The Times of Israel is liveblogging Friday’s events as they unfold.

Iran tells UN chief that all Mideast assets of ‘hostile force’ are fair game if US attacks

Iran tells UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Tehran will consider bases, facilities and assets of the “hostile force” in the region as legitimate targets if it faces military aggression.

US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric toward Iran “signals a real risk of military aggression,” Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations says in the letter, adding Iran does not want a war.

Iran will respond “decisively” if subjected to military aggression, the letter says.

????????????????Iran in a letter to UN Secretary General: "If attacked, all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran’s defensive response. The United States would bear full and direct responsibility for any… pic.twitter.com/Wnj76fkDOz — Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 19, 2026

????????????????Iran in a letter to UN Secretary General: "If attacked, all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran’s defensive response. The United States would bear full and direct responsibility for any… pic.twitter.com/Wnj76fkDOz

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) February 19, 2026

Trump considering initial targeted strikes on Iran so it will accept his terms for nuclear deal — WSJ

US President Donald Trump is considering launching preliminary limited strikes on Iran with the aim of forcing the Islamic Republic to agree to his demands for a nuclear deal, according to the Wall Street Journal, stopping short of a full-scale attack that could trigger a major Iranian military response.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the US newspaper says the initial strikes could occur within days if ultimately okayed by Trump, with the attack targeting several military or government sites. If Iran still continues to reject Trump’s demand to give up its enrichment program, the report says the US will then broaden its military offensive to include regime targets, with the possible goal of removing it from power.

One source quoted in the report says Trump could start with more limited strikes before ramping them up until the regime either agrees to disassemble its nuclear program or is toppled.

Settler activists, including far-right MK, illegally cross into Gaza; IDF troops called to scene

A group of settler activists, among them far-right MK Limor Son Har-Melech, illegally breached into the Gaza Strip this evening, prompting the IDF to dispatch troops to the scene.

“We were privileged, with thanks to the blessed God, to enter the Gaza Strip, together with the Nachala movement and dozens of families, women, men, and children,” the Otzma Yehudit lawmaker writes on social media.

The activists from the ultra-nationalist Nachala settlement organization say they crossed the Gaza border with vehicles and planted trees in the area.

The IDF has not yet commented on the incident, but in previous similar cases has said that crossing the Gaza border “is dangerous and disrupts the activity of security forces in the area.”

בפתחו של חודש אדר, אשר נהפך להם מיגון לשמחה ומאבל ליום טוב, זכינו בהודיה לה' יתברך להיכנס לחבל עזה, ביחד עם תנועת "נחלה" ועוד עשרות משפחות, נשים, גברים, וילדים. עזה שלנו לתמיד. רק כך נבטיח ניצחון וביטחון אמיתי לעם ישראל.???????? pic.twitter.com/QN4iLvWTMa — לימור סון הר מלך (@limor_sonhrmelh) February 19, 2026

בפתחו של חודש אדר, אשר נהפך להם מיגון לשמחה ומאבל ליום טוב,

זכינו בהודיה לה' יתברך להיכנס לחבל עזה, ביחד עם תנועת "נחלה" ועוד עשרות משפחות, נשים, גברים, וילדים.

עזה שלנו לתמיד. רק כך נבטיח ניצחון וביטחון אמיתי לעם ישראל.???????? pic.twitter.com/QN4iLvWTMa

— לימור סון הר מלך (@limor_sonhrmelh) February 19, 2026

Israeli figure skater Seniuk finishes 24th after fall during Olympic free skate

Israeli figure skater Mariia Seniuk finishes in 24th place at the 2026 Winter Olympics, following a fall during her program in the women’s free skate that landed her with only 94 points.

Skating to the theme music from the TV show “Stranger Things,” Seniuk fell while trying to land the triple loop, resulting in a deduction.

On Tuesday, Seniuk completed the short program in 22nd place, after a clean performance where she hit every one of her planned elements. That performance garnered her and 23 other qualifying skaters a spot in tonight’s free skate.

Seniuk receives a combined score of 152.61 points after both skates, leaving her at the bottom of today’s table.

The 20-year-old skater, making her Olympic debut, said Tuesday that she had “felt the support” from the crowd: “I’m very, very grateful to everyone, and especially to the people who were holding the [Israeli] flag.”

Israel only has one event left to contest at the 2026 Games — the four-man bobsleigh, taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

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