Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-23 at 08:02

HEADLINES
Iran jellyfish drone swarm likely downed F-15
Israel Smuggled Starlink Into Iran Bennett Says
Netanyahu Defends Milchan Friendship in Case 1000

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, a US F-15 pilot who was shot down over Iran in April described observing a coordinated formation of Iranian drones resembling a jellyfish, moving as one during a debriefing after rescue by US Special Forces. The pilot described interconnected drones with smaller drones below larger ones like legs, and some described it as a minefield. It is unclear whether the jet's co-pilot witnessed the drones. The downing is under investigation, and initial assessments suggest the drone formation may have helped Iran shoot down the jet, the first time Iran has downed a US fighter jet.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israel smuggled Starlink systems into Iran, former prime minister Naftali Bennett says. Bennett said he began a process to acquire and smuggle tens of thousands of Starlink receptors to Iran to help anti-government protesters, but the current Israeli government halted the effort. Starlink is not licensed to operate in Iran, though SpaceX has said the service is active there. Bennett said the devices would have enabled protesters to coordinate and, in his view, topple the Iranian government. Netanyahu’s office did not respond to questions on the remarks, and SpaceX was not available for comment.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Netanyahu defends relationship with Milchan during final phase of testimony. Netanyahu returned to court to defend his relationship with Arnon Milchan, arguing it was based on genuine friendship rather than personal benefit. He appeared for continued re-examination by his attorney after the prosecution completed cross-examination. Judges blocked several questions on the grounds that he had already answered them. The case, Case 1000, centers on gifts allegedly received from Milchan and others while Netanyahu acted in Milchan’s interests; the defense maintains the relationship was friendship, not an improper exchange.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, an Australian judge excluded video of nurses threatening Israeli patients from the case, ruling that evidence obtained improperly cannot be admitted. The recording, taken by Israeli content creator Max Veifer, was excluded from the trials, which are set for August, after the nurses argued it breached state laws. The nurses have pleaded not guilty. The only Jewish board member of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Mark Berlin, resigned, saying he could not be associated with an upcoming Nakba exhibit he viewed as one-sided and lacking balance. He argued that telling the Palestinian displacement of 1948 without proper historical and political context deepens distrust and hostility. In Spain, Jewish groups defended journalist Pilar Rahola as prosecutors opened preliminary proceedings following a complaint tied to her pro-Israel views, with activists alleging hate speech and incitement related to statements about Palestinians. In Boston, a principal apologized to Arab, Muslim, and other students who felt unsafe after a mandatory Holocaust lesson, with Jewish groups condemning the approach; the principal said hard conversations are part of the school’s framework, and he pledged efforts to include all histories.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Autobrains launches a robotaxi pilot in Munich with Uber and Nvidia, described as Europe’s first autonomous commercial ride-hailing network pending regulatory approval. Autobrains’ chief executive Igal Raichelgauz said the system uses agentic artificial intelligence that breaks down the reasoning into smaller tasks. The approach draws on defense-sector technologies, including satellite imagery, cameras, and drone connectivity to boost self-driving capabilities. The collaboration combines Autobrains’ software, Uber’s ride-hailing platform, and Nvidia hardware, with aims to conduct sufficient test drives under human supervision to demonstrate safety and reliability.

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-900246
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-900254
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900260
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-900258
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-900253
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-900250
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-900248
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-900069