Latest / Israel Today: Ongoing War Report / Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - September 19, 2026, 12 PM Eastern

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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - September 19, 2026, 12 PM Eastern · Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

• 0:08
  Speaker 1: You're listening to Israel Today ongoing war report. I'm Noah Levi.
• 0:12
  Speaker 1: We begin today with a look at the complex regional landscape.
• 0:15
  Speaker 1: US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has stated that Iran
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  Speaker 1: is currently at its weakest point in 47 and a
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  Speaker 1: half years, a situation he attributes to concerted actions by
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  Speaker 1: the United States and Israel. However, he cautioned that Tehran
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  Speaker 1: continues to pose significant threats, including towards nuclear capabilities and
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  Speaker 1: regional shipping lanes, emphasising that the ultimate target of Iran's
• 0:38
  Speaker 1: ambitions has always been the United States. While Huckabee expressed
• 0:42
  Speaker 1: hope for eventual regime change in Iran, he also discussed
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  Speaker 1: the evolving situation in Lebanon. He anticipates the Lebanese armed
• 0:50
  Speaker 1: forces will incrementally assume security responsibilities in the south following
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  Speaker 1: the planned withdrawal of UNIFIL. This comes as the UN
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  Speaker 1: Security Council has mandated UNIFIL's withdrawal, by the end of 2026,
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  Speaker 1: raising concerns about the continuity of humanitarian aid deliveries and
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  Speaker 1: the crucial transfer of positions to Lebanese troops. Major General
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  Speaker 1: Diodato Abagnara of UNIFIL himself emphasised the critical need for
• 1:16
  Speaker 1: a smooth and coordinated transition. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, although significantly weakened
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: by Israeli actions, is reportedly actively rebuilding its capabilities. This
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  Speaker 1: broader regional instability, coupled with ongoing threats from groups like
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  Speaker 1: the Houthis, continues to impact maritime security in vital waterways.
• 1:36
  Speaker 1: Turning to Gaza, prominent photographer Motaz Azeiza, who gained significant
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  Speaker 1: global recognition during the recent conflict, has offered rare public
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  Speaker 1: criticism of Hamas's leadership. Azeiza revealed that he filmed Israeli
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  Speaker 1: hostages being mistreated by a Gazan mob on October 7,
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  Speaker 1: but ultimately chose not to publish the footage. He explained
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  Speaker 1: this decision was driven by a fear that the material
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  Speaker 1: would be used by Israel to identify, and potentially eliminate
• 2:02
  Speaker 1: those involved. In his remarks, Azaza directly accused Hamas of
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  Speaker 1: bringing disaster upon the Gaza Strip and critically questioned the
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  Speaker 1: efficacy and ultimate cost of their armed resistance. He suggested
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  Speaker 1: that Hamas could have agreed to a ceasefire deal much earlier,
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  Speaker 1: implying that tens of thousands of lives could have been saved.
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  Speaker 1: Azaza is now living in Qatar. From the United States,
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  Speaker 1: veteran Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman has issued a strong warning
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  Speaker 1: regarding Israel's international standing and its relationship with Washington. Sherman
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  Speaker 1: stated that the inclusion of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Givia
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  Speaker 1: in the Israeli cabinet poses an existential threat to the
• 2:42
  Speaker 1: nation's ties with the US. He highlighted a dramatic shift
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  Speaker 1: in American public opinion, noting a significant drop in Israel's
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  Speaker 1: favourability ratings. Polling data now indicates that a majority of
• 2:53
  Speaker 1: Americans believe US military aid to Israel should be reduced
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  Speaker 1: or even ended. Sherman stressed that Israel risks losing not
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  Speaker 1: only financial assistance, but also crucial access to American weapons
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  Speaker 1: and diplomatic support. He urged Israel to take more proactive
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  Speaker 1: steps to improve its global image, including adequately funding its
• 3:13
  Speaker 1: foreign ministry. In economic news, Turkey is reportedly investigating an
• 3:18
  Speaker 1: international fraud network valued at $ 3 billion. This investigation has,
• 3:23
  Speaker 1: thus far, led to the arrest of nine Israelis. And finally,
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  Speaker 1: In developments towards regional normalisation, members of the Abrahamic movement
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  Speaker 1: are actively pursuing peace and improved relations with Israel. This movement,
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  Speaker 1: which gained significant momentum following the October 7th attacks, brings
• 3:41
  Speaker 1: together individuals from across the Muslim world, aiming to build
• 3:44
  Speaker 1: bridges based on shared Abrahamic heritage. These efforts, however, carry
• 3:49
  Speaker 1: substantial personal risks for participants, including the potential for imprisonment
• 3:54
  Speaker 1: or even execution in some countries where contact with Israelis
• 3:57
  Speaker 1: remains criminalised. For continuing coverage of antisemitism around the world,
• 4:02
  Speaker 1: listen to Antisemitism, Watch from Clockwork Media. Find it at clockworkmedia.org
• 4:07
  Speaker 1: slash watch. I'm Noah Levi, thank you for listening to
• 4:10
  Speaker 1: Israel Today ongoing war report. Stay safe and informed. Follow
• 4:15
  Speaker 1: Israel Today, ongoing war report in your podcast app so
• 4:18
  Speaker 1: you don't miss the next update. Keep in mind that
• 4:21
  Speaker 1: this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple
• 4:26
  Speaker 1: sources for a comprehensive view.