Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-16 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Iran teeters on collapse US must act
130 lawyers defend IDF in war probes
Lapid warns unity crucial to defeat Netanyahu

The time is now 2:01 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, Senator Lindsey Graham told The Jerusalem Post that the Iranian regime is teetering on the edge of collapse and that the United States must follow through on its promises to aid the Iranian people or risk facing a catastrophe worse than Afghanistan, with risks to the Abraham Accords if the regime survives. He spoke after meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid, and other senior officials, and after participating in a rally of about 250,000 anti-Iranian regime protesters. He described a historic window of opportunity that could reshape the Middle East for a long time. "Without the October 7 massacre happening, I don't believe Iran would be on the verge of regime collapse," Graham said. "The determination of the Israeli people to make sure 'Never Again' has meaning has weakened Iran and their proxies, unlike any time since the founding of the religious Nazi state in 1979," he said, linking the regime's vulnerability to Israel's military response following the massacre.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), up to 130 international lawyers protected IDF from war crimes charges as it fought in Gaza, the exclusive reporting shows. The Israeli Defense Forces received ongoing operational legal advice throughout the war, with as many as three dozen full-time Israeli Law Department lawyers and about 100 reservist advisers embedded with frontline units, some near the high command and others at regional headquarters or in division posts. This surge in legal staff occurred as as many as 50,000 IDF infantry and tanks were operating across Gaza on multiple fronts, a scale that tested the system for timely guidance. The effort helped the commanders navigate a vast array of legal questions as the military conducted operations, and officials say the robust legal oversight may help address potential war-crimes charges once probes are completed.

In the Israeli Domestic Politics, two developments frame the day. In Bnei Brak, scenes of violence by a fringe element drew swift condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leaders, with heads of haredi parties and rabbinical figures also speaking out. A mob hurled objects at two female IDF soldiers, police had to extract them from the scene, a police motorcycle was set alight, and a tefillin and a prayer book were burned in the vehicle’s storage; three officers were injured and about 27 people were arrested, most of whom were released by Monday afternoon, with two under house arrest. The episode underscored a broader question about boundaries and accountability within the community, with leaders insisting the violence did not represent the mainstream.
Separately, opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that only his Yesh Atid party could form a government to defeat Netanyahu, urging unity among opposition factions ahead of elections no later than October. He said the camp is fragmented and that unity is essential not for party size but for the country’s future, insisting that if rival groups fail to unite, their chances of victory will fade despite polling.

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.jpost.com/israel-news/article-886871
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-886872
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-886876
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-886866