Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-14 at 17:01

HEADLINES
Lebanon ceasefire fuels Hezbollah regroup delaying Iran
Former hostage recounts Gaza captivity horrors
US Israel pressure on Iran oil sales

The time is now 5:01 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, Israel’s November 2024 ceasefire in Lebanon came as Hezbollah faced setbacks, and some assessments describe that pause as a missed chance to decisively defeat the group, a move critics say allowed Hezbollah to regroup and, some argue, to delay actions against Iran’s nuclear program. Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi says sustained external pressure on Iran, combined with internal unrest, could bring an end to clerical rule. Iran published a NOTAM closing civil aviation in the southeast due to a possible missile test by the Revolutionary Guards.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), former female Israeli hostage Arbel Yehoud has spoken about captivity in Gaza, describing sexual abuse by Gazan terrorists nearly every day for 482 days, rib injuries, starvation, and suicide attempts; she was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists and affiliated families, with donations for rehabilitation flowing in afterward. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said talks with Israel focus on a buffer zone and withdrawal from recently occupied border areas, not the Golan Heights, though negotiations have moved toward an intelligence-sharing mechanism as a security accord develops under international pressure.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, reports say that US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a “full force” maximum pressure campaign against Iran, including efforts to curb Iranian oil sales to China, with roughly 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports historically going to China. The reports note that a tariff possibility exists and that Geneva will host the latest round of US-Iran talks, with Oman set to mediate another meeting next week.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Herzog’s camp questions Netanyahu’s role in Trump’s remark that the prime minister should be pardoned, and that Herzog should be ashamed for not granting one. Herzog’s office says the pardon decision remains in the hands of the Justice Ministry and the judiciary, to be reviewed under standard legal procedures, while reaffirming the presidency’s commitment to the rule of law and Israel’s sovereignty.

In Uplifting News, experts say the idea of aphrodisiac foods is a myth, with science lacking proof that certain foods reliably boost desire; atmosphere and context are considered more influential for romance, according to a medical platform affiliated with a national federation of physicians. Meanwhile, in Hadera, Rabbi Shmuel Yerish has turned his aliyah story into Reb Shmueltoys, a line of Jewish-themed toys for children. Produced in China and some items now made in Israel, the toys include dolls and playsets that connect to Jewish stories, with distribution through communities and kindergartens, reflecting Yerish’s background as a teacher and father.

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.israelhayom.com/2026/02/14/why-didnt-israel-finish-the-job-in-lebanon/
https://t.me/newssil/191405
https://worldisraelnews.com/exiled-crown-prince-says-us-military-action-against-iran-could-save-lives/
https://t.me/selena_updates/55280
https://t.me/selena_updates/55289
https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-fm-security-talks-with-israel-are-focused-on-buffer-zone-not-golan-heights/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-and-trump-reportedly-agree-to-full-force-economic-pressure-campaign-against-iran/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-886639
https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-886592
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-886516