab communities.

In Washington, US diplomacy continues to grapple with regional realities. The United States is urging Iraq to limit Iranian influence as Baghdad contemplates a new government and the transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria. Secretary of State and other officials have emphasized that a government controlled by Iran would not advance Iraq’s interests or the bilateral partnership with the United States. The discussion comes as Iraq considers leadership changes and debates the future of security commitments in the region, including American forces that withdrew in 2025.

On security doctrine and transatlastic relations, Germany’s defense minister called on former US President Trump to apologize for remarks suggesting NATO allies in Afghanistan avoided frontline service, saying such comments disrespect the allies who served and sacrificed. European leaders have echoed concerns about the message such statements send to those who stood beside American forces in a long‑running conflict.

In Iran, human rights groups report a grim toll from anti‑regime protests that swept the country late last year. The United States‑based HRANA tallies more than 5,800 deaths, most among protesters, with thousands more detained. Iran’s authorities have put a lower official figure, asserting that hundreds of demonstrators and a larger number of security personnel were killed. Internet restrictions remain in place, complicating verification and monitoring of developments.

In other notes, the CENTCOM chief’s visit to Israel yielded no announced date for any potential attack on Iran; a commander quoted in briefings suggested that “anything can happen” in the dynamic regional calculus. Separately, a Tu Bishvat festival will be streamed from Safed, highlighting the enduring cultural and spiritual ties that anchor Jewish life in the region.

As always, observers note that events here move quickly and often in response to actions on the ground and in capitals around the world. We will continue to monitor the security situation in the West Bank and Gaza, the Lebanon front, and the broader diplomatic landscape, including US and European responses to evolving regional alignments. This morning’s reporting reflects a wide range of developments at a moment when the Middle East remains one of the most consequential theaters of global affairs. We will provide further updates as developments unfold.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

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