Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-26 at 11:01

HEADLINES
Hezbollah regroups as Israel holds Lebanon ceasefire
US misreads Trump's Iran policy on Israel
Ultra Orthodox protest paralyzes Bnei Brak traffic

The time is now 11:01 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, Hezbollah regroups as Israel holds fire under Lebanon ceasefire. Under a fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon, the IDF has shifted to a defensive posture as Hezbollah regroups and gathers intelligence. Israeli forces have struck operatives, uncovered tunnels, and officials say they are awaiting political guidance on how to respond to deep underground infrastructure.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israel’s mistake was believing Trump’s Iran policy was about Israel - opinion. The piece argues that while Trump’s Iran deal has flaws, Israel’s sense of betrayal misses a broader truth: American actions are driven by American interests. It notes legitimate questions about what the MoU and negotiations with Iran mean for Tehran’s nuclear program, its ballistic missiles, the fate of highly enriched uranium, and Iran’s continued sponsorship of Hezbollah and Hamas. The author cites a Yediot Ahronot op-ed that questions whether the approach to Iran has been framed as primarily about Israel, rather than wider national security and regional stability.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Counterprotest begins in Bnei Brak after mass traffic disruption from ultra-orthodox draft protest. Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., hundreds of demonstrators are expected to arrive in Bnei Brak to protest what organizers call inequality in the burden of service. The rally plans to disrupt traffic at entry points and includes reserve soldiers, mothers of combat troops, and residents from nearby cities. The main gathering is set at the Coca-Cola Bridge, with a coordinated march toward Bnei Brak, while drivers are told to use the address “Rabbi Kahaneman 120” in Waze and proceed at a slow pace until 4 p.m. A convoy of vehicles also departed from near Prison 10 in Kfar Yona toward the city.

In Uplifting News, Jerusalem Grand Slam 2026 to welcome athletes from 29 countries. The Jerusalem Grand Slam 2026 will bring about 76 athletes from 29 countries to the National Stadium in Givat Ram, Jerusalem, on Thursday, June 25, as the city hosts one of Israel’s leading international athletics competitions. Organized with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Israel Athletics Association, the event features competitors from Europe, North and South America, and Africa, including a program that will showcase a 4x100-meter relay with teams from Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland. Israeli entrants include Blessing Afrifah, Yonatan Kapitolnik, Adva Cohen, Omri Shiff, Romi Tamir, Alina Drotman, and Mercy Afrifah, with many athletes aiming to meet qualification standards and collect ranking points ahead of the European Championships in August.

Also in Uplifting News, US Jewish day school enrollment rising across denominations for 1st time, report shows. A Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools report finds overall enrollment in its network has grown from about 94,008 students in 2021-2022 to roughly 101,041 in 2025-2026, reflecting a 7.5 percent increase. Non-Orthodox schools have grown about 3 percent since 2021, Orthodox schools about 7 percent, and Reform day school enrollment up around 5 percent, marking the first broad growth across denominational lines in decades. The growth is attributed to population increases in some communities, concerns about public school quality in certain areas, and renewed philanthropic investment.

In Uplifting News, Magen David Adom honors Druze paramedic on National Paramedic Day. MDA marked National Paramedic Day by honoring Ghadir Saleh, a 20-year-old Druze paramedic from Maghar who serves on MDA Mobile Intensive Care Units after completing paramedic training as part of her national service. Saleh, who once aspired to be an international violinist and taught violin to at-risk youth, credits a life-changing accident at 16 with steering her toward emergency medicine. Her story highlights the broadened role of paramedics across Israel’s emergency services.

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.ynetnews.com/article/b1mu5w2zme
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900490
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900613
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-900614
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-jewish-day-school-enrollment-rising-across-denominations-for-1st-time-report-shows/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900610