HEADLINES Winter Storm Triggers Floods Across Israel Gaza Amnesty Accuses Hamas of Crimes Against Humanity US-Israel Defense Bill Boosts Anti-Tunneling Effort The time is now 6:08 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report. Good morning. Here are the major developments shaping the Middle East and related international issues as of 6:07 a.m. Significant winter weather moves through Israel and Gaza, complicating daily life and military operations. In Israel, heavy rainfall is triggering flood warnings across the central and southern regions, with the Israel Meteorological Service forecasting substantial precipitation and snow on high ground such as Mount Hermon. A 53-year-old man in Netanya was found dead with signs of hypothermia as the storm intensified. The military has issued safety guidelines, restricting outdoor training and limiting nonessential activities, a status that will remain in effect as the weather requires. In Gaza, residents in tent camps and damaged shelters faced flood and wind damage, with the Hamas-run civil defense agency reporting thousands of distress calls and urging the rapid deployment of mobile housing to replace damaged tents. The storm is expected to persist through Thursday and ease by midday Friday, offering a clearer sky and slightly warmer temperatures for the weekend. Hospitals and clinics have been advised to prepare for an uptick in weather-related injuries and illnesses. In domestic policy, Israel’s Ministry of Education announced a sweeping change: starting in the second half of the current school year, which begins February 2, 2026, elementary school students will be prohibited from using mobile phones on school grounds. The move aims to reduce external distractions and strengthen direct human interaction in the classroom, with minister of education Yoav Kish citing research on cognitive impact and emotional well-being. Reports cited suggest about six in ten Israeli teenagers may be dealing with smartphone overuse. The ministry indicated it will review whether similar restrictions should extend to middle schools. On the international stage, Amnesty International released a comprehensive report asserting that Palestinian armed groups, led by Hamas, committed crimes against humanity during and after the October seventh attack on Israel and in Gaza, including murder, torture, enforced disappearance, and sexual violence. Amnesty’s findings rely on interviews, site visits, and analysis of combat communications and hostage treatment. The report notes thousands of Israeli casualties and hundreds of hostages taken, while also acknowledging that the Gaza war has produced a high Palestinian toll, with tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths reported by Gaza authorities. Israel rejected the genocide accusation and emphasized that its campaign targets Hamas and other militant groups, not civilians. The report deepens international debate over accountability for all sides in the conflict. In the realm of diplomacy and security policy, headlines from the United States and allied governments circulate around defense and stabilization efforts in the region. The United States House of Representatives recently passed a defense bill totaling approximately $900 billion, which includes about eighty million dollars allocated for a joint American-Israeli anti-tunneling program. This funding signals continued cooperation on deterrence and defense technologies intended to prevent underground and cross-border threats. Separately, discussions in Washington and Jerusalem have touched on a proposed temporary international stabilization force for Gaza, with statements indicating the United States might lead that effort and appoint a two-star American general to command the force, though formal confirmations were not immediately available. The broader framework envisions coordination for redevelopment in Gaza, aligned with long‑standing peace proposals and security objectives. There are external political developments as well. A global campaign was launched calling for Donald Trump to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of efforts related to Gaza ceasefire diplomacy, hostage releases, and broader regional engagement. While this reflects one strand of international commentary, such campaigns are not policy enacts nor universally supported. In parallel, discussions about United Nations relief operations in Gaza and potential sanctions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East have surfaced, reflecting concerns over ties to Hamas and other groups. Culturally and historically, a notable archaeologic find near Jerusalem has been identified as material evidence related to the era of Judah Maccabee, reinforcing the historical memory of conflict and defense in the region. Within the Israeli society, there is ongoing public discussion about national identity and security, with some programs aimed at prepar
