HEADLINES
Britain designates IRGC terror group Iran protests
US halts Ben-Gurion refueling flights at risk
Rome talks push Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah disarmament

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Tehran's Foreign Ministry condemned Britain's decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terror group and security threat, calling the move unjustified and irresponsible. The ministry said the IRGC is an official part of Iran's armed forces and accused Britain of violating international law by targeting a state institution. Britain on Monday banned support for the IRGC and a linked group under new powers aimed at preventing foreign states from using proxies for activities such as surveillance and sabotage. Iran, which is at war with the United States and Israel, has previously denied using proxies. The move drew reactions from British lawmakers, including anti-Zionist MP Zarah Sultana and veteran critic George Galloway, who argued the decision infringes on free speech and questioned its justification.

In US Military Role, the United States has frozen evacuation of its refueling aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport, putting as many as 50,000 July flight tickets at risk. The Israeli Airports Authority warned of immediate operational consequences as the delay constrains capacity at the airport. Israeli officials said no additional US refueling aircraft would be permitted to land, and air traffic control had been instructed to withhold approval for further refuelers. Four US refuelers had recently landed from Gulf states, but overall activity at Ben-Gurion remains limited, with officials stressing that citizens must be protected and the Defense Ministry must find solutions. Reports also emerged of targeted US strikes in Bushehr, southern Iran.

In Regional Impacts, Israel has extended the ban on flights to Dubai through the end of October as many international airlines continue to suspend or reduce service to the United Arab Emirates due to the security situation in the Middle East. Israeli airlines cannot operate direct flights to Dubai, while carriers such as FlyDubai and Etihad still operate routes but advise passengers to check status as changes and congestion can cause delays. Other international carriers have extended suspensions to the UAE, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has advised airlines to avoid flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon until the end of August, with no current recommendation to avoid the UAE itself.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel and Lebanon resumed talks in Rome under US mediation, with Beirut seeking progress toward an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon under a US-brokered framework signed in June. The plan envisions the Israeli withdrawal from two defined areas, Lebanese Army deployment, and the dismantling of Hezbollah infrastructure to prevent a reemergence of a military presence, though practical timelines remain unclear and expectations are modest. An American official said an Israeli withdrawal could begin within days, but no date or map has been provided. Iran’s wider involvement remains a factor as the Houthis and regional dynamics continue to influence the conflict, including a recent Iranian Mahan Air flight that drew international attention when it landed in Hodeidah after an attack on Sana’a; authorities say related Iranian aviation activity has included other flights and tracking-system interceptions as investigations proceed. Separately, renewed talks in Rome focus on implementing the framework from June 26, with discussions centering on the pilot zones in southern Lebanon, the potential Israeli withdrawal, and Hezbollah’s disarmament, though officials caution that progress may be gradual and uncertain.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government is expected to discuss diverting 568 million shekels from the five-year plan for developing Israel’s Arab society to fund Shin Bet and other enforcement bodies addressing organized crime. The Mossawa Center for the Rights of Arab Citizens has urged Prime Minister Netanyahu and the attorney-general to block the move, warning of possible legal action if approved. Beyond the immediate budgetary issue, the proposal signals a shift in priorities from economic development and gap-reduction programs toward enhanced enforcement and intelligence work, funded by reallocating resources from the 2021 decision to reduce disparities in Arab society. The plan covers areas such as employment, vocational training, education, transportation, infrastructure, and industry, and its fate will set a tone for broader policy direction.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the Church of England voted to engage with a controversial document titled Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide, authored by Kairos Palestine. The document characterizes Israel’s war against Hamas following the Oct. 7 massacres as genocide and labels the State of Israel a colonial enterprise built on racism, prompting debate over how the Church should frame its response to the current crisis.

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-902468
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902450
https://telegram.me/newssil/206594
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902461
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902467
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-902466
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902460
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902449
https://telegram.me/ILtoday/19555