Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-15 at 21:01

HEADLINES
- Taliban Signals Aid to Iran, Prefers Diplomacy
- Israel Kills Gaza PIJ Leader Amid Strikes
- Deni Avdija Becomes Israeli NBA All-Star

The time is now 9:01 PM 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, the Taliban will aid and assist the Islamic Republic of Iran in the event of US strikes on the country, according to spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid who spoke to Radio Iran's Pashto-language service on Sunday. Afghanistan's people would show sympathy and possibly cooperate with Iran if requested, Mujahid said, but the group is not committing to joining a retaliatory war against the United States. He stressed that the Taliban do not want conflict between the United States and Iran and would prefer to pursue diplomatic measures and continued negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. He also said Iran won the 12-day war with Israel and the United States in June and would win again if the United States attacks, adding that Iran has the capability, is in the right, and has the right to defend itself. The Taliban condemned Israel's strikes on the Islamic Republic's nuclear enrichment facilities, military leadership, and other strategic locations, and tensions persist between Iran and Afghanistan along fault lines separating Shia and Sunni communities, with Iran aligned with Twelver Shiism.

In the Disputed Territories (Gaza, Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem), Israeli forces pressed operations in the Gaza Strip, striking targets in the northern Gaza Strip, Gaza City in the central region, and Khan Yunis in the south in a series of actions following ceasefire violations reported on Saturday. The Israeli military confirmed the killing of Ahmad Bayouk, who filmed himself infiltrating Re'im base as part of the October 7 massacre, during Sunday’s operations. The army also said it killed Azem Abu Huli, head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Nukhba Array in the central region, during last week's actions in Gaza. Ceasefire violations on Saturday saw armed Gazans emerge from the rubble of a building about two kilometers east of the Yellow Line, near an IDF post in Beit Hanun, apparently entering the territory via subterranean tunnels. The IDF also struck Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets in the Majdal Anjar area in central Lebanon, near the border with Syria. Separately, IDF observers and the Aerial Control Center intercepted a drone attempting to smuggle three M-16 rifles into Israel on Friday.

In Uplifting News, Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija made history as the first Israeli named to the NBA All-Star Game. The Portland Trail Blazers forward started for Team World in the All-Star showcase at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, telling reporters it was a dream come true as he wore Team World’s uniform with the Israeli flag and his number eight. Avdija contributed five points in the opening game, part of a shortened tournament format, and Team World was eliminated after Game III, with Avdija not scoring in that final appearance. At 25 years old and 6 feet 8 inches, he is having what some describe as a breakout season, averaging about 25.5 points per game for Portland this year. It marks his sixth NBA season, after a stint with the Washington Wizards, before joining Portland last season. He holds Israeli and Serbian citizenship, and his father played for the Yugoslav national team; Avdija has consistently identified as Israeli and chose to play for the Israeli national team as a teenager.

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://t.me/JewishNews24/49586
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-886757
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-886758
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-886761
https://t.me/JewishNews24/49585