Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-09-05 at 23:01

HEADLINES
- Zini warns Gaza pullout costly
- Winter secret meeting warned against Gaza invasion
- Historic Gafni Maklev exit reshapes Degel HaTorah

The time is now 11:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, IDF Colonel (Reserve) Oren Zini, a former commander, praised security forces after the arrest of the person described as the head of Hamas's Shin Bet, in an interview on Friday. He warned against any future agreement that would force the IDF to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon before completing its missions, saying that in the current reality the Shin Bet and security forces are performing at a very high level with top-tier intelligence and capable forces. He noted that operations in the south and the north have been highly successful, including targeted eliminations, and that policy now permits action in areas previously considered out of reach. He cautioned that withdrawing would come at a heavy price.

Also in Israeli Domestic Politics, Degel HaTorah, the ultra-Orthodox faction within United Torah Judaism, faces changes as Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Uri Maklev prepare to leave the Knesset to refresh the party’s lineup. Spiritual leader Lando sent letters thanking them for their years of service and urged Gafni to remain the party’s chairman. The party has drawn attention in recent months over its advocacy for the Basic Law: Torah Study, which defines Torah study as a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel. The bill passed in July by 63 votes to 52, and in May Lando issued a statement allowing party members to work toward dissolving the Knesset “as soon as possible.” In this context, Lando underscored the need to refresh the party’s presence in the Knesset.

Also in Israeli Domestic Politics, days after October 7, Ofer Winter, a right-wing former general, reportedly tried to dissuade Prime Minister Netanyahu from pursuing a Gaza ground offensive in a secret meeting, telling him that 15,000 soldiers could die and thousands would be kidnapped if the invasion proceeded.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Spanish far-right activists used Nazi-style salutes during anti-migrant protests in Madrid, as dozens of Núcleo Nacional members demonstrated over the influx of about 72,000 illegal infiltrators into the Ceuta enclave in late July.

In Uplifting News, archaeologists in northwestern Turkey report the discovery of around 25 limestone turtle figurines believed to be up to 16,500 years old, found inside a cave at Gedikkaya Hill. Radiocarbon dating places the finds in the Epipaleolithic period, between 14,500 and 11,200 BCE. The largest figurine measures about 30 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide, with several pieces covered in clay. The site was identified as an archaeological location in 2017, with excavations conducted in 2019 and 2023 by a team led by Professor Deniz Sari under a presidential decree. Researchers say the artifacts indicate the cave was an important cult and ritual area, and the turtle figurines add a new dimension to the ritual context.

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/defense-news/article-907657
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-907655
https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-days-after-oct-7-ofer-winter-tried-to-talk-pm-out-of-gaza-ground-offensive/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spanish-far-right-activists-use-nazi-style-salutes-in-anti-migrant-protests/
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-907598