Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-21 at 17:02 cover art

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-21 at 17:02

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-21 at 17:02

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 HEADLINESYemen Houthis mobilize troops on multiple frontsGaza relief plan hinges on Hamas disarmamentIran token enrichment plan US weighs strikesThe time is now 5:02 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, the Houthis in Yemen are reportedly mobilizing troops on multiple fronts, a move described by UAE-based Al-Ain media as potentially aimed at “igniting a new round of war.” The report says reinforcements have been sent to Marib, the Hodeidah front along the Red Sea, and to northern border fronts, with unclear objectives. The significance lies in timing, as tensions with Iran rise and Saudi-UAE policy differences in Yemen continue to surface. Observers say the mobilization could target Riyadh-backed government forces, or reflect attempts to exploit regional rifts amid broader US-Iran tensions. The piece also notes the possibility that Al-Ain’s report could be influenced by misinformation designed to inflame tensions.In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the Board of Peace faces an uphill battle to advance its Gaza relief and reconstruction agenda. At its Washington inaugural meeting, former US ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro and Israeli journalist Barak Ravid weighed in on the effort. Trump said allies have contributed more than seven billion dollars to Gaza relief, with the US expected to provide about ten billion, and five countries—Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan—pledging thousands of personnel to an International Stabilization Force meant to gradually replace IDF troops in Gaza. Shapiro criticized the event as a grandiose display with limited Palestinian input and a plan contingent on Hamas disarmament, while Ravid warned that without Hamas disarmament and genuine Palestinian participation, the initiative could struggle to gain traction.In US Policy Concerning Israel, three developments are in focus. First, the Trump administration is weighing an Iranian proposal that would permit a narrow, “token” enrichment with strict safeguards to prevent weaponization, leaving minimal enrichment capacity on Iranian soil but under tight verification to ensure civilian purposes. Washington would study a written offer, though public messaging continues to insist zero enrichment remains the standard. If Tehran does not move closer to US demands, officials say limited strikes could be considered to demonstrate seriousness. Second, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry condemned remarks by the US Ambassador to Israel suggesting Israel could seize territory between the Nile and the Euphrates, calling the comments a violation of international law and diplomatic norms; Riyadh reiterated support for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state, a stance echoed by Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas. Third, Iran has floated flexibility through Oman, proposing that it would allow limited flexibility in its nuclear program if it may retain enrichment facilities and centrifuges on Iranian soil; enrichment would be civilian and activated only after an interim period under IAEA supervision. Western officials say the offer remains far from US demands, and some conclude the United States may pursue limited strikes to illustrate the threat, while others believe an attack might be avoided.In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, two items address harmful narratives. First, Tucker Carlson’s claim that President Isaac Herzog visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island is described as a clear fabrication; the journalist who circulated the claim acknowledged it was unverified and that AI-generated disinformation played a role, underscoring a broader pattern of misinformation directed at Israel and a modern ideological conflict in media. Second, Italy’s state broadcaster RAI apologized after an off-air remark advising producers to avoid the Israeli bobsleigh crew during the Winter Olympics; the incident drew condemnation from Israel’s ambassador, who urged accountability, and comes after the network’s leadership had already faced criticism for earlier missteps.In Israeli Domestic Politics, two items stand out. In Tel Aviv, police moved to quell a street protest in the southern district; two protesters were detained on suspicion of trespass and disorder after allegedly entering a residence with loudspeakers, including right-wing activist Mordechai David, with footage showing actor Tzachi Levi confronting him as police separated the pair. Separately, the Security Cabinet is slated to convene tomorrow at 19:00 in the Prime Minister’s Office.In Uplifting News, culture and sport are highlighted as a moment of national pride. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar praised Gordon, celebrating another notable victory for an Israeli fighter and lifting spirits with a hopeful note for the country.Thank you ...
No reviews yet