Latest / Israel Today: Ongoing War Report / Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - September 16, 2026, 02 PM Eastern

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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - September 16, 2026, 02 PM Eastern · Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

• 0:08
  Speaker 1: You're listening to Israel Today ongoing war report, I'm Noah Levi.
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  Speaker 1: We begin tonight with crucial updates on the conflict with
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  Speaker 1: Iran and its regional proxies. Russian spy satellites may have
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  Speaker 1: provided crucial intelligence for Iranian drone and missile attacks on
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  Speaker 1: US bases during Operation Epic Fury, according to a CNN
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  Speaker 1: report citing US officials. The satellites reportedly offered detailed imagery
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  Speaker 1: and signal detection, playing a vital role in the attack
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  Speaker 1: on Prince Sultan Air Base, which injured 12 US soldiers.
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  Speaker 1: One expert called it Russian payback with interest for US
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  Speaker 1: aid to Ukraine. In parallel, Iran's covert operations are highlighted
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  Speaker 1: by the conviction of four Jerusalem residents involved in an
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  Speaker 1: alleged plot to assassinate an Israeli nuclear scientist. Simultaneously, Alexander
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  Speaker 1: Granovsky was sentenced to over 13 years in prison for
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  Speaker 1: carrying outpaid espionage assignments for an Iranian agent. including arson
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  Speaker 1: and photographing sensitive locations. On the northern front, the battle
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  Speaker 1: for Ali Taha Ridge in southern Lebanon has been characterised
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  Speaker 1: by the EGO's Special Forces Commander as the most complex
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  Speaker 1: recent engagement. He cited difficult terrain, extensive booby traps and
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  Speaker 1: unprecedented drone attacks, noting Iran's significant technological and tactical contributions
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  Speaker 1: to the enemy complex. IDF footage confirms the destruction of
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  Speaker 1: this underground facility. built with Iranian funding and expertise. The
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  Speaker 1: broader regional picture is shaped by Houthi advances in the
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  Speaker 1: Red Sea, with territorial gains overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
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  Speaker 1: These actions, along with drone and missile strikes, are increasing
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  Speaker 1: pressure on Saudi Arabia, potentially leading to a two-front conflict
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  Speaker 1: and driving the kingdom to accelerate security cooperation with Israel.
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  Speaker 1: This Houthi activity has also rendered Israel's Eilat port unprofitable
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  Speaker 1: due to Red Sea shipping disruptions, with traffic diverted to
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  Speaker 1: other ports. The IDF also conducted strikes in southern Lebanon,
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  Speaker 1: with Lebanese reports alleging hits in al-Manswari and Nabatea. In Gaza,
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  Speaker 1: the IDF has eliminated Jihad Sami Mahmoud Ismail, identified as
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  Speaker 1: a Hamas Nakba squad commander who participated in the October
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  Speaker 1: 7 infiltration and the abduction of soldiers. He was later
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  Speaker 1: involved in ambushes against IDF troops. Meanwhile, A new poll
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  Speaker 1: in the West Bank indicates that 46% of Palestinians do
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  Speaker 1: not believe Israel has a right to exist, compared to
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  Speaker 1: 41% who do. The survey also revealed significant concerns among
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  Speaker 1: Palestinians regarding IDF operations and their sense of personal security,
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  Speaker 1: alongside high levels of worry about unemployment and settler violence.
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  Speaker 1: Turning to domestic affairs, President Isaac Herzog has called for
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  Speaker 1: calm ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections, stating they are
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  Speaker 1: not a civil war, despite societal divisions and harsh rhetoric.
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  Speaker 1: He emphasised the importance of democratic foundations and confirmed with
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  Speaker 1: certainty that Israeli military operations undergo close legal oversight, with
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  Speaker 1: actions sometimes delayed or cancelled to prevent harm to civilians.
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  Speaker 1: President Herzog also disclosed his proposal for mediation to reach
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  Speaker 1: a plea deal in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing trial.
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  Speaker 1: In response to perceived criticism, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced
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  Speaker 1: his intention to propose laws that would revoke the citizenship
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  Speaker 1: of individuals found to be smearing, the IDF, and would
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  Speaker 1: significantly increase penalties for those slandering the military. Separately, Gadi
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  Speaker 1: Isenkot has denied reports claiming he promised to include the
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  Speaker 1: Ram Party in a future coalition government. Meanwhile, a recent
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  Speaker 1: poll indicates that for the first time in the 2026 elections,
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  Speaker 1: Prime Minister Netanyahu's bloc is polling larger than his opponent's.
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  Speaker 1: the High Court also upheld the Attorney General's decision to
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  Speaker 1: deny state funding for a memorial for Rabbi Ovedia Yosef.
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  Speaker 1: And in news offering a moment of relief, Israeli-Canadian Benjamin
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  Speaker 1: Hassan has been released from an Iraqi prison after 11 years.
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  Speaker 1: Sentenced to death following a confrontation in which he claimed self-defence,
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  Speaker 1: his release was the result of a coordinated international effort,
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  Speaker 1: including a reconciliation agreement and compensation. Mr Hassan is now
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  Speaker 1: en route to Israel. For continuing coverage of antisemitism around
• 4:24
  Speaker 1: the world, listen to Antisemitism Watch from Clockwork Media. Find
• 4:28
  Speaker 1: it at clockworkmedia.org slash watch. I'm Noah Levi, thank you
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  Speaker 1: for listening to Israel Today Ongoing War Report. Stay safe
• 4:35
  Speaker 1: and informed. Follow Israel Today Ongoing War Report in your
• 4:39
  Speaker 1: podcast app so you don't miss the next update. Keep
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  Speaker 1: in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies,
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  Speaker 1: so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Thank you.