HEADLINES
- Iran's Qaani warns of new fronts, straits
- Drone strike hits Al-Shati tent camp
- Lebanon talks resume as Hezbollah fights rage

The time is now 4:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran's Quds Force chief Esmaeil Qaani warned the United States and Israel against further military escalation in Gaza and Lebanon, saying that new fronts could open and maritime traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could mirror the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Qaani, appointed in 2020 after the US killed his predecessor Qasem Soleimani, has largely stayed in the background, with analysts noting his role as a steady hand in Iran’s proxy networks. Reports from Iran also note air-defense activity in Shiraz.

In Regional Impacts, Israeli forces are continuing operations across Gaza with a series of targeted attacks. A drone strike hit a tent in the Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, wounding at least 10 people, including one in critical condition; three people were killed in a strike on their tent. Israeli artillery also shelled areas north of the Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza, while the military conducted large-scale demolition east of Khan Younis and blew up infrastructure east of the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City as part of ongoing operations against Hamas and its infrastructure.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, talks between Israel and Lebanon resumed at the US State Department, with US officials saying the aim is to contain fighting in Lebanon and keep it from spilling into negotiations; Hezbollah has continued fighting in violation of an agreement with the United States, and Washington is discussing plans to train Lebanese security forces to counter Hezbollah in Beirut. Separately, footage circulated documenting airstrikes in southern Lebanon captured by security cameras in the village of Qaddiqin. Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon continues, with airstrikes reported at Debaal–Jouaiyyeh junction, Kfar Tebnit, Al-Sharqiyah, Ad-Doueir, Meifdoun, Bafliyeh and other areas, as well as artillery in Al-Smaiyeh, Al-Maaliyeh, Chaaitiyeh, Al-Qulaylah and Yater, and reports of targeted strikes on Haboush Road.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Donald Trump denied claims that talks between the United States and Iran have stalled, saying conversations have been ongoing and urging Iran to strike a deal; Iranian officials had been cited as demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli actions and insisting talks would not resume until their views on Gaza and Lebanon were met, along with threats to block the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. US Ambassador to Israel Hakubi asserted that peace will come when Hezbollah leaves. Separately, Huckabee described a future US-Israel security pact after 2028 that would shift from direct aid to a trade-based partnership, reflecting Netanyahu’s push to reduce Israel’s dependence on American assistance.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the IDF Intelligence Operations chief addressed his division’s role after what he called a failure to warn of war on Oct. 7, emphasizing the duty to remember lessons and the need to fulfill Israel’s first line of defense. Likud’s primaries for its Knesset list are set for no later than July 28, 2026, with discussions ranging from regular primaries to alternative mechanisms that could give Prime Minister Netanyahu broader influence over the list, should elections be moved or new arrangements be introduced.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Israelis who attempted to book a hotel in Germany through Booking faced a blatant anti-Semitic message; following a complaint, the hotel was removed from the platform, and German authorities have opened an investigation into the case.

In Uplifting News, preparations for a planned friendly between Israel and Albania continue as the national team gathers in Shefayim ahead of the match; head coach Ran Ben Shimon may not travel with the squad due to a recent injury, but he says he trusts his staff and emphasizes the team’s focus on the game.

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.

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