Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-17 at 06:02

HEADLINES
- Oman mediates Iran-US talks in Geneva
- Lebanon pushes Hezbollah disarmament amid mounting tension
- Hamas rejects US demand to disarm

The time is now 6:01 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, indirect talks in Geneva over Iran’s long-running nuclear dispute have begun, mediated by Oman, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi joining US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the table. President Trump said he would be involved indirectly in the Geneva negotiations and argued Tehran wants a deal to avoid the consequences of not reaching one, recalling that Washington once deployed B-2 bombers to strike nuclear targets. Tehran has said it halted uranium enrichment, even as Washington masses a battle force in the region. In this broader regional dynamic, Lebanon’s army is pursuing a two-pronged effort to disarm Hezbollah, with the army chief visiting Washington and the prime minister touring the country’s south to press the plan, a move that underscores ongoing tension over Hezbollah’s presence. Supreme Leader Khamenei warned that the most dangerous weapon is the one that can send a carrier to the bottom of the sea, a stark signal as talks resume. Iran has dispatched a full delegation to Geneva, including political, legal, economic, and technical experts, while Russia’s participation adds to a complex diplomatic backdrop as Washington weighs a narrow path between diplomacy and force. And in the United States, President Trump reiterated that Iran does not want the consequences of not making a deal.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Hamas says the US demand for Hamas to disarm has been rejected, with a senior Hamas official denouncing the call and saying it will not be acceded to.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Swiss commentator sparked outrage with on-air remarks about the Israeli Olympic bobsled team, drawing backlash from supporters who say the Games should focus on athletic achievement and unity rather than political commentary. Separately, a study finds Qatar’s children still study antisemitic textbooks that whitewash Hitler and promote violent jihad, highlighting concerns about anti-Jewish propaganda within official education and its spread beyond Qatar’s borders.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, new figures from the Rabbinical Courts Administration show 11,093 divorces in 2025, down 3.9 percent from 2024’s 11,542, with a city-by-city breakdown included in the annual report. In a separate development, former prime minister Naftali Bennett said he will not join a future Netanyahu government after the election, arguing that Israel needs new leadership following what he described as a national failure after the October 7 attacks.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Arkia unveiled its Spring–Summer 2026 schedule, expanding to about 40 destinations across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean, with new routes to Phuket, Malaga, Ibiza, and Vilnius and a deeper long-haul plan including transatlantic service to New York and routes to parts of Asia. The carrier also announced a first-time Business Class on a subset of European routes, starting with Tel Aviv–Paris on Airbus A320s, featuring 12 premium seats, lounge access, enhanced baggage allowances, and a premium dining menu, with one-way fares to Paris starting at $850.

In Uplifting News, seven siblings aged 19 to 41 and their spouses, Avraham, Rivki, Shlomi, Meir, Leah, David, and Elisha Farkash, all volunteer as medics in Jerusalem, joined by Leah’s husband Elazar, forming a family-driven mission to save lives through their service.

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/international/article-886942
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https://worldisraelnews.com/qatars-children-still-study-antisemitic-textbooks-that-whitewash-hitler-promote-violent-jihad-study-finds/
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