HEADLINES
Greece Albania eye Gaza stabilization force
UK court rules Palestine Action ban unlawful
Israel Avdija makes NBA All-Star debut

The time is now 6:01 PM 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), ahead of an expected announcement on the establishment of the ISF stabilization force, contacts are under way with several countries regarding their principled participation, including Greece and Albania. Israel would welcome the presence of troops from both countries as a counterweight to Turkey and its soldiers. Greece maintains deep ties with Israel and has strengthened military cooperation within the Eastern Mediterranean alliance framework. Albania, a Muslim-majority country, is seeking to expand economic and tourism ties with Israel. Both nations are wary of Turkish expansionism in the Eastern Mediterranean and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aggressive policies. A diplomatic source said the two were friendly countries preferable to others mentioned, foremost Turkey. They stressed that this did not constitute permission or an opening for Turkish troops to join the force slated for deployment in Gaza, and that Israel's opposition to such a move remained unchanged. At the same time, they acknowledged that the practical establishment of the force was still under discussion.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a UK High Court ruling against proscribing Palestine Action leaves Britain’s Jewish community exposed to concerns about who protects minorities when intimidation falls short of terrorism. The High Court ruled that the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action was "disproportionate" and unlawful and proposed that the order be overturned. Specifically, it found that the ban breaches Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, which protects freedom of expression. The judges decided that, while the anti-Israel protest group engaged in "criminality," not enough of its actions amounted to terrorism. The Court did not deny that criminal offences had occurred; it ruled that the threshold for terrorism, and therefore proscription, was not met. For now, the group remains banned to give the government time to consider an appeal. Palestine Action brought a legal challenge against its proscription after it was banned in July last year. The group maintains that its actions were not terrorism, and that it merely carried out "property damage against the weapons trade and against weapons that would have been used to massacre people in Palestine."

In Israeli Domestic Politics, lawyers representing the detainees in the Bnei Brak protest said that 27 protesters were arrested, about 20 were released, and seven remained in detention, including four minors who are slated for a hearing on an extension. They described the arrests as "show arrests" and said many of the detainees are bystanders who did not participate in the events.

In Uplifting News, all eyes turn to tonight as Dani Avdija takes the floor in his first NBA All-Star Game. The Israeli star is set to play in the league’s showcase event, a milestone underscored by the appearance of Israel’s flag on the global stage. The All-Star activities are proceeding tonight, and Avdija’s presence marks a personal achievement as the event unfolds.

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.israelhayom.com/2026/02/16/hamas-standoff-threatens-gaza-stabilization-idf-poised-to-act/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-886752
https://t.me/newssil/191560
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1285295
https://t.me/Newss0nline/58630