HEADLINES
US uses one-way sea drones in strikes
Hezbollah tunnels under Beaufort Castle exposed
Iran escalates Gulf strikes, widens proxy reach

The time is now 11:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, CENTCOM said it used one-way attack sea drones for the first time in a new round of strikes against Iranian targets, a clear illustration of how innovative technology is being tested on the modern maritime battlefield. The campaign has now entered a cycle in which dozens of targets are hit at night and Iran responds, with Qatar seeking to push both sides toward de-escalation. The sequence follows a tanker attack by Iran on July 6 and 7, and the United States has been expanding strikes on Iranian targets over the past week. The emphasis remains on leveraging new drone capabilities at sea as part of the broader effort to confront the Iranian threat.

In Regional Impacts, the Gulf’s patience with Iran is being tested by continued attacks on Gulf states and maritime shipping, potentially pushing regional governments toward limited strikes. The Peninsula Shield Force would likely be the key instrument of any collective action, Bahraini analyst Ahmed Alkhuzaie told The Jerusalem Post, though he cautioned that outright offensive operations are not the default and that limited strikes, heightened maritime patrols, or covert actions cannot be ruled out if provocations continue. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acknowledged attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan, claiming to have targeted US military facilities and assets in those countries. Iran has continued attacks since signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington that is now effectively defunct, escalating its actions in recent days as it seeks to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz, including attacks on vessels transiting via the Omani route and pursuing talks offering favorable terms to those who accept them.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hezbollah’s rock-cut tunnels under Beaufort Castle expose decades of UNIFIL failure and raise questions about Lebanon’s ability to control its territory. The fortress near the border with Israel, a historic objective of past conflicts, is shown to be a Hezbollah stronghold with a tunnel system that includes operating rooms and weapons and runs beneath the ridge the castle sits on, signaling a large-scale engineering project and the strategic use of terrain by Hezbollah.

Iranian officials spent Khamenei funeral week meeting with Hezbollah and Hamas officials, including Muhammad Fneish, a US-sanctioned Hezbollah politician, who met with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on July 4 and with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on July 5. State media and the Foreign Ministry released photos and statements showing reaffirmation of Iran’s commitment to the Axis of Resistance and continued coordination with Hezbollah and Hamas, including discussions tied to Lebanon’s inclusion in broader deals and actions against Israel.

Release on the matter from Yemen’s internationally recognized government was issued, according to the report, reflecting continued attention to the evolving regional alignment and statements from Yemen’s recognized authorities.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the IDF chief’s clash with the government over the haredi draft law centers on security and unity. Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir wrote that an exemption law for haredim would harm recruitment and create serious security risks, arguing the army should not adjudicate who deserves an exemption and warning that such a law would delegitimize the IDF as the nation’s army and provoke anger within the ranks.

Medical schools’ deans warned that a proposed gender segregation bill for higher education poses a direct danger to public health. They argued the law would shape medical training, threaten international recognition of Israel’s institutions, and hinder doctors’ ability to pursue fellowships abroad, calling for a patient-centered approach that treats people equally. The Knesset approved the bill’s second and third readings, with a vote expected later this week.

The High Court of Justice questioned whether to continue hearing a petition challenging tax benefits for donations to yeshivot attended by draft-eligible students who have not regularized their military status, after the state accepted the petitioners’ central argument and began implementing it. Justices indicated they would rule later on whether proceedings should continue, in a case brought by Israel Hofsheet challenging tax credits under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance, arguing the benefits amount to indirect public funding following a prior ruling that the state lacked authority to fund such yeshivas for students required to enlist.

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/defense-and-tech/article-902383
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902368
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902373
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902363
https://t.me/DefenderDome/22144
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902382
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902378
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902376