#realtime updates

⚠️ ISRAEL AND ALLIES SIGNAL STEALTH-BASED POSTURE TOWARD IRAN AS U.S. NAVAL ASSETS SHIFT AND IRAN IMPOSES SEVERE INTERNAL SECURITY CONTROLS

🕑 January 16, 2026 | 2:00 PM

‼️ Operational posture toward Iran: It was confirmed that the operation is expected to rely heavily on stealth. It is described as an approach in which the direction and timing of any action against Iran would not be visible in advance.

🛡️ U.S. naval movement to the Mediterranean: The USS George Bush aircraft carrier and its carrier strike group, CVN-77, have departed for Europe and are en route to the Mediterranean.

🕵️ Senior Israeli security talks in the United States: The head of the Mossad, David Barnea, has arrived in the United States ahead of meetings with senior government officials. The talks are reported to focus on Iran.

🚨 Severe internal security measures across Iran: Reports from multiple Iranian cities describe a sharp escalation in security controls and an atmosphere resembling martial law following violent crackdowns and killings on Thursday and Friday. Since January 12, IRGC and Basij forces have set up checkpoints, restricted movement, and intensified inspections of vehicles and civilians. Residents in Borujen, Mashhad, and Khanmirza County report phone checks at checkpoints and the deployment of large military vans in city streets. In Isfahan, residents say conditions shift to a martial-law environment from 6:00 PM onward. Similar restrictions were reported in Torbat-e Jam, where movement is said to be limited to essential shopping, and in Sari, Mazandaran, where citizens describe comparable military pressure.

Chief Rabbinute instructions with details

Erev Shabbat (before Shabbat) - Parshat Mishpatim

Shabbat Times here -> https://www.myzmanim.com/search.aspx

Rosh Chodesh, new Jewish month of Adar I starts today!

🔸SOUTH - Rocket fire from GAZA is mostly eliminated, BUT there are occasional rocket attacks which are more often on Shabbat. Risk is low except for Ashkelon, Ashdod, Sderot and near-Gaza towns - take basic precautions (know your shelter).

🔸NORTH - Risk medium, but situation could grow very serious suddenly.  Safety precautions around synagogue attendance is necessary, know your shelter options.

🔸EILAT and NEGEV - Risk low but real, occasional attacks from Yemen, take basic precautions (know your shelter).

❗️Due to Pikuach Nefesh you MUST have a way to receive alerts on Shabbat!  Here’s how…

SILENT CHANNELS - Radio & TV stations go “silent broadcast” for Shabbat, ONLY announcements of alerts.

No TV or Radio?  STREAM IT on phone or computer.

➡️ SILENT TV -  Channel 14 - stream https://www.now14.co.il/live/ (doesn’t work with adblocker)

➡️ SILENT RADIO - 

• Kol Chai radio - on radio 92.8, 93 and 102.5. - stream https://www.93fm.co.il/radio/players/%d7%a9%d7%99%d7%93%d7%95%d7%a8-%d7%97%d7%99/

• Kol Barama Radio - on radio 92.1, 104.3, 105.7 and 107.6. - stream https://kol-barama.co.il/live/

• Galei Israel - on radio 89.3, 94 and 106.5. - https://www.rlive.co.il/station/galey-israel

➡️ ON COMPUTER - leave a computer open to https://www.oref.org.il/en - alerts will display and sound on the screen. Turn OFF screen saver, sleep and hibernate so the computer doesn’t turn off.

➡️ VIA APP - leave on phone with red alert app.  Set app to YOUR area so it only alerts for your area.  We suggest Tzofar Red Alert or Homefront Command - available in Play Store and App Store.  IF an alert goes off for your area CLICK THE PHONE TO VERIFY ALERT TYPE - to see if infiltration!   Yes, on Shabbat - this is Pikuach Nefesh!

⁉️ ENGLISH SILENT CHANNEL - is there a silent channel in English?  NO.  But you can use Pikud HaOref ON SCREEN in English, see “ON COMPUTER” option above.

It is a mitzvah to take actions to protect and save and preserve life on Shabbat, not a violation.  But ONLY actions which do so.

🔹 Join ISRAEL REALTIME - click below and you’re in!

🔹 PREFERRED Telegram link .. https://t.me/Israel_Realtime_Updates 

Erev Shabbat (before Shabbat) - Parshat Mishpatim

Shabbat Times here -> https://www.myzmanim.com/search.aspx

Rosh Chodesh, new Jewish month of Adar I starts today!

🔻SUICIDE DRONE attack from Hezbollah-Lebanon to HAIFA over the sea, intercepted and destroyed - loud explosion heard. No sirens as it was destroyed before getting close.

▪️AID PROTESTS.. protestors blocking aid trucks at the Kerem Shalom crossing again this morning, cutting aid entry to Gaza by 1/2 or more.  Protestors have also blocked the Nitsana crossing.

▪️EGYPT REINFORCING THE GAZA BORDER.. (enemy sources) the Egyptian army has advanced forces to the Rafah crossing area and has significantly increased helicopter combat patrols.  Enemy sources say the aim is to prevent the influx of Gazans to Egypt and any potential rushing of the border.  For the moment the Rafah crossing remains open, but only to very limited approved use.

▪️ALLOWING HAMAS MONEY MOVEMENT??  “it was decided to allow Hamas to transfer money from the Bank of Palestine in Gaza to banks in Judea and Samaria.” - opposition MK Lieberman, questioning why.

▪️IRAN LEADER SAYS.. “The victory of the Gazans becomes more and more clear with each passing day.” (( You might wonder, is this propaganda or does he believe it? Either is possible in their post-truth world, but many WILL believe HIS statement. And will lead others attack because ‘they want part of the glory of winning over Israel’. ))

▪️”SETTLER VIOLENCE”.. (Ch. 14) 1,300 of the "settler violence" incidents in the UN report are Jewish/tourist visits to the Temple Mount.  In another counted ‘incident’ a resident of Havat Ramimoni in Binyamin, was very seriously injured about three months ago being attacked with an ax while grazing sheep. The prosecutor's office closed the case against the arrested terrorists, due to the police's refusal to also investigate the Jewish side on suspicion of a counterattack, and released the terrorists to their homes.

▪️RED SEA SHIPPING - EU JOINS.. The European Union, who is the primary destination impacted by the Houthis Red Sea attacks, has after months authorized military operations in the Red Sea designed to "secure the passage of commercial ships in the Red Sea."

🔻ROCKETS & SUICIDE DRONES from Hezbollah - Lebanon, x3 - near border towns Gonen, Kfar Blum, Sir, Shomera, and others.

🔻ROCKETS from Hamas - Gaza, x2 - near Gaza towns Nachal Oz, Sderot, Nir Am and others.

▪️HEZBOLLAH ATTACK INJURES SOLDIERS.. one serious and two moderate from Hezbollah anti-tank missile strike from Lebanon.

▪️IDF TARGETED ASSASSINATION OF HEZBOLLAH.. drone strike on a car in Nabatia, Lebanon, killing 2. The Arab Network says a Hezbollah an area commander who helped build the Iranian air defense in Syria was targeted.

▪️GAZA - satellite maps (not included here) show 1/5 of Khan Yunis is now rubble.

▪️GAZA - IDF DESTROYS.. Palestinian channels: The IDF recently blew up a residential complex in the Qizan al-Najjar area in southern Khan Yunis. (( usually blowing up tunnels below, or destroying buildings that are used as military attack points ))

▪️RED SEA SHIPPING - Worlds largest shipping company Maersk: “The US Navy informed us they do not have the ability to guarantee safe passage in the Red Sea at this time.”

▪️RED SEA SHIPPING (2) - According to some reports in the Western media, shipping companies started hanging Putin's picture on their ships so that Ansar Allah (Houthis) will not attack them. 

▪️HOUTHIS - FAKE SITES - The Houthis are showing on videos that they are setting up fake missile sites, with tin missile models and launchers, all painted and appearing eqiuvalent to the real thing - with the goal of fooling US satellites and drones to draw US attacks with no impact.

▪️US/UK ATTACKING YEMEN - Jets over several sites in Yemen, US claims to have destroyed missiles on the ground.  (( Real ones? ))

▪️AID PROTESTS - overnight the aid protestors set up a tent camp to continue to block trucks from entering Kerem Shalom at all hours.  Starting a short time ago the police began to forcefully remove the tents of the protestors.

▪️SAMARIA - SHECHEM COUNTER-TERROR - IDF forces operating in Shechem today.

▪️SAMARIA - QALQILYA COUNTER-TERROR - IDF forces operating in the Azon part of Qalqilya today.

▪️JUDEA - JERICHO COUNTER-TERROR - IDF forces operating in Jericho today.

▪️SHIA MILITIAS TO MOVE AGAINST U.S. BASES.. Iraqi sources: The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) gave the green light to the militias of Al Shaabi and Al Najaba in Iraq to respond with heavy attacks on American bases, at the same time as the message that went out on their behalf to the US that they must immediately leave the territory of Iraq and Syria.

▪️IDF SHIFTING FORCES NORTH.. (N12) Division 36 recently fought against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, and has now been transferred to operational activity on the northern border. "We are after four months of fighting and we are not taking our foot off the gas," said the commander as the division was training prior to their move.

▪️GAZA.. "A huge convoy of IDF tanks is in East Rafah, be warned.” This was one of the reports that was widely circulated among Gazans on social media last night.  Unknown if true, but panic among Gazans.

▪️US ASSASSINATES IRAQI HEZBOLLAH LEADER.. US drone strike on Iraqi Iranian supported Shia militia leader, who the US blames for attacks on a US base that killed US soldiers.

▪️IRAQI RESPONSE.. all the Iraqi Shia militias and Iraqi Shia politicians have declared REVENGE on the US.  The politicians of Iraq are now declaring the US must leave or pay hard.

▪️LEBANON HEZBOLLAH ATTACKS.. Starting the morning with very-large Burkhan rockets and anti-tank missiles fired from Lebanon at Israel.  IDF responds with artillery at Al D'Hira, Al Jabin, Tir Kharfa, Al Khayyam, the town of Kila and the area of ​​Al Adisa.

▪️NORTH WAR PREP.. Hospitals in the north continue to prepare for war, and were asked to immediately look for suitable places to build an alternative helipad (helicopter landing site), in case the current/primary one is damaged. (N12 - Yoav Even)

▪️RED SEA SHIPPING - ATTACK.. reports of an attack in the Red Sea overnight.

▪️US/UK ATTACKS YEMEN.. Attacks by the American coalition overnight in the Houthi-controlled Hodeidah and Zada ​​districts.  Reports of another wave of attacks NOW.

▪️NOT INSPECTED AID.. Ch. 14 expose’: Some aid trucks are moving from Egypt to Gaza and back without inspection!  Analysts speculate may be intention to allow Hamas leadership to flee.

▪️JUDEA-SAMARIA ATTACK.. A Palestinian gunman opened fire at troops near the West Bank town of Dayr Sharaf and was terminated. Two more Palestinians wounded in the same incident, possibly by the attackers gunfire.  No IDF casualties, although one soldier took a bullet to the helmet.

IDF forces blew up the house of the terrorist Hassan Kafisha in Hebron who took part in the attack at the tunnel checkpoint last November.

▪️HAMAS LEADERS SON.. spotted at the AFC Asia Cup football (soccer) tournament in Doha, Qatar. He left Gaza on Sept. 18.

▪️RUSSIA PRESIDENT PUTIN SAYS.. told the leaders of the Jewish community in Russia that Moscow had achieved "specific results" in the diplomatic efforts to free the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. He further said Russia made use of its contacts with the political arm of Hamas.

▪️GAZA - IDF ATTACKING RAFAH.. the most southern city of Gaza, and the one that connects Gaza to Egypt - both via entry port and likely smuggling tunnels, and the last Hamas stronghold.  Multiple reports of IDF airstrikes into Rafah this morning.

▪️HOSTAGE PROTEST IN FRONT OF IDF HQ.. Hostage families and activists for their release blocked Begin Road in front of the Kirya base in Tel Aviv (across from Arielli) last night in protest against the “poison campaign” that they say is being waged against the families and demanding a deal that would lead to the release of their relatives.

▪️DEFENSE MINISTER ON LEBANON.. "We are pushing the enemy. The military operation gives Hezbollah an understanding that it is better for it to choose the political path, and at the same time proves our military capabilities." 

▪️SYRIA - OVERNIGHT ATTACKS ON HOMS.. airstrikes, though local channels report civilian deaths from failed air defense missiles rather than the attack.  Sources associated with the regime list 4 sites that were attacked:  Elkzir area (Kosair) southwest of Homs- civilian casualties from air defenses, Havat Aloer and the eastern area of Tadmor Square, Hamra Street in the city of Homs, a building collapsed, and in the area of the municipal stadium - civilian casualties from air defenses, the Alauras area in Homs.  While likely Israel, the IDF does NOT confirm attacks in Syria.

▪️US HOUSE REJECTS ISRAEL AID DUE TO INTERNAL POLITICS..  The U.S. House of Representatives rejected a Republican-led bill on Tuesday that would provide $17.6 billion to Israel, as Democrats said they wanted a vote instead on a broader measure that would also provide assistance to Ukraine, international humanitarian funding and new money for border security.  The vote was 250 to 180, falling short because it was introduced under an expedited procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage.  The against was mostly Democrats.

▪️US PRESSURE… A senior American administration official told NBC: The Biden administration is exploring various options, including recognition of a Palestinian state, which would give legal and symbolic status to the Palestinians and add international pressure on Israel to take part in meaningful negotiations that would lead to sustainable peace. (( First, as always where is the pressure on Hamas or the Palestinian Authority for “meaningful negotiations”?  Second, this is a classic “we’re not doing that, but some anonymous official is saying we might - to create pressure” tactic. Third, we will not suicide because defending ourselves doesn’t meet your expectations. ))

▪️IRAN FUNDING HAMAS.. IDF captures documentation showing direct funding from Iran, in years 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020, Hamas leader Sinwar received $15 million, $48 million, $42 million, and $12 million, respectively. 

▪️HOUTHI SHIPPING ATTACKS.. US Central Command: “Yesterday the Houthis launched 6 missiles at two merchant ships - one Greek and one British. 3 missiles were launched at the Greek ship, one exploded near the ship and caused minor damage. One was intercepted by the destroyer USS Laboon and one fell in the water. 3 missiles that were launched at the British ship - they all missed.

▪️US/UK ATTACKS ON YEMEN.. Arab sources reported a British-American attack overnight in the Hudaydah area of Yemen.

🔻ROCKETS from Lebanon to near-border towns, multiple rockets per town. Rockets at beautiful Rosh HaNikra, anti-tank missiles at Margaliot - again, 2 soldiers injured.  Firing of rockets at an IDF post on the northern border, between Zerait and Aramsha.

▪️TERROR - GUNFIRE AT KIBBUTZ MEIRAV..  gunfire across the green line, Meirav is a kibbutz on Mt. Gilboa, 500 meters from the green line.  Gunfire from the Arab town of Jilbon, damage to a house.  IDF in pursuit.

▪️STONE THROWING AT IDF - MODI’IN ILLIT - 5 Arabs arrested for throwing stones and bricks at security forces by the town.

▪️SPORTS EVENTS RESTRICTIONS REMOVED BY HOME FRONT - stadiums may now be fully attended.

▪️AID PROTESTS - Police, ‘we arrested the (Order 9) protestor’s bus driver after he refused to stop when told the area was a closed military zone.’

▪️GAZA - TUNNEL DATA CENTER.. IDF forces capture an underground tunnel based data center & server farm.  What is on the servers?

▪️WALL STREET JOURNAL HEADLINE - "You may have missed it because of the media defeatism, but Israel is winning its war in Gaza. Hamas casualties are increasing, and support for the Israeli war effort continues around the world, longer than Hamas expected."

▪️HOUTHIS ATTACK & THREATEN - the Houthis say they fired anti-ship missiles at a US and UK ship in the last few hours.  In addition, they directly threaten Bahrain that they will be attacked with surface-to-surface missiles.  “The naval forces of the armed forces of Yemen carried out two military operations in the Red Sea, the first targeting an American ship "Star Nasia", while the other aimed at a British ship "Morning Tide" with appropriate naval missiles, and the attacks were direct and accurate."

◼️ Friday night, the IDF says it intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that headed toward Israel over the Red Sea area. The missile, apparently launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, was downed by the long-range Arrow air defense system.

◼️ The Houthis in Yemen in a statement: We attacked specific targets of the Israeli enemy in the area of Umm Rasarsh (Eilat) using several ballistic missiles. We confirm the continued implementation of our religious, moral and humanitarian obligations towards the Palestinian people. We will not hesitate to carry out additional military operations against Israel on land and at sea until the aggression ceases and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.

◼️ U.S. Central Command has announced that B-1B “Lancer” Heavy Bombers launched from the United States and other Aircraft from the U.S. Air Force have conducted Strikes tonight against upwards of 85 Targets utilized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian-Backed Groups in Eastern Syria and Iraq, with at least 125 Precision Munition said to have been used against Sites related to Command and Control Operation Centers, Intelligence Centers, Rockets, and Missiles, and Unmanned-Aerial Vehicle Storages, and Logistics and Munition Supply Facilities.

◼️ In an attempt to deter the US from escalating tensions - Iran placed all its armed forces on the highest alert level, activated air defense systems, and placed ballistic missiles along the border with Iraq, according to a report in the New York Times.