HEADLINES
Rubio warns Iran transition could be disaster
West Bank land registration reopened since 1967
Holocaust survivor attacked on Ben Gurion Street

The time is now 8:02 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, Senator Marco Rubio testified before the Senate that there is no simple answer to what happens in Iran if the supreme leader and the regime fall, warning that any transition brokered from within would be a disaster for Iranians and for Israel. With negotiations ongoing, any agreement could give new life to so-called reformers. The Islamic Republic has killed tens of thousands of its own citizens; in the current uprising alone, more than 36,500 people have died, making it the deadliest mass repression of the 21st century. Internet access has been systematically restricted, leaving only a fraction of Iranians able to bypass censorship. Reports from London describe messages from followers inside Iran about arrests and killings and concerns shared with opposition channels.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the government on Sunday approved the proposal to reopen land registration in the West Bank for the first time since 1967, announced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Defense Minister Israel Katz in a joint statement. The plan would have the Justice Ministry's Authority for Registration and Settlement of Land Rights oversee settlements and receive a dedicated budget, enabling a transparent and in-depth clarification of rights to end legal disputes and facilitate infrastructure and market land development. The statement says the decision is an appropriate response to illegal settlement procedures that the Palestinian Authority is promoting in Area C, in violation of the law and agreements, and describes the renewal of land settlement in Judea and Samaria as an essential security and governance measure to ensure control, enforcement, and full freedom of action for the state.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor from Ramat Gan was attacked in broad daylight on Ben-Gurion Street on Saturday morning. The woman, identified as Bella, said a 36-year-old resident charged toward her shouting insults and punched her, sending her to hospital with serious facial injuries. She was evacuated by Magen David Adom to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, where she received treatment for facial and eye injuries and remained under observation for several hours. She told Walla that the attacker could have murdered her and recalled trauma from the Holocaust, noting that this was a serious assault that left her shaken.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court of Justice ordered Justice Minister Yariv Levin to explain why he has not convened the Judicial Selection Committee to begin judicial appointments. The court issued a conditional order requiring Levin to state under oath why he has not used his authority to bring the committee together to vote on judicial nominations to fill missing judge posts in all jurisdictions of the judicial branch. Levin must file a sworn affidavit by March 8, with the Attorney-General and petitioners having until March 15 to file principal arguments; a hearing on the conditional order is expected in late March. Petitioners say the judicial system has been paralyzed for more than a year and a half, leaving dozens of judge positions unfilled. Separately, a Hebrew-language item notes a tweet by Naftali Bennett in response to events in Bnei Brak.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Forbes India reports that India has approved an $8.6 billion defense deal with Israel for advanced missile and precision-strike systems, making Israel its second-largest arms supplier after France in 2026. The article repeats the figure, underscoring the significance of the agreement for defense ties between the two countries.

In Uplifting News, a machzor handwritten in 1272 in Wurzburg, Germany, has survived the Holocaust and is now displayed in the National Library in Jerusalem. The volume was copied by the scribe Simhah ben Yehuda over roughly a year and traveled with Jewish communities that settled synagogues, schools, and mikvehs in the 11th century. The machzor’s journey to Israel stands as a testament to the resilience of religious objects cherished by communities. In Tel Aviv, Tsuki Garbian presents A Very Still Life, a solo exhibition at Rothschild Fine Art that traces the discipline of painting and a negotiation between the weight of Old Masters and the urgency of the present. Garbian emphasizes daily studio work and the pursuit of knowledge after studying at Hamidrasha and in master classes with artists David Nipo and Aram Gershuni.

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/opinion/article-886493
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-886690
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-886688
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-886691
https://t.me/newssil/191500
https://t.me/JewishNews24/49554
https://www.jpost.com/history/article-886473
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-886477