Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-16 at 05:02

HEADLINES
Iran eyes fair deal in Geneva talks
IDF kills Hezbollah operative in Lebanon
US awards Boeing MOP replenishment contract

The time is now 5:01 AM 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, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he will meet the UN nuclear watchdog chief on Monday in Geneva, ahead of US-Iran talks aimed at resolving their dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program and averting conflict as US warships deploy to the Middle East. Araghchi said he is in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal and that submission before threats is not on the table. The talks come after indirect discussions in Oman earlier this month. Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi signaled Iran’s willingness to compromise on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, telling the BBC that the ball is in America’s court to prove they want to do a deal. Washington has dispatched a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East and is preparing for a possible sustained military campaign if talks do not succeed, while Tehran has pressed that discussions should focus on curbs to its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and has rejected broader talks on missiles.

In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said it struck and killed a terrorist involved in efforts to rebuild Hezbollah infrastructure in the Hanin area of southern Lebanon, saying the operative’s activity violated the ceasefire framework and posed a threat to Israel’s northern communities. The army noted that over the past week troops eliminated three additional terrorists linked to attempts to restore Hezbollah infrastructure and dismantled several structures and engineering vehicles used to advance attacks in the area. This is part of ongoing tensions tied to Iran’s regional proxies and the broader security environment.

In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the US Air Force has awarded Boeing a sole-source contract to replenish its arsenal of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-buster bombs. The move comes after the United States used more than a dozen MOPs on Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer. The defense department justification notes Boeing is uniquely positioned with 18 years of expertise in adapting the weapon to evolving mission needs, and that awarding a competitive tender would risk unacceptable delays in replenishing the inventory.

In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, an Israeli resident was indicted on charges of gathering intelligence on a senior Israeli official, allegedly at the direction of an Iranian intelligence operative. Investigators found the individual had been in contact with a foreign agent and received payments for assignments aimed at harming state security. The senior official targeted has not been publicly identified, though Israeli media identified him as former defense minister Yoav Gallant. This case is described by security authorities as part of Tehran’s ongoing intelligence activity inside Israel.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), former US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene posted that she met Bethlehem’s mayor and praised Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus, while also condemning alleged Christian persecution in the area. The Bethlehem mayor, Maher Nicola Canawati, described Christians being killed in Gaza bombings and churches being attacked, adding that residents want peace with Jewish and Muslim neighbors but that settlers continue to take homes. Greene was given a commemorative medal and a Church of the Nativity relic during the visit.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), the government’s secretary Yael Oz or a similarly named official, as reported in Hebrew coverage, stated that Hamas must be disarmed within 60 days or Israel will return to a harsh military posture in Gaza, warning that if the goal isn’t met, Israeli forces will ensure it happens. The remarks touched on broader security and political issues, including disputes over conscription and unrest in nearby areas.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Israeli police said seven people were arrested and eight others deported after stopping a vehicle carrying 15 Palestinian residents suspected of entering Israel illegally to work in Bnei Brak. The operation, carried out by officers from the Shalem Police Station under the Shield of the Capital initiative, aimed to enforce laws against illegal entry and stay, maintain security in the capital, and prevent terrorist infiltration. Police noted the group included individuals with criminal records and that the remainder were sent back to the West Bank for processing.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), a suspicious envelope arrived at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and was examined on site by Israel Police forensic personnel who ruled out an explosive threat. The envelope was subsequently sent to a biological laboratory in Ness Ziona for further testing, with authorities saying the package was handled per protocol and did not threaten workers. An unnamed source indicated the envelope possibly contained ampoules of an unknown substance, though officials stressed there is no danger.

In the Israeli Economy and Business sector, the annual inflation rate in Israel fell sharply from 2.6% to 1.8%, a drop described as excellent and now hovering beneath the Bank of Israel’s target range of 1% to 3%. The decline is driven by the 12-month price comparison, with January’s low base and a subdued monthly index, and it has raised the likelihood of another interest-rate cut at the Bank of Israel’s next decision on February 23. Analysts from the stock market research unit say that as inflation cools, the current rate policy could become overly restrictive for the economy, with the policy tilt balancing lower inflation against the broader geopolitical and budgetary considerations facing the country.

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
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https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-886776
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