News Digest — 9/17/26
IDF Chief: War Not over Yet, Hezbollah Must Be Removed From South Of Litani
IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir visited the 91st Division on Wednesday (16th) and warned that the war is not over, while stressing the IDF remains determined to remove Hezbollah’s presence from the area south of the Litani River.
Zamir was joined by Northern Command MG Rafi Milo, Operations Directorate chief MG Itzik Cohen, Planning Directorate chief MG Hidai Zilberman, Northern Reserve Corps Commander MG Yakov Dolef, 91st Division Commander BG Yuval Gaz, Border Defense Array Commander BG Dvir Edri, and additional senior commanders.
During the visit, Zamir held an operational situation assessment in which he reviewed developments in the area and the troops readiness.
Field intelligence troops, Yahalom troops, and reservists from the 91st Division presented robotic capabilities and advanced weapons designed to assist troops in carrying out their missions and strengthen defensive capabilities in the sector.
The Chief of Staff approved the principles of the defensive concept for the area and instructed commanders to maintain troops readiness, strengthen operational preparedness, and remain on high alert in accordance with developments and operational requirements.
“The 91st Division is on the front line of defense for the residents of the north, “ Zamir said. “We operate from forward defensive areas based on maintaining a presence deep inside enemy territory beyond the border, in accordance with the updated operational concept.”
“Our troops are operating to thwart threats while strengthening the defense of the communities and residents in the north. The war is not yet over, and challenges still lie ahead.”
Zamir said the IDF had achieved significant operational successes and weakened Hezbollah, but stressed that further action is necessary.
“We have achieved many significant operational accomplishments and weakened the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The IDF is determined to rid the area south of the Litani River of Hezbollah’s presence, alongside advancing the ongoing overarching objective of disarming Hezbollah.”
He added that this objective could not be advanced through an agreement with the Lebanese government as long as the Lebanese Armed Forces do not significantly improve their effectiveness on the ground.
“We will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its strength, restore its capabilities, or reestablish terrorist infrastructure in the area,” Zamir declared.
The Chief of Staff also addressed the IDF’s growing use of robotic and unmanned systems, saying lessons from the war were driving the development of new capabilities.
“The battlefield is changing rapidly. This challenge requires us to remain in constant motion, learn quickly, and continuously improve,” he said.
“As part of the lessons we have learned throughout the war, we are developing new capabilities and expanding the use of manned and unmanned capabilities, with the aim of increasing operational effectiveness. In the coming months, we will inaugurate the Robotics Branch, which will develop capabilities in the air, at sea, and on land. What you see here is only the beginning.”
Zanir praised the use of such systems during recent fighting, including the Battle of Beaufort and operations on the Ali al-Taher Ridge.
“The capabilities you operated during the war, as well as in the Battle of Beaufort and the Ali al-Taher Ridge, were impressive, increased operational effectiveness, and saved the lives of our troops,” he said.
“We will continue moving forward rapidly, developing and adapting ourselves to the changing reality, and becoming a global leader in this field.”
More Than 40% Of West Bank Palestinians Believe Israel Doesn’t Have A Right To Exist, Poll Finds
More Palestinians in the West Bank believe Israel does not have a right to exist (46%) than those who believe it does (41%), according to a new poll published by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) on Tuesday (15th).
The survey that interviewed 400 Palestinians by telephone between June 27 and Jul 2, 2026, with a margin of error of 4.9%, also found that 42% believed it was possible to bring about the end of Israel’s existence, while only 32% said it was impossible.
More than a quarter (27%) favor a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while 22% supported a single binational state with full equal rights, and 26% preferred a single Palestinian state without Jewish presence. Only 17% said they would like to see a Palestinian state that permitted Jews as residents or citizens.
Despite a significant portion of Palestinians not recognizing Israel’s right to exist, more than half (62%) said they would prefer negotiations as a way to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while only 12% said they preferred armed resistance.
Over half of respondents say diplomatic efforts are more fruitful than violence.
Additionally, 57% were of the opinion that violence had failed and that international diplomatic efforts were more fruitful.
Given that more than half (57%) of the Palestinians polled said they believed violence had failed and that international diplomatic efforts were more fruitful, the results were that 40% of those polled said Hamas should disarm and the majority preferred for Hamas not to govern the Gaza Strip.
The most popular choice for the administration of the Gaza Strip is the current US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which was selected by 32% of respondents, An additional 21% favored the Palestinian Authority, while 21% favored a Fatah-Hamas unity government, and only 5% chose Hamas as the preferred sole authority.
Asked about who they thought should replace PA President Mahmoud Abbas, imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti was preferred by 34% of those polled, followed by Abbas’ deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, who received support from just 8% of the respondents.
Unemployment was the greatest concern among 97% of those polled, Another 60% said they had a low or very low sense of personal security.
Palestinian Authority Chief Barred From Entering US For UN Summit
The United States has denied Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, forcing him to address the gathering remotely for the second consecutive year.
The State Department confirmed Wednesday (16th ) that it was extending visa sanctions against officials from the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization, saying the Palestinian leadership had again failed to meet commitments Washington says are required under US law.
Abbas and dozens of other PA officials had applied for permission to enter the United States earlier this month despite indications that the Trump administration intended to maintain restrictions imposed last year.
The department accused the PA and PLO of pursuing cases against Israel through the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, seeking international recognition of Palestinian statehood outside direct negotiations, and continuing payments to jailed terrorists and the families of slain terrorists.
It also accused Palestinian institutions of glorifying terrorism in official statements and educational materials.
“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States,” the State department said, Washington would continue denying visas to PLO and PA officials.
“It is in our national interest to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for glorifying terrorism,” the State Department wrote.
Abbas’ office was informed of the decision Wednesday (16th). Similar rejections were issued to dozens of officials who had hoped to accompany him to New York.
The Palestinian Mission to the UN subsequently moved to secure authorization for Abbas to participate remotely.
A resolution allowing him to address the General Assembly virtually is expected to come before the body Thursday (17th).
Abbas is scheduled to speak on September 24, the same day as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In 2025, Washington denied or revoked visas for Abbas and scores of other Palestinian officials.
The renewed visa restrictions come amid particularly strained relations between Washington and Ramallah.
The Trump administration has largely sidelined the PA in its regional diplomacy while pressing it to implement political, financial, and institutional reforms before Washington will consider supporting a broader Palestinian political role.
The State Department said accredited personnel already assigned to the Palestinian observer mission in New York would continue to receive a standing waiver, meaning Palestinian diplomats currently based at the UN can continue operating there.
Trump adviser Jared Kushner later questioned whether the promised reforms would actually be implemented, saying the PA has been pledging changes “for a decade now.”
Milei Hailed For His Historic Support For Israel
Argentina’s President Javier Milei , who has emerged as one of Israel’s staunchest supporters in the world and its best friend in Latin America, has had a major influence in a changing region and around the world, Israel’s former ambassador to Argentina said on Tuesday (15th).
The comments by veteran Israeli envoy Eyal Sela, who completed a four-year term in Buenos Aires last week, come amid burgeoning ties between the two countries that have reached unprecedented highs following a diplomatic and strategic realignment under the Argentine leader.
The remarks also follow a right-wing political wave in Latin America that is driving a major diplomatic shift toward closer alliances with the United States and Israel.
“Milei is Israel’s best friend in Latin America, “ Sela told JNS news in a farewell interview. “Since taking office in December 2023, he has made a 180-degree change in relations with Israel.”
The former envoy cited an array of support that the Argentine leader—who has called himself “the most Zionist president in the world”—has offered Jerusalem over the last three years.
This has included unflinching backing for Israel’s war against terrorism, both at home and abroad; three wartime visits to the Jewish state; support for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, some of whom were Argentine nationals; the designation of terrorist organizations; promotion of the “Isaac Accords,” which seek to build on the historic 2020 Abraham Accords throughout Latin America; increased trade; and efforts to combat antisemitism globally.
“Milei had an enormous influence in various places in the world,” Sela said.
His unflinching support for Israel and outspoken stance against terrorism were further magnified by coming at a time of international opprobrium directed at the Jewish state over the war in Gaza sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.
The Argentine leader has also repeatedly pledged to move the country’s embassy to Jerusalem as soon as this year, but later hedged on the timing, saying he would do it “when the circumstances permit.”
“I hope that it will be possible soon,” Seal said. “He is committed to it, and I believe it will happen.”
Looking ahead, the former Israeli ambassador expects increased trade and business ties between the two nations, with direct flights between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires set to begin in November.
“There is high demand for the flights,” he said.
Israel is currently the second-largest importer of Argentine meat after China, and the largest per capita, accounting for 11% of Argentina’s meat export revenue, Sela said.
He noted that the Israeli government also supports investments in Argentina through a state company that provides guarantees for firms, while Israeli irrigation companies are providing technological know-how and assisting with water projects in desert areas and the country’s agricultural regions.
Sela was honored in Argentina earlier this month upon completing his tenure and decorated with the Order of May in recognition of his service in strengthening ties between the two nations.
“For four years he represented his country with the determination of his people, the depth of history, the strength of its values, and since the arrival of President Milei we have taken the bilateral relationship to its highest level,” Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno wrote on X. “Argentina honors him. This will always be his home.”
“We will do everything to strengthen ties,” Sela said. “Even better, even more.”
(jns.org)
Israel Could Rescue Saudi Arabia From The Iranian Trap – Oded Ailam
Mohammed bin Salmin, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, requested a direct American strike against the Houthis after Houthi missiles and drones struck southern Saudi Arabia, setting oil facilities and infrastructure ablaze. At the same time, the Houthis made their most significant territorial gain in years as they advanced toward positions that control access to the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint between Yemen and Africa.
Iran supplied weapons, advice, and guidance that helped facilitate the operation. The U.S. said it would increase defensive assistance but would not join the offensive campaign Riyadh had requested.
In August, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the “Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement,” stipulating that an attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all of them. But in Riyadh’s hour of need, Pakistan and Turkey offered little more than diplomatic statements.
Israel can offer Saudi Arabia early warning, air defense, real-time intelligence, electronic warfare, launcher detection, protection of oil facilities and ports, security for shipping routes, and, if necessary, active participation in containing the Houthi threat. An alliance between the two countries would be based on an understanding that the same enemy threatens them with the same missiles from the same shores.
The current crisis may be that rare moment when Israeli interests, Saudi anxiety, and the Iranian threat converge at a single point. Israel could now offer bin Salman what none of his allies can provide in full: intelligence built under fire, battle-tested defense systems, and the ability to reach the Yemeni coast. In return, it could demand an open, signed, and immediate Israeli-Saudi peace agreement.
The writer, former head of the Counterterrorism Division in the Mossad, is a researcher at the Jerusalem Center. (Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs)
