HEADLINES
Iran escalation shakes Gulf as US strikes
Israel strikes south Lebanon Hezbollah drone intercepted
Slovenia bars Israeli flight bound for Ljubljana

The time is now 8:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran's escalation against Gulf states raises concerns it feels safe attacking neighbors. Iran has engaged in an escalating series of what should be seen as tit-for-tat attacks in the region. The latest attacks in Kuwait have raised concerns that Iran feels it can attack wherever it wants. Iran says these actions are retaliation for US military attacks. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet was targeted in a missile and drone operation carried out by the IRGC Aerospace Force, described as conducted in response to a series of US attacks. The US later struck an Iranian oil tanker to prevent the ship from moving through the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, the IRGC said its naval forces launched missiles at a vessel identified as MSC Panaya, described as affiliated with US and Israeli interests. There were further attacks; the US struck a communications tower on Iran’s Qeshm Island. In response, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against a US air and helicopter base located in a regional country, as well as the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet.

British Airways extends flight cancellations to Israel through the end of October. British Airways announced it is extending the suspension of flights to most Middle East destinations through October 25, 2026. Affected destinations include Tel Aviv, Dubai, Bahrain, and Amman. The airline cited regional security uncertainty and difficulty reaching a stable arrangement with Iran as the reason for continuing the freeze on routes, even during the peak travel period. BA plans to resume flights to Gulf destinations Doha, Qatar, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in August. Qatar Airways holds a 25% stake in BA’s parent company, International Airlines Group. BA is not alone in retreating from the region; Delta Air Lines has said it will not resume the New York–Tel Aviv route before September 6, with the Atlanta–Tel Aviv corridor suspended through December 18 and the launch of the Boston–Tel Aviv route postponed with no new date. American Airlines has also paused some regional routes.

Slovenia bars Israeli passenger jet from landing in capital city. Slovenian air authorities prevented an Israeli commercial flight bound for Ljubljana from landing, forcing the Israir plane to divert to Zagreb. Israir’s chief executive Uri Sirkis said the decision was politically motivated and a violation of EU air agreements. Israeli officials said the Foreign Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority were involved in efforts to resolve the matter, but the flight was not cleared to proceed to Ljubljana. Slovenia’s leadership has moved toward a pro-Israel stance in recent times, with heightened government actions affecting Israeli aviation access to the country.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel strikes near Beirut, intercepts 'hostile aircraft'. Beiruts/Jerusalem reports say Israeli drone strikes killed at least six people in southern Lebanon and targeted a car just south of Beirut, while Israel said it intercepted a hostile aircraft likely fired by Hezbollah. The hostilities have continued despite a US-mediated agreement announced earlier that led Israel to step back from attacking the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, and for Hezbollah to halt cross-border strikes. The Israeli military said the hostile aircraft crossed into northern Israel from Lebanon and that it was most likely a drone launched by Hezbollah. Hezbollah did not claim responsibility. Lebanese security sources reported Israeli drones struck at least 10 vehicles across south Lebanon, including a raid on the road near Tyre that killed six people, and another strike on a main coastal highway near Khalde that wounded two. There was no immediate response from the Israeli military.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Trump: 'I started Iran war, would be no Israel without me'. President Donald Trump asserted that he started the Iran war and that there would be no Israel without him. In an interview on Pod Force One, released on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged using harsh language, saying he called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “fing crazy” during a call. He said he was not angry, just perturbed by Netanyahu’s ongoing disputes with Lebanon. Trump described himself as a wartime president and Netanyahu as a wartime prime minister. He rejected the idea that Netanyahu tricked him into joining the conflict and insisted, “I’m the one that started it,” adding that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is central to Israel’s security. He suggested he would like to meet Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei but could not confirm his status, and he claimed, “If there wasn’t me, there would be no Israel.”

In Israeli Domestic Politics, MK Amsalem says Mizrahim still blocked from centers of power, should hold senior positions in Likud. Ministerial official Dudi Amsalem argued that Mizrahi Israelis remain underrepresented in elite power centers, citing the absence of Moroccan judges on the Supreme Court, the lack of a Sephardi state attorney since Israel’s founding, and limited Mizrahi representation in senior academic roles, particularly in law faculties. He said, “When I see numbers that do not make sense, I understand that someone is arranging the numbers,” and noted that while Mizrahis succeed in business, representation at the top levels remains insufficient.

IDF chief during Second Lebanon War urges current commanders to challenge gov't Lebanon policy. Lieutenant-General (ret.) Dan Halutz called on Israel’s senior military leadership to challenge the political echelon and argue that the Lebanon policy has become useless. He said Israeli soldiers faced danger without a clearly defined objective and argued that the Beaufort Ridge capture was meaningless without a grand strategy. He credited former prime minister Menachem Begin’s symbols but warned that current policy needed a different approach, suggesting the top commanders should speak up even if that challenges Netanyahu’s political circle.

Knesset state comptroller vote restarts after MKs accuse coalition of breaching secret vote. The Knesset began a secret-ballot vote to choose the next state comptroller, with retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron seen as the opposition’s candidate and Netanyahu’s attorney Michael Rabilo as the other option. The initial vote produced 60 in favor of Elron and 57 for Rabilo, short of the 61 required, prompting a revote. The revote was halted mid-process after opposition members argued that coalition lawmakers were attempting to document their votes, which would breach ballot secrecy. Netanyahu’s Likud reportedly urged its lawmakers to document votes for Rabilo, a move criticized as a violation of the secrecy rule. Netanyahu attended to cast his vote, with support for Rabilo coming from some haredi parties, despite tensions with the prime minister.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israir flight diverts to Croatia after being refused landing permission in Slovenia. Israir’s flight bound for Ljubljana was redirected to Zagreb after Slovenian authorities denied landing clearance, a move the company said violated aviation agreements and EU law. Israeli authorities, including the Foreign Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority, were involved in attempts to resolve the situation, but Ljubljana did not clear the flight to land. The incident comes amid broader political shifts in Slovenia, where a pro-Israel government and the recent recognition of a Palestinian state frame the context for Israeli aviation access.

In Uplifting News, New Mossad chief reunites with Hatzalah medics who saved his life during October 7 at inauguration. At his official inauguration, Mossad Director Roman Gofman reunited with United Hatzalah medics who saved his life during the October 7 attack, describing the moment as a full-circle moment and expressing gratitude for the lifesaving help that enabled him to lead Israel’s intelligence service.

New Mossad chief honors medics who saved him on October 7. In a further note at the event, the new Mossad chief paid tribute to the medics whose actions saved his life during the Hamas attack, recognizing their courage and service.

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://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-898232
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/all-news/article-898198
https://worldisraelnews.com/slovenia-bars-israeli-passenger-jet-from-landing-in-capital-city/
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/israel-strikes-near-beirut-intercepts-hostile-aircraft
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-898221