Hamas doubles down

Summary

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Ark News Daily | "Hamas Doubles Down"

Date: July 21, 2026
Host: Deborah Pardes

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the escalating US-Iran war—its surging unpopularity in the US, mounting military and diplomatic costs, and a deteriorating regional landscape. The podcast also explores a pivotal leadership change within Hamas, implications for Gaza peace efforts, and, in a standout cultural segment, Hungary's nomination of chess icon Judit Polgar for president, speaking to the significance of identity and excellence in turbulent political times.

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War with Iran: Domestic and Military Pressures

• Congressional Hearings:
  Congress is set to grill Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman Dan Kaine about the war’s financing and US military stockpile status, under increasing scrutiny as public support collapses.
  Timestamps: [00:13]–[01:30]

  • Quote:
    “Polls show that the war is the least popular on record. Nearly 60% of Americans oppose it… The war in Vietnam took six years to become as hated as the Iran war has become in just six months.”
    — Deborah Pardes [00:33]

• US Strikes and Escalation:
  Ten days of continuous US strikes on Iran target key shipping lanes and command infrastructure, with unnamed officials hinting at preparation for “bigger, more complex operations.”
  [00:41]

• American Casualties:
  The Pentagon identified two fallen servicemembers after an attack on a US base in Jordan: First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan (25, Hawaii) and Private Isabella Gonzalez (19, Texas).
  [01:25]

  • Quote (regarding fallen soldiers):
    “You know, those great people, those great patriots were out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear…”
    — Donald Trump [01:58]

  • Trump also posted on Truth Social:
    “Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over.”
    — Read by Deborah Pardes [02:07]

• Iran’s Counterattacks & Regional Threats:
  Iranian Revolutionary Guards vow continued attacks if “US aggression” persists. Iran encourages the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandab Strait; Houthis announce compliance, threatening a 7% global oil supply cut.
  [02:14]

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Dimming Diplomatic Prospects

• State of Negotiations:
  Despite intensification, both sides claim to remain open to diplomacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iranian officials confirm ongoing diplomatic channels with mediators.
  [02:57], [03:09]

  • Quote:
    “The United States always remains open to a diplomatic solution… If that door opens, we'll be happy to see it open.”
    — Marco Rubio [02:57]

• Ceasefire Proposal:
  Iran confirms receipt of a 10-day ceasefire proposal, aiming to salvage a MOU and lay groundwork for lasting peace.
  [03:13]

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Hamas Leadership Change: Hardline Turn

• New Hamas Leader:
  Hamas announces Khalil Al Khayya as its new political chief—the first permanent leader since Sinwar’s 2024 assassination. Al Khayya, a founding operative and “veteran” closely tied to Iran, is known for masterminding negotiations and coordinating past multi-front operations against Israel.
  [03:54]–[05:04]

  • Quote (on Al Khayya):
    “He was the envoy… to try to coordinate a multi front, multi regional attack on Israel.”
    — Nadav Eyal/Ronen Bergman (Call Me Back excerpt) [04:39]

• Personal Loss and Diplomatic Impasse:
  Al Khayya has lost four sons to Israeli strikes—one in a failed assassination attempt in Qatar. In negotiations, US envoy Steve Witkoff reflected on shared loss.
  [05:18]–[05:59]

  • Quote:
    “We expressed our condolences to him for the loss of his son. He mentioned it and I told him that I had lost a son and that we were both members of a really bad club. Parents who have buried children.”
    — Steve Witkoff [05:48]

• Implications for Gaza and Peace:
  The US plan for Gaza hinges on Hamas disarming—an idea Al Khayya rejects unless there's a guaranteed political pathway for Palestinian statehood. Progress is slow, with “baby steps,” as both Israeli and US officials remain skeptical under Al Khayya’s hardline approach.
  [06:05]

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Notable International Moment: Judit Polgar and Hungarian Identity

• Chess Legend Nominated as President:
  Hungary’s parliament makes a dramatic bid to reset national identity by nominating Judit Polgar—the world’s greatest female chess player and a Jewish cultural icon—as president.
  [06:28]–[07:31]

  • Quote (from Parliamentary session):
    “We finally have the opportunity to start with a clean slate and not elect a former or current politician.”
    — Prime Minister Peter Madhyar [06:59]

• Jewish Pride and Heritage:
  The Jewish community watches closely. Polgar, whose grandmother is an Auschwitz survivor, maintains strong Israeli ties and speaks candidly about Jewish identity post-October 7th.
  [07:36]–[08:27]

  • Quote (Polgar):
    “Well, I'm very proud to be Jewish, but I know that how difficult it is for us… I guess in life we always have to be ready for challenges, and that's what Israeli people, individually, they do right?”
    — Judit Polgar [08:03]

• Polgar’s Trailblazing Achievements:
  Polgar broke all gender barriers in chess, ranked among the world’s top ten and defeating legends like Garry Kasparov. Her potential presidency was seen as a chance to redefine patriotic identity beyond politics.
  [08:27]–[09:15]

• Refusal of the Presidency:
  Polgar declines the nomination, citing the magnitude of the responsibility:
  [09:45]

  • Polgar’s Statement:
    “I feel I don’t have the strength to take on what she called the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation.”
    — Deborah Pardes (paraphrasing Polgar's Facebook post) [09:50]

  • Polgar on her priorities:
    “The real goal is to stay balanced with myself, so if I'm okay with myself, I can give love, support, inspiration… Promoting chess in education… games and chess… can give such skills for thinking.”
    — Judit Polgar [10:12]

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Closing Thoughts

• Chess and Statesmanship as Metaphors:
  Deborah Pardes closes with a reflection, drawing from chess: not every move wins immediately; some positions require patience and willingness to sacrifice, echoing the challenges in politics and peacebuilding.
  [10:35]

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Selected Timestamps Quick Guide

• [00:33] – US War With Iran: Public Opinion & Historical Comparison
• [01:25] – Fallen US Soldiers & Trump’s Response
• [02:14] – Strait Closures & Oil Impact
• [02:57] – Marco Rubio on Diplomacy
• [04:39] – Hamas Leadership Analysis: Al Khayya’s Role
• [05:48] – Steve Witkoff on Parental Grief in Conflict
• [07:36] – Judit Polgar on Jewish Identity
• [09:50] – Polgar Declines Presidency
• [10:35] – Chess Lessons for Life & Leadership

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Summary prepared for listeners of Ark News Daily, covering all important developments in war, peace, and the enduring stories of resilience and identity.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

You are listening to an art media podcast.

[Deborah Pardes]

It's Tuesday, july 21st. This episode was recorded at 7pm new york time on Monday. I'm deborah pardes and this is arc news daily. The cost of the war with Iran is expected to dominate a congressional hearing today. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kaine will be questioned about financing along with concerns over US Military stockpiles. Amid the recent escalations. Polls show that the war is the least popular on record. Nearly 60% of Americans oppose it, according to data compiled by the substack Silver Bulletin. The Economist noted that the war in Vietnam took six years to become as hated as the Iran war has become come in just six months. But the fighting is showing no signs of slowing down. Yesterday the US completed its 10th day of continuous strikes on Iran. Officials say the attacks are meant to degrade Iran's ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as well as target military command centers, surveillance sites and communication networks. Sources told Reuters they're also meant to pave the way for potentially bigger, more complex operations. Yesterday, the Pentagon identified the two soldiers who were killed over the weekend, 25 year old First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan from Hawaii and 19 year old Private Isabella Gonzalez from Texas. They were killed in an attack on a US Base in Jordan on Friday, which also injured many others. Trump addressed the deaths in comments to reporters yesterday.

[Donald Trump]

Well, we feel very badly, but you know those great people, those great patriots were out there fighting that Iran cannot have a nuclear he also wrote on

[Deborah Pardes]

Truth Social every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over. Iran, meanwhile, continues to fire at US Bases in the region and at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the strait would remain unsafe as long as US quote, aggression continued. Iran has also been pressing the Houthis to close the Bab El Mandab Strait if the US Continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure. Yesterday, the Houthis announced they were doing just that. The strait is the gateway to the Red Sea and according to Reuters, a closure there is expected to cut the global oil supply by 7%. Despite the escalations, both sides say they're still open to negotiating. Here's Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

[Marco Rubio]

The United States always remains open to a diplomatic solution. We've tried multiple times with Iran and we'll continue to try. If that, if that door opens, we'll be happy to see it open.

[Deborah Pardes]

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that the Diplomatic track was still open and confirmed they received a proposal from mediators. That proposal is for a 10 day ceasefire meant to save the memorandum of understanding that was signed last month and to pave the way for a lasting agreement to end the war. Nine months after the ceasefire that was supposed to end the war in Gaza, President Trump's peace plan is stuck. Hamas still hasn't disarmed. Israeli strikes are still hitting Gaza on a near daily basis and yesterday Hamas made a leadership choice that could make all of it worse. The terror organization announced that Khalil Al Khayya has been elected head of its political bureau. That makes him the group's first permanent leader since Sinwar was assassinated by Israel Israel in October 2024. In a video statement posted last year, Alchaya called October 7th a miracle that will be remembered as a source of pride for generations. Al Khaya is 65, was born in Gaza and is one of Hamas's veteran operatives. He's been active with the movement since its founding in 1987. Here's how Nadav Eyal and Ronen Bergman described him on Call Me Back right after the failed Israeli attempt to kill him in Qatar last September.

[Nadav Eyal or Ronen Bergman]

Khalil Al Khayy was the man leading the negotiations with Israel in two hostage deals that actually happened. He's also a man who probably knew about October 7th before October 7th. One thing to know about Khalil Al Khayya is that he was the envoy, the special envoy to travel from Gaza to Beirut and try to coordinate a multi front, multi regional attack on Israel.

[Deborah Pardes]

Al Khayya is widely described as close to Iran. Documents captured by the IDF during the Gaza war show just how deep Hamas's financial relationship with Iran runs, including a request from Sinwar himself for roughly 15 million a month in support. Al Haya inherits that relationship. Over the years, Israeli attacks have killed four of his sons, including one in that Qatar strike last September. When US Envoy Steve Witkoff sat down with Al Khayya during ceasefire negotiations, he brought that loss up directly. Here is witkoff in a 60 Minutes interview aired last October, we expressed our

[Steve Witkoff]

condolences to him for the loss of his son. He mentioned it and I told him that I had lost a son and that we were both members of a really bad club. Parents who have buried children.

[Deborah Pardes]

The US plan to rebuild Gaza requires Hamas to disarm first and step back from governing. But Hamas has refused to give up its weapons without a guaranteed political path to Palestinian statehood, and it's rejected any framework that puts disarmament ahead of reconstruction. Okay. Has personally been on record supporting that stance, too. Israeli and American officials say the process is still advancing in what one report called baby steps. But with a leader who's on record rejecting the plan's central premise, we're not likely to see progress anytime soon. For 24 hours, Hungary waited in anticipation of a major announcement. Would the country's next president be the greatest female chess player in history? Yesterday, the ruling TISA party announced that it unanimously backed the nomination of the Jewish Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar. The parliament applauded when Peter Madhyar, the newly elected prime minister, said, we finally have the opportunity to start with a clean slate and not elect a former or current politician. Polgar is one of the most globally respected Hungarian figures. She provided the inspiration for the hit series the Queen's Gambit and was featured in a Netflix documentary this year.

[Podcast Host]

Going blow for blow with the greatest chess player of all time.

[Marco Rubio]

This is a dog fight.

[Judit Polgar]

The game is never finished.

[Deborah Pardes]

The Jewish community in Budapest held its breath when waiting to see what Polgar would say when the prime minister came to knock on her door after leaving the parliament. She comes from a family with relatives living in Israel. Her grandmother survived Auschwitz, and the family has maintained a deep connection with Israel. In an interview with Ynet this last February, she was asked what it means to be Jewish in Hungary since October 7th.

[Judit Polgar]

Well, I'm very proud to be Jewish, but I know that how difficult it is for us. And I'm visiting Israel and I'm very much with you. I have my own way of struggling and pushing back these things. I guess in life we always have to be ready for challenges, and that's what Israeli people, individually, they do right?

[Deborah Pardes]

Polgar overcame enormous challenges to rise in the chess world. She changed the rules of the game, insisting on competing against the best male chess players in the world. She became a chess grandmaster at the age of 15 and was ranked among the world's top 10 chess players. She's the only woman to ever reach that milestone, and she defeated world champions, including Gary Kasparov. The choice to nominate her tells a much bigger story than just the identity of the next president. The role of the president in Hungary is less about running the government and more about shaping the nation's character. In an era where European politics is dominated by identity clashes and growing polarization, Magyar chose to put forward a Jewish icon. Polgar is not associated with the political party, but with excellence and achievements. It is an attempt to inspire and redefine Hungarian patriotism. Following former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 16 year rule. But yesterday afternoon, the Queen of Chess gave Madhyar the answer he didn't want to hear. Thanks, but no thanks. She wrote on Facebook that she considers the nomination a great honor, but that she feels she doesn't have the strength to take on what she called the historic responsibility of uniting a divided nation. Madhya reacted to Polgar's statement with his own. He said, I think I speak for millions of Hungarians when I say that it may be in a different role but will still be counted on you in the future. Polgar was asked about her future plans at the end of her interview with Ynet, which may provide some clues to her priorities.

[Judit Polgar]

The real goal is to stay balanced with myself, so if I'm okay with myself, I can give love, support, inspiration for my family and others and otherwise. I do a lot for promoting chess in education as I strongly believe that games and chess specifically can give such skills for thinking.

[Deborah Pardes]

Perhaps that is also the lesson of a chess match. Not every move is meant to be an immediate victory, and not every sacrifice is a loss. I'm Deborah Pardes and this is Ark News Daily. See you tomorrow.

[Dan Sienor]

Hi, it's Dan Sienor. Israel is heading into one of its most consequential election, and this time the whole world is watching closely. Hot takes and daily noise are pretty much guaranteed to populate your media diet. But as with any election, there's a deeper story about identity, religion, democracy, and what kind of country Israelis want to live in. That's why ARC Media launched Israel Votes, a special initiative across Call Me Back For Heaven's Sake and ARK News Daily. You'll hear from the leading candidates shaping the race, along with analysis and reporting from two of Israel's leading political analysts, ARC Media contributors Nadavael and Amit Segal. Join us for Israel Votes, your front row seat to the election that could define Israel's Future. Go to arkmedia.org votes to watch and listen. See you there.