HEADLINES
West Bank calm Temple Mount gates contingency
Bennett condemns threats against journalist Aharish
Modi visit to forge special strategic ties

The time is now 9:01 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), West Bank remains calm during Ramadan for now as security forces carried out five major arrest raids in the past week, monitored released terrorist prisoners, and prepared contingency plans that could shut the Temple Mount gates if war breaks out with Iran.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former prime minister Naftali Bennett decried threats against Arab Israeli journalist Lucy Aharish, saying that sending paid thugs to her private home to terrorize her and her family is a dangerous crossing of a red line, especially when carried out with the encouragement or blind eye of government ministers. He argued that Israel will cease to be a democratic state if journalists fear criticizing the government, emphasizing that freedom and checks on power are the foundation of Jewish heritage. Police detained right-wing activists Rami Ben Yehuda and Mordechai David after they entered Aharish’s apartment building to harass her.

In Israeli Economy and Business, an El Al flight from Ben-Gurion to Newark turned around mid-flight after Newark's airport was closed by a severe snowstorm, with the aircraft returning to Israel and due to land at approximately 9:35 p.m. on Monday, as agencies work to reschedule once landing permission is granted at Newark or a nearby airport. Separately, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Israel, officials say the trip will elevate bilateral ties to a 'special strategic relation' through cooperation such as a joint cyber center and enhanced air defense collaboration.

In Uplifting News, Israel's 2026 Eurovision song title is 'Michelle' and will be revealed in full for the first time in a festive broadcast on KAN 11 on March 5; Noam Bettan will perform the entry, which features lyrics in Hebrew, French, and English. The lyrics were written by Nadav Aharoni, Tzlil Kalifi, and Yuval Rafael, with music by Aharoni and Kalifi and Aharoni also producing. The entry was approved by the European Broadcasting Union after changes to the selection process opened submissions to ACUM members and allowed anonymous entries; about 200 songs were submitted. Eurovision 2026 will take place in Vienna in May, and Bettan is scheduled to perform in the first semi-final.

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.ynetnews.com/article/bkpctdqube
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887684
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887682
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1ddou5u11e
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-887690