HEADLINES
Loaded Carlo SMG found in East Jerusalem
MSF warns armed groups inside Gaza hospital
Disarmament possible by 2026 amid Washington talks

The time is now 12:01 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), security forces arrested a 36-year-old man from Sur Bahir on Saturday after he was caught smuggling a weapon into East Jerusalem, with detectives, Border Police and patrol officers locating a vehicle containing a loaded Carlo submachine gun. Authorities said they had prior intelligence indicating an attempt to smuggle weapons into East Jerusalem from the West Bank just days before the start of Ramadan. IDF observation troops and the Aerial Control Center also intercepted a drone on Friday that was carrying three M-16 rifles into Israel; the weapons were handed over to security forces for processing. MSF said armed individuals have been seen inside a Gaza hospital, detailing movement of weapons and incidents of intimidation and arrests by armed groups, and it suspended noncritical operations at Nasser Hospital in January. The organization noted this marks the first public acknowledgment by a major international medical NGO of armed activity within a Gaza hospital and urged all armed groups and Israeli forces to respect medical facilities. A KAN News report, citing two sources on the Gaza Board of Peace, said disarmament could begin as early as March 2026 once a technocratic government replaces Hamas in Gaza, with preparations underway for a late-February meeting in Washington where Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar would attend. The report also said Israel has begun constructing IDF bases in Gaza-controlled areas and has armed anti-Hamas militias such as Abu Shabab, which Ghassan Duhine says operates within Hamas tunnels in Rafah. Ex-hostage Arbel Yehoud and Ariel Cunio described to N12 their time in captivity after October 7, recounting how they were kidnapped from Nir Oz, forced apart, and exchanged letters while held by Islamic Jihad terrorists, detailing the trauma and their ongoing efforts to heal together.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Defense Forces spokesperson said a military drill will be conducted today in the morning and early afternoon in the Modiin-Maccabim-Reut area, with a noticeable movement of security forces and vehicles in the region; officials stressed there is no security event linked to the exercise. The drill is planned as part of the annual 2026 training program.

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/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-886648
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-886635
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-886647
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-886646
https://t.me/Newss0nline/58619
https://t.me/newssil/191413