Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-18 at 03:02

HEADLINES
US awards CCA contracts, targets 150 annually
Moscow flights suspended after Ukrainian drone attack
Hezbollah IED kills Israeli soldier at Litani

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

In US Military Role, the United States Air Force has moved from prototype to full-scale manufacturing on its first fleet of semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, awarding production contracts to General Atomics for the FQ Forty-Two and to Anduril Industries for the FQ Forty-Four. The Air Force did not disclose the cost or the size of the order, but the awards come months ahead of schedule, signaling that both aircraft meet mission requirements and are ready for production. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said that moving promptly into manufacturing positions the force to field credible, combat-ready semi-autonomous systems to stay ahead of pacing challenges, with the department aiming to procure over 150 combat-capable CCAs by the end of the decade. Anduril, in a release, said the contract establishes a structure for the Air Force to buy additional lots of production FQ Forty-Four aircraft over the coming years, and noted that the production line is capable of delivering up to 150 aircraft per year.

In Regional Impacts, flights at all major Moscow airports have been temporarily suspended for safety reasons following a Ukrainian drone attack, Russia’s aviation authority Rosaviatsiya said. Authorities reported that 180 Ukrainian drones had been shot down over Moscow, and the situation is described as developing.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli soldiers deployed in southern Lebanon say open-fire restrictions have been narrowed, leaving troops increasingly exposed to Hezbollah attacks as diplomatic pressure grows over the future of the Lebanese front. Field reports indicate that soldiers believe the army has tightened rules, reducing their ability to respond to threats, with one source noting the current open-fire rules are limited to removing threats. Separately, the IDF confirmed that a soldier was killed and several others wounded in southern Lebanon when an improvised explosive device belonging to Hezbollah detonated near their position by the Litani River, around five o’clock on Wednesday. Chief Sergeant First Class (Reserve) Alexander Filin, 29, from Haifa, served in the 36th Division command post and was killed in the blast. Seven others were moderately or lightly wounded, including the 36th Division’s deputy commander, a colonel, and a reserve officer who led the 556th Battalion, plus a combat NCO and three reserve soldiers. In response, the IDF targeted terror infrastructure in the area with artillery, and the military said it is investigating the incident. Haifa’s mayor expressed sorrow over the loss of Filin.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, organizers of the Great Israeli Real Estate Event in London apologized after revelations that the event included offerings in the West Bank, contradicting prior assurances that no such properties would be promoted. A participant from a real estate agency at the event said she had obscured the name of a West Bank city on a poster and had circulated flyers to attendees interested in properties in contested areas of Jerusalem. Ahead of the event, organizers, the hosting synagogue, and the Board of Deputies of British Jews publicly rejected claims that the fair would promote properties outside Israel’s internationally recognized borders, but mounting pressure from British lawmakers and London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, along with protests outside the venue, prompted the apologies and added scrutiny.

In Uplifting News, firefighters rescued 25 people from a burning apartment building in Netanya overnight, with 13 taken to hospital for treatment. Firefighters and rescue teams, including personnel from Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah, brought the conflagration under control after the incident occurred on Macdonald Street around 11:34 p.m., and investigators from the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority are looking into the cause. Of those hospitalized, 10 are in mild condition and three, a mother and her children, are listed in satisfactory condition.

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-899781
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899780
https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-soldiers-in-lebanon-say-new-open-fire-restrictions-leave-them-exposed/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-899773
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-899775
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899777
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hkutuwbgfg