Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-06-29 at 02:01

HEADLINES
Iran-Israel cyberwar surges to 4,800 attacks
Israel-Syria clash as Hezbollah funerals unfold
US-Iran pause sparks Doha talks on Hormuz

The time is now 2:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iranian cyberattacks against Israel have surged since the US-Israeli offensive began this year. Yossi Karadi, director general of Israel's National Cyber Directorate, told Die Welt that Israel logged about 1,600 hostile cyber incidents in June 2025, and roughly 4,800 in June 2026. The attacks have targeted systems used by Israel's critical infrastructure, central organizations, small and medium-sized companies, and the public, with law practices and accounting firms among the smaller targets. Karadi warned that some groups are very skilled, and while Israel can respond, there is no ceasefire in cyberspace; so far Israel has managed to fend off attacks on critical infrastructure.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Israeli forces in southern Syria came under fire late Sunday night, marking a second confrontation in as many days. The IDF said troops returned fire, launched mortars, and a helicopter struck an open area, reporting no injuries. The previous day, the military said it killed two armed men approaching from near the Druze town of Hader inside the Israeli-held buffer zone near the border, with identities and affiliations under investigation. Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the incidents. In southern Lebanon, mass funeral ceremonies were held for Hezbollah members killed in recent fighting with Israel, with dozens of flag-draped coffins carried through local villages. Al-Dweir showed large crowds, while Yater saw 27 yellow coffins as mourners gathered.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, the United States and Iran have agreed to halt attacks for now and resume negotiations in Doha after a weekend of clashes near the Strait of Hormuz. A US official said the sides agreed to pause further strikes for the moment, allowing vessels to move freely, with talks originally focused on the broader memorandum now expected to center on the Hormuz dispute. The talks were moved to Qatar to address the latest flare-up, and representatives are expected to discuss the technical implementation of the memorandum and broader arrangements along Hormuz.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, California State Senator Scott Wiener said he was harassed at the San Francisco Trans March, with protesters directing antisemitic statements about his Israeli stance and his supporters. Wiener said the harassment became dangerous and he could not safely remain at the event, while San Francisco Mayor London Breed condemned the language as targeted, hateful, and antisemitic. In Romania, President Isaac Herzog warned of an alarming surge of antisemitism at a ceremony marking the Iași pogrom’s 85th anniversary, linking past antisemitic violence to present-day threats. The ceremony took place at the Iași Jewish cemetery and included a reburial for newly identified victims, underscoring the enduring memory of the massacre carried out by Nazi-aligned Romanian authorities.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the government approved a NIS 360 million five-year plan to transform Eilat and the Eilot region into a southern economic and tourism hub. The plan involves about 20 government ministries and aims to strengthen Eilat as a southern gateway, a strategic economic and tourism center, with reinforced healthcare, expanded public services, new growth engines, and upgraded transport and tourism infrastructure, including Ramon Airport. Education, emergency preparedness, and other service areas will also receive upgrades, with Netanyahu expressing optimism and Eilat’s mayor welcoming the initiative.

In Uplifting News, the government-approved initiative to expand Jewish education in the diaspora is a shared responsibility. A NIS 200 million national program, developed with The Jewish Federations of North America, will focus on expanding access to Jewish education and strengthening identity, particularly in North America where about 1.8 million Jewish school-age children live. The plan seeks higher enrollment, deeper connection to Jewish people and the State of Israel, and to address barriers such as tuition costs, geographic accessibility, services for learning disabilities, and educational excellence, with digital tools and new frameworks as part of the effort. Gary Torgow, chair of JFNA’s Board, is among the leaders described as guiding this initiative.

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/article-900764
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/06/iran-cyberattacks-israel-surged-2026-israeli-cyber-chief-says
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-troops-in-southern-syria-fired-upon-retaliated-with-helicopter-strike/
https://t.me/selena_updates/66366
https://worldisraelnews.com/us-iran-agree-to-halt-fighting-restart-negotiations-in-qatar/
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-900758
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900757
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900759
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-900748