Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-26 at 00:02

HEADLINES
Trump: US struck Iran, negotiating from strength
Anti-Israel candidates win NYC primaries
Queens park shooting spurs antisemitism probe

The time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, President Trump says the United States knocked the hell out of Iran and is negotiating from a position of pure strength. He says they know that.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, six Hezbollah terrorists who posed a threat to IDF soldiers operating in the Security Zone were eliminated. In Zawtar al-Sharqiya, IDF troops identified five Hezbollah terrorists who posed a threat to them, and in an additional incident at the Ali al-Taher Ridge, an armed Hezbollah terrorist was identified. The terrorists were eliminated to remove the threat.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, an editorial notes that New York City's primary results bode ill for US-Israel relations. Three candidates with bona fide animosity toward Israel, backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, won their primaries: Brad Lander defeated Dan Goldman in a Lower Manhattan district; Claire Valdez beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in an open seat being vacated by retiring Representative Nydia Velazquez; and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term Representative Adriano Espaillat. Valdez has stated she will stand up to genocide and apartheid, and Chevalier has condemned Israel as an apartheid state. Lander, who is Jewish and describes himself as a liberal Zionist, is a central figure in the race.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Gadi Eisenkot is rising in polls as a leading opposition figure, with his Yashar party emerging as the largest in the opposition for the first time this week. His background includes losses in Gaza that have shaped his stance, and his measured approach has drawn attention as debates over leadership, conscription, and political identity intensify ahead of elections. A Maariv poll put Yashar level with Likud at 21% apiece, the first time any opposition party has caught Netanyahu in this Knesset. Eisenkot’s patience and personal history are seen as potential assets or vulnerabilities in a competitive race. Ambassador Danon says those who believe they can silence Israel are mistaken; truth will always prevail.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, the family of a 75-year-old Orthodox Jewish man who was found fatally shot in a Queens park is urging investigators to examine whether the killing was motivated by antisemitism, while police say no motive has been established. Albert Itzkowitz was found dead near Kissena Lake in May with multiple gunshot wounds. The city medical examiner has ruled the death a homicide.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israeli-founded mobile adtech leader AppsFlyer has secured a major funding round exceeding $1 billion, backed by Google, Meta, Unity, and Moloco. The investment values the company at approximately $2.7 billion and positions it to capitalize on AI-driven advertising, privacy-compliant measurement, and independent attribution tools. CEO Oren Kaniel described the round as a strategic boost for innovation in the evolving digital advertising landscape.

In Uplifting News, Israeli researchers have developed an AI-powered system that can detect anemia using a 10-second video scan of blood flow in the eye — without the need for a blood draw. The non-invasive technology analyzes tiny blood vessels in the eye's conjunctiva and achieved more than 82% accuracy in initial studies, with larger clinical trials now underway before it can be integrated into medical practice. The United States Mint is releasing 250,000 limited-edition Semiquincentennial quarters featuring a special "July 4" privy mark to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. These coins will be randomly mixed into regular circulation nationwide and show Thomas Jefferson on the obverse with "JULY 4th" and dual dates 1776-2026, paired with a Liberty Bell reverse. Taiwan's first Jewish cemetery has opened with the burial of a 73-year-old Israeli man, marking the island's first dedicated Jewish cemetery in its history. The man had lived in Taiwan, and relatives traveled from Israel and other countries for the ceremony, as Jews previously were buried abroad.

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/JewishNews24/56319
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56320
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900581
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900580
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56314
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56316
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56313
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56322
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56323
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56310