Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-12 at 17:02

HEADLINES
- Rising Lion shifts Israel security to capabilities
- Drone explosion kills 10 Hezbollah commanders
- UAE unlocks billions for Iran amid talks

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13, 2025, signaling a shift in its security doctrine from relying on an enemy’s intentions to preventing capabilities. The piece notes that for years the debate over Iran’s intentions dominated analysis, but the central lesson of Rising Lion is that national security cannot be based on assessing intentions. Intentions can change overnight; leaders and regimes can shift. Capabilities, however, endure. A state possessing thousands of ballistic missiles, a vast drone arsenal, and a military nuclear infrastructure does not become less dangerous simply because one expert or another believes it has no immediate intention of using them. Jewish and Israeli history is cited to illustrate the point, including reference to debates in the 1930s about Nazi Germany and the broader context of the 1960s, to show why capabilities matter more than stated aims.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a drone exploded in northern Israel as Iran said Lebanon must be part of the emerging deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi argued that ending the war in Lebanon requires Israel to withdraw from captured areas, while Israel rejected any unified-front formula and said the IDF will keep acting against Hezbollah threats, with reports indicating the killing of 10 Hezbollah field commanders.

In US Military Role, the piece notes that militarily, the actions were masterpieces of intelligence and kinetic execution; strategically, they have exposed a profound, almost catastrophic misunderstanding of the adversary. A political cartoon circulating in diplomatic circles depicts an elevator labeled the “Lobby of Hell,” with the newest Iranian cleric and a Hezbollah operative side by side, while leaders in Washington and Jerusalem press the elevator buttons, suggesting that the real issue lies in how the adversary is being defined rather than in the actions themselves.

In Regional Impacts, UAE to unlock billions of dollars for Iran, sources say: Two regional sources said the United Arab Emirates agreed to release about $10 billion to Iran, with some reporting as much as $20 billion; a first tranche of around $3 billion has already been delivered. It remains unclear whether the funds belong to the UAE or originate from long-blocked Iranian accounts, and the move comes as broader talks between Tehran and Washington on ending the war proceed, potentially tied to halting Iranian attacks on the UAE.

In Regional Impacts, US-Iran deal to include dismantling of Iranian nuclear program, US official says: The drafted text of the peace deal reportedly envisions dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and allows the United States to retrieve enriched nuclear material from Iran, alongside reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing sanctions. The official said Iran commits to never developing a nuclear weapon, and that the terms were agreed, with Israeli leadership expected to align once the full terms are reviewed; economic rewards are envisioned if Iran delivers.

In Regional Impacts, שר החוץ האיראני עבאס עראקג'י... (Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi) told Iranian television in an interview about the developing agreement with the United States: the best time to end a war is when our hand is on top; we are indeed winning on the battlefield; we have stood firm for 40 days.

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/opinion/article-898846
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1swqy9wzl
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-899084
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-899229
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899228
https://t.me/abualiexpress/124438
https://t.me/JewishNews24/55698