Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-23 at 07:02

HEADLINES
Iran war escalation deepens with Tehran blast
CDU ends UNRWA funding freezes PA aid
Kosher lines blocked half million haredim affected

The time is now 7:01 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, Laura Loomer, a conservative American journalist closely aligned with former president Trump, told listeners that “today is going to be a very interesting day.” Separately, a blast was reported at a power plant in the Tehran area, with footage showing plumes of smoke rising from the site.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Germany’s ruling CDU voted to end UNRWA funding and freeze aid to the Palestinian Authority, citing Hamas ties and demanding reforms before any future Palestinian assistance. Documentation has surfaced of activity by the IDF’s 7th Brigade in the Gaza Strip, and there is also documentation of the dismantling of an underground tunnel in the Rafah area.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a Israeli-American conservative philosopher details President Trump’s effort to broker a rapprochement between Tucker Carlson and pro-Israel Republicans, and notes that Carlson’s involvement ultimately worsened the feud.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, tens of thousands of kosher phone lines have been blocked, affecting about half a million haredim, along with the IDF Disabled and Victims of Hostilities Organization and several hotlines; Rami Levy Communications said it does not initiate or order the blocking and that the Rabbinical Committee for Communications Affairs has the authority to determine which numbers are blocked. At Ben Gurion Airport, coverage described a scene where taxis were scarce and 500-shekel fines were imposed, prompting commentary that the public is not a bank of fines; the Economics Committee held a session on intensified enforcement of traffic laws at the airport and the lack of alternatives for passenger pickup and drop-off.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Fridberg notes that in cities like Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva there are already abundant vacant office and commercial spaces, and many young people endure high rents in inadequate housing; she proposes converting office buildings into student housing and affordable housing near employment centers to relieve shortages, sustain activity around these hubs, and potentially lower rents for youths and students. Also, twenty graduates of a new six-week IDF course at the School for Computer Professions will be deployed across units to develop artificial intelligence tools for text, audio and visual analysis to support operational missions and cyber defense.

In Uplifting News, a former Hamas hostage who was 19 at the time of kidnapping during the Hamas-led attack on the northwestern Negev has turned her ordeal into music.

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.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1288168
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https://worldisraelnews.com/trump-tucker-netanyahu-how-the-presidents-bid-to-end-carlsons-israel-feud-failed/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887605
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1288153
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1288151
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1288165
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1fkwnfowe
https://worldisraelnews.com/former-hamas-hostage-turns-ordeal-into-music/