HEADLINES
Iran Russia €500m arms deal for Verba
Ford carrier to dock Haifa amid tensions
West Bank Tapuach Junction truck attack

The time is now 1:02 PM 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, Iran has agreed to a 500 million euro arms deal with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles, including 500 Verba launch units and 2,500 9M336 missiles over three years, with deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2029. Tehran formally requested the systems last July, following the Israel-Iran war, and the deal was signed in Moscow in December. The Verba is among Russia’s most modern air-defense systems, a MANPADS platform designed to target cruise missiles, low-flying aircraft, and drones. In a separate report, Iraqi media aligned with the Iranian regime said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is conducting a ballistic missile exercise in Khorramshahr, near the Iraqi border.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a Palestinian driver crashed a truck into a police vehicle at Tapuach Junction in the West Bank on Monday afternoon. The driver attempted to flee but was pursued by backup police forces and arrested along with a passenger. An Israeli police officer was injured, and Magen David Adom paramedics treated a man in his forties for light injuries as investigators examine the circumstances of the incident.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is expected to dock in Haifa as part of ongoing American reinforcements in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. The Ford’s presence comes as US tankers and cargo and refueling aircraft arrive at Israeli airports and docks, with the carrier strike group having entered the Mediterranean after transiting the Strait of Gibraltar. The US Navy has not formally confirmed the timing of the dock. Haifa previously sustained damage during the Israel-Iran war, including to the port and an oil refinery, and the United States has spent weeks expanding its Middle East arsenal.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, NYC has seen a sustained rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7, including harassment and threats to Jewish institutions, with an opinion piece arguing that the surge reflects broader political dynamics and that responsibility for the climate lies beyond any single figure. In Paris, a kosher restaurant in central city was sprayed with acid, rendering tables, walls, and crockery unusable; investigators opened a case into damage with a potential hate-motivated motive, and the prosecutor’s office noted that the incident adds to previous acid attacks at the same venue. An opinion piece on Deni Avdija’s All-Star moment argues that Israeli visibility in Western culture remains highly charged, transforming a sporting event into a broader discussion about national identity and representation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would respond with unimaginable force if Iran attacks, issuing the warning during a 40-signature debate in the Knesset and highlighting a strengthened alliance with the United States. In parallel, opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that opposition parties would boycott Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming Knesset speech if Supreme Court President Isaac Amit is not invited, describing moves to fill seats with former MKs as a potential obstacle to attendance. Separately, the Prime Minister is convening a limited security discussion with Defense Minister Katz and the Chief of Staff.

In Israeli Economy and Business, January 2026 figures show the number of job seekers declining 2.3 percent to 158.1 thousand, with the labor market remaining tight and roughly nine vacancies for every ten job seekers. The share of non-Haredi Jews seeking work rose to about 66 percent, up from 60.9 percent in January 2023. Both unemployment claimants and those receiving income support fell compared with previous months, and Employment Service officials noted shifts in the composition of laid-off workers, with academics and managers representing notable shares of departures. The overall picture remains one of a tight labor market with a 1:1 vacancies-to-job-seekers ratio.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-887613
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-887662
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-887436
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-887660
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-887657
https://t.me/hnaftali/21386
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/all-news/article-887509