Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-11 at 15:02

HEADLINES
- IDF advances toward Zaharani River, Hezbollah alarmed
- Historic UAE Iran talks reset regional ties
- Israel Mahash overhaul faces High Court challenge

The time is now 3:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, the US Central Command says that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for transit even though this is not true.

In Regional Impacts, senior security officials from the United Arab Emirates and Iran met face-to-face for the first time since the start of the Iran war, Bloomberg reported, citing sources with knowledge of the situation. The UAE agreed to meet after realizing the regime, which it still considers an enemy, will not be dislodged from power, according to the sources. Additionally, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the slow pace of negotiations between Iran and the US since the ceasefire began further convinced the UAE to reopen relations. One source told Bloomberg that Iran had been attempting to reestablish high-level talks with the UAE, but that the UAE held off to first ensure that any delegation had a direct line to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Khamenei’s status has been unclear since the start of the war, with many speculating that he had been injured or incapacitated during the first wave of attacks. The UAE coordinated with both the US and Israel to conduct dozens of airstrikes against Iran over the course of Operation Roaring Lion, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Iran targeted the UAE with over 2,800 missiles and drones, more than were...

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF has advanced past the Litani River in Lebanon and is now approaching the Zaharani River. With the Zaharani River only six kilometers away, and Nabatieh only three kilometers away, Hezbollah has become concerned about a new IDF advance and has reinforced those areas. Some defense officials believe that completely disarming Hezbollah is unrealistic, but that if Hezbollah could be cleared out of Lebanon not only to the Litani River, but all the way up to the Zaharani River, the volume of threats that the Lebanese terror group would be able to fire so as to reach Israel's northern border villages would shrink dramatically. In order to make its recent advances, the IDF said that it carried out tricky maneuvers, fooling Hezbollah's many video cameras, such that the Lebanese terror group expected the IDF to cross the Litani River into the Wadi Saluki and other areas from one direction, and instead the IDF came from another direction. IDF forces have found a large number of Iranian-level sophisticated tunnels and larger and more dangerous anti-tank weapons in these areas. While the IDF has pushed Hezbollah back to reduce its FPV drone threat, the military ...

In Israeli Domestic Politics, petitions were filed with the High Court of Justice on Thursday against the newly passed law restructuring the Justice Ministry’s Police Investigation Department, known by its Hebrew acronym Mahash, in a case that goes to the heart of who oversees the police – and how independent that oversight will be. Mahash is the body responsible for investigating suspected criminal offenses by police officers, including cases involving alleged police violence, corruption, abuse of authority, and unlawful use of force at protests. In certain cases, it also investigates suspected offenses by Shin Bet personnel. For that reason, the fight over the new law is not only about where Mahash sits on an organizational chart. Opponents argue that the law could affect the public’s ability to trust that complaints against police officers are handled professionally, equally, and without political pressure – particularly in sensitive cases involving demonstrations, elected officials, or law-enforcement officials themselves. The Knesset passed the amendment to the Police Ordinance late Wednesday night, removing Mahash from the State Attorney’s Office and turning it into a separate body.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the government approved on Thursday approximately NIS 4 billion to develop communities in northern Israel, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the country would restore security to the area, which has been under ongoing threat from Hezbollah. The decision comes as local northern authority leaders have sharply criticized the government for failing to provide adequate support and aid to residents amid the ongoing security threat. Netanyahu announced the plan’s approval at the government meeting that was held in the northern city of Nof HaGalil. During his remarks, he said that Israel was “striking Hezbollah, eliminating hundreds of terrorists every week.” Netanyahu noted that there were still additional challenges the country was dealing with, including drones. The plan will focus primarily on the cities of Safed, Acre, Nof HaGalil, Nazareth, Afula, Tiberias, and Karmiel, spanning 2026-2030, with the stated goal of providing residents of the Galilee with a...

In Israeli Domestic Politics, new Slovenian leadership reversed restrictions and the arms embargo, with Slovenia cancelling all measures against Israel, while the Czech Republic’s foreign minister said Prague will stop EU sanctions on Israeli ministers, paving the way for expanded cooperation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, at the last moment the government did not approve a budget of one billion shekels to establish new settlements in the West Bank. It was decided the approval would be referred to the Cabinet, whose decisions can remain confidential. (עמיחי שטיין)

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, a Toronto Police Service officer was shot and killed Thursday morning while executing a search warrant related to a US consulate shooting that has been tied to an Iranian proxy group. Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto died at Sunnybrook Hospital despite the efforts of medical services. One suspect related to the death of the 18-year TPS veteran was in hospital, but an outstanding suspect, 19-year-old Zara Jabbi, remained at large. Police Chief Myron Demkiw said Jabbi should be considered armed and dangerous, but would not detail whether Jabbi was the person who fatally shot Pinizzotto. TPS did not confirm the warrant’s specifics, but Demkiw said investigators were examining a number of shootings, including one against the US consulate. TPS confirmed that this was the March 10 shooting, with the warrant one of several executed that morning and part of raids related to synagogue shootings being investigated in the Greater Toronto Area.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Slovenia’s government has revoked a 2025 decision banning the export and transit of weapons and military equipment to Israel, as well as most arms imports from the country, saying the ban is no longer necessary because arms trade is already governed by national law and EU rules. The Defense Ministry said existing legislation and regulations define licensing procedures and controls, and Thursday’s decision aligns with the EU Common Position on arms export controls. The previous measure barred exports, transit of military goods to Israel, and imports from Israel, with exemptions for equipment needed for Slovenia’s security. The measure was introduced under then-Prime Minister Robert Golob, who said Slovenia was the first EU country to impose such an embargo. In June, Slovenia’s parliament approved Prime Minister Janez Janša’s center-right government, ending a political deadlock since a March election produced no outright majority.

In Israeli Economy and Business, a new chont shop opened in Elad at Ibn Gavriol 20, offering a rich, hot and indulgent chont with a bun and a drink for 45 shekels, in a setting described as spacious with a distinctive vibe.

In Uplifting News, Israeli leaders on Thursday welcomed members of the Bnei Menashe community who recently immigrated from northeastern India, as the government reaffirmed plans to facilitate the immigration of thousands more over the coming years. Netanyahu said the government intends to continue the immigration effort and described the Bnei Menashe as an integral part of the Jewish people, welcoming the new immigrants and expressing support for their successful integration into life in Israel.

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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