HEADLINES
Istanbul Talks Target Nuclear Deal Path
Iran Threatens US If Strikes Escalate
Satellite Images Show Iran Rebuilding Nuclear Program

The time is now 11:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, US and Iranian officials are framing talks in Istanbul as a possible path to a nuclear deal, with Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expected to meet on Friday. Sources described this gathering as the best-case scenario, while stressing that nothing is final until it happens. The discussions follow reports that senior officials from both sides may participate in the coming days, per Tasnim News Agency, which pointed to ongoing discussions without a fixed time or location. At the same time, Iran’s top military commander warned that no American would be safe if strikes were carried out against Iran, signaling the potential for heightened-risk rhetoric amid the diplomacy. In Washington, the Pentagon has repositioned assets in the Gulf, adding air defense systems and naval deployments in a show of readiness without an escalation pledge. Within US domestic politics, Republican voices have pressed for a stronger stance, with figures calling for action against Iran. Separately, satellite imagery tracks Iranian efforts to conceal the current status of its nuclear program, showing rebuilding work at Natanz, Isfahan, and Parchin-Taleghan 2 as concerns about possible US action mount. Analysts and officials continue to weigh how such activity could influence any potential nuclear agreement.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), why dismissing Palestinian reform voices is a strategic mistake is presented as a sober assessment of Gaza’s future prospects. The opinion argues that labeling Gaza’s future as doomed because its people are morally irredeemable creates a permanent state of conflict. After October 7, the piece contends, skepticism about postwar Gaza plans is reasonable but must be grounded in reality rather than blanket moral condemnation. The author acknowledges that Gaza hosts professionals across fields—doctors, engineers, economists, educators, and administrators—but stresses that freedom under Hamas rule, rather than a lack of leadership, was the limiting factor. The piece warns that assuming there are no credible Palestinian partners is a dangerous stance that can perpetuate war, and it urges careful consideration of reform voices and credible Palestinian leadership to open pathways for change rather than closed cycles of violence.

In Uplifting News, 20,000 partners, 100 farms, 18 shekels, a single revolution. Today we celebrate Tu BiShvat with a heartfelt tribute to the pioneers of the agricultural settlements, as ministers, senior security figures, and leaders of settlement communities gathered to support and tell the story of the movement driving farm life forward. In this event, participants are invited to join a donor drive to sustain the farming initiative, with a symbolic monthly contribution of 18 shekels helping to protect hundreds of thousands of dunams of homeland lands. The message emphasizes that this is more than a moment of commemoration; it is a commitment to continuing the work on the land by those who keep the agricultural heritage alive.

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.

SOURCES
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-885324
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-885350
https://t.me/newssil/189862
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1280200
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1280199
https://worldisraelnews.com/this-is-when-america-will-begin-its-attack-on-iran-analysis/
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-885219
https://t.me/abualiexpress/114008