Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-23 at 20:02

HEADLINES
Senate backs bold nonbinding Iran troop withdrawal
Gaza hostage survivor blasts UN over Hamas
Rail blackout as GSM-R outage disrupts trains

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

In Regional Impacts, Deutsche Bahn reported that all trains were halted at stations due to an outage affecting the Global System for Mobile Communications for Railways, the GSM-R network that connects train drivers with control centers. By early Wednesday, officials said service was being gradually restored after IT experts worked through the disruption. The carrier indicated that some services may remain limited and offered passengers taxi or hotel vouchers and replacement transport where available, while apologizing for the disruption and not releasing a cause for the outage.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, former Gaza hostage Ilana Gritzewsky addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council to condemn what she called the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women for downplaying sexual violence tied to October 7, 2023. She demanded, “Your report speaks about violence against women. Why is there no mention of Hamas?” Gritzewsky described being beaten during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, waking up half naked with seven terrorists nearby, enduring days of pain and captivity, and returning with serious injuries. She said she is living proof of sexual violence by Hamas and accused Reem Alsalem of silence and denial regarding Jewish victims.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the Senate, controlled by Republicans, voted 50-48 to back a concurrent resolution directing President Trump to remove US armed forces from hostilities with Iran, a move that reflects growing concern about the ongoing conflict. The measure had already passed the House earlier this month. While it is expected to be symbolic and not binding under the War Powers Act, it does not reach the White House for signature. The White House has labeled the resolution unconstitutional, and legal experts say questions of its legality would likely be resolved in court. Four Republicans joined all but one Democrat in support, while two Republicans did not vote.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, former New York City comptroller Brad Lander is challenging Rep Dan Goldman in a Democratic primary for New York’s 10th Congressional District, with Lander mounting his campaign around not taking money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Goldman, seen as more openly pro-Israel, faces criticism in a district that spans parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Borough Park and Bay Ridge. Emerson College polling last month suggested Lander held a lead of more than 30 points. The winner is widely viewed as likely to prevail in November in this heavily Democratic district, and both candidates identify as Zionists, with Lander describing himself as a liberal Zionist. Lander previously belonged to the Democratic Socialists of America.

Top election official Noam Sohlberg also warned that any delay of Israel’s vote in extreme emergencies must be limited, justified, transparent and subject to review, emphasizing that such a delay cannot be used to extend a government’s term.

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/international/article-900323
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900317
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-900316
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900320
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1ncb900zfg