Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-25 at 02:02

HEADLINES
Israel strikes kill feared Hantela chief Panjaki
Twin Venezuelan quakes devastate towns 32 dead
Poll shows US too supportive of Israel

The time is now 2:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, a high-profile Iranian hacker group leader was killed in a targeted strike, believed to be Israeli, during the latest confrontation with Iran. Ya'ya Hosseini Panjaki, the commander of the Iranian hacker group "Hant'ela," was killed in what officials describe as a precise operation. A Telegram channel linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence arm publicly confirmed yesterday that Panjaki headed the group. Hant'ela operates mainly against Israelis and has in recent months exposed data from the mobile phones of Israeli officials, including Naftali Bennett, Herzi Halevi, Tzachi Braverman, and others.

In Regional Impacts, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in the last hours, registering magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. Authorities report at least 32 deaths and about 700 injuries, with widespread destruction reported across multiple regions.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a Quinnipiac University poll finds 48% of American voters believe the United States is too supportive of Israel, the highest such figure since the question was first asked in 2017. The poll also shows that 60% of respondents say military intervention in Iran is not worth it, while 34% say it is worth it. About 38% think US support for Israel is about right, and 7% believe the United States is not supportive enough. By party, 66% of Democrats say the US is too supportive of Israel, 20% of Republicans share that view, and independents stand at 55% too supportive. In a separate editorial, writers argue that the US-Israel alliance remains vital and should be strengthened, but Jerusalem cannot outsource its security to Washington; while the partnership is essential, no foreign capital can carry the burden of Israel’s survival, and Israel must coordinate with Washington while maintaining responsibility for its own security.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israeli security forces operating in Judea and Samaria launched a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the Bethlehem area. The operation involved searches of about 50 structures and the arrest of 19 wanted individuals, including arms dealers. Since the beginning of 2026, IDF units have confiscated more than 250 weapons and 40 weapon production machines used to manufacture weapons, firearms, and explosive devices across Judea and Samaria.

In Uplifting News, Bosnia and Herzegovina eliminated Qatar from the World Cup with a 3-1 victory. The result prompted celebratory reactions among supporters of Bosnia and Herzegovina and, for some, a kept tradition of good-natured gloating.

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://t.me/abualiexpress/125340
https://t.me/abualiexpress/125341
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-900450
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900427
https://t.me/ILtoday/19399
https://t.me/abualiexpress/125343