Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-18 at 06:01

HEADLINES
Hamas Planned Deception for Israel Attack
Sa'ar Breaks Ties With Kallas
Netanya Fire Rescues 25 People

The time is now 6:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, new secret Hamas internal documents have been provided by the IDF Intelligence Directorate to the Meir Amit Terrorism and Intelligence Research Institute and released exclusively to The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. The Amit center’s analysis centers on six documents viewed by the Post, with three highlighted here, outlining Hamas’s progression from 2022 to 2023 in efforts to deceive Israeli security forces and catch the IDF off guard during the October 7, 2023 massacre. The first document, dated September 13, 2022, is titled Building a Strategic Deception Plan Which Will Be the Basis for a Surprise Attack by Hamas on Israel. Section 5 of this document discusses forming a multi-disciplinary strategic deception plan across diplomatic, military, economic, and public relations channels, including considerations around an exchange issue and hostages as negotiations unfolded at the time.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced he is severing all ties with EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas following remarks that compared Israel to the racist South African apartheid regime during her trip to Mexico. Sa’ar stated that Kallas has for some time acted with Obvious unfairness toward the State of Israel and said he would cut contact until she retracts the “blood libel” he says she directed at Israel. He also praised European officials who condemned her remarks. Separately, Histadrut HaMaof, a branch of Israel’s national labor federation, warned that the government’s reported move to stop funding municipal LGBTQ+ coordinators could lead to layoffs and reduced services for vulnerable communities. The union urged the government to halt the plan and to hold talks with workers’ representatives before any funding is cut, noting that many social services are delivered through local authorities and that LGBTQ+ coordinators support programs, connect residents with services, and advise municipalities on matters affecting LGBTQ+ residents.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, OutFront Kalamazoo, the LGBTQ organization that organized the Kalamazoo Pride festival, announced that the Israeli flag was labeled a “harmful” symbol after two volunteers wearing outfits in support of Israel drew mixed reactions. One volunteer wore a dress featuring the Star of David, and the other wore a hat decorated with the Israeli flag. The organization said it had heard from many community members who were hurt, distressed, or angered by the presence of Israeli flags at the event, and described the symbols as carrying deeper trauma for communities affected by Israel’s actions, a point underscoring a broader debate over antisemitism and free expression within LGBTQ+ spaces.

In Uplifting News, firefighters rescued 25 people from a burning apartment building in Netanya overnight, with 13 taken to hospital for treatment. Of those hospitalized, 10 were listed in mild condition and three, a mother and her children, were in satisfactory condition. The blaze on Macdonald Street was reported just after 11:30 p.m. local time, and firefighters, along with emergency responders from Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah, brought the situation under control and conducted a thorough search to ensure everyone was safe. The cause of the fire is now under investigation by the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority.

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/article-899814
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-899817
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-899794
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-899803
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-899777