HEADLINES
Iran leadership united paper tiger to US
AOC genocide claim triggers Israeli furor
ZIM sale to FIMI sparks veto talks

The time is now 3:01 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, Gav Assulin, a former Mossad official and a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security, says there is no real split within the Iranian leadership. He argues the Iranians speak with many voices as a marketplace of competing signals—threats, missiles and bellicose declarations on one hand, and smiles and diplomacy on the other—a top‑down strategy intended to buy time and avoid direct confrontation. He stresses there is no meaningful difference between so‑called moderates and hardliners, as all are part of the same radical Shiite regime, and he warns they are ultimately a paper tiger incapable of standing up to the United States, certainly not to the United States and Israel together. Regarding Donald Trump, Assulin says the former president favors diplomacy, but if offered a weaker agreement than in 2018 he would resort to force.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading figure in the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, drew sharp criticism after telling the Munich Security Conference that US aid to Israel enables what she described as genocide by Israel. Ocasio-Cortez, who has served in Congress since 2019 and is known for left‑leaning positions and vocal criticism of Israel, is seen as influential among younger Americans but remains controversial in the policy arena. The remarks prompted strong responses from pro‑Israel voices; Tom Gross, a commentator on international affairs, condemned the remarks, saying that the perceived ignorance and insensitivity should disqualify her from any presidential run or other senior role.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a media stir continues after a heated on‑air clash on Channel 14’s Patriots program between journalist Emichi Atali and Itamar Fleishman, with Fleishman later accusing Atali of threats during the live broadcast. The episode prompted comments from co‑hosts Gedion Oko and Atali on their 103FM show about the incident, including questions about Atali’s absence and how viewers are reacting. Separately, a security matter is in play under a gag order in a Krayot magistrate’s court case (68067/2026) involving an investigation by the unit for fighting crime; details are restricted and the publication of identifying information is prohibited until March 1, 2026. In another security incident, an attempt by a Shin Bet officer to break into the car of Minister Gila Gamliel and the subsequent theft of her partner’s vehicle drew a comment from her husband, Adv. Hovav Damri, who said he’s grateful it ended only this way. On the political front, Simcha Rothman has spoken out against what he views as American pressure over the issue of pardons.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel is weighing a potential block of the ZIM deal after a surprise sale. Transportation Minister Miri Regev has ordered an immediate review of the arrangement in which ZIM would sell its Israel‑based shipping lines to Israel’s FIMI Opportunity Funds and its international routes to Germany’s Hapag‑Lloyd. Regev instructed Transportation Ministry Director‑General Moshe Ben‑Zaken to assess implications and whether the state could intervene using its golden share veto power. The move follows concerns over ZIM’s strategic importance and reports of ties involving Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which have drawn scrutiny in Jerusalem. Officials from the Shipping and Ports Authority and the Transportation Ministry were reportedly surprised by the scope and structure of the transaction.

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://t.me/newssil/191457
https://t.me/newssil/191455
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1284960
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1284959
https://t.me/newssil/191456
https://t.me/newssil/191454
https://t.me/newssil/191439
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/02/15/israel-weighs-blocking-zim-deal-after-surprise-sale/