Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-01 at 14:02

HEADLINES
Three terrorists killed in Gaza UAV strikes
Harris Reaches Pro-Palestinian Allies for 2028 Bid
Israel Approves Armenian Genocide Recognition

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

In Regional Impacts, three terrorists were eliminated today in two targeted Israeli UAV strikes in Gaza City, northern Gaza.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former US vice president Kamala Harris held a private call with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last week and has been holding closed-door meetings with prominent progressive figures, including pro-Palestinian activists, according to an Axios report. The call focused on the future of the Democratic Party and plans for further conversations. Harris has exchanged text messages with Mamdani over the past months, and the call followed three Mamdani-backed candidates winning New York City primary races. The report says the outreach may be an effort to repair and strengthen ties with left-wing members of her party to lay the groundwork for a 2028 presidential run. Harris and her team appear to be pushing to reconnect with members of the pro-Palestinian Uncommitted National Movement.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the Board of Peace said UNRWA has no place in Gaza's future, stating that the people of Gaza deserve better and that the page should be turned on perpetual aid dependency. Earlier, Israel launched a pilot program relocating the security screening of Gaza residents returning to the Strip from Egypt via the Rafah Crossing to the Kerem Shalom Crossing, with screening conducted by the Land Crossings Authority within Israel's Defense Ministry; the changes will streamline operations, and Rafah Crossing operations remain unchanged. The IDF and Shin Bet jointly killed a Hamas platoon commander in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Adel Jihad Mohammad Asfour, who led sniper and explosive attacks against IDF soldiers. Prosecutors say Osher Peretz, a 22-year-old Dimona resident, constructed a 25-centimeter-long explosive device found beneath a bush near an Ashkelon playground and hid it; fingerprints and location data linked him to the device, though he denies building or hiding it. Israel's government unanimously approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's proposal to recognize the Armenian Genocide, with discussions noting questions about why the move is pursued now and considering moral and strategic factors. The Judicial Selection Committee selected 26 judges and senior registrars on Wednesday, adding to 68 chosen earlier in the week after a lengthy delay; in total 290 judges and senior registrars have been selected during the current term, a move described as a significant shift by Supreme Court President Isaac Amit and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who called it a "revolution" in judicial appointments.

In Uplifting News, the entertainment and sports worlds are set for a Friday wedding when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wed in New York City at Madison Square Garden, with a rehearsal dinner for about 100 guests at the Infosys Theater inside MSG on Thursday night and more than 1,000 guests expected for the ceremony and reception; the ceremony is planned for 5:30 p.m. on the arena floor, followed by a reception from 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., and guests are required to sign non-disclosure agreements as deliveries arrive to transform MSG into a garden-themed venue. A new bullet-resistant Magen David Adom ambulance was dedicated in Eli in memory of two fallen IDF reservists and MDA volunteers, Nitai Meizels and Amishar Ben-David, with participation from MDA, Friends of MDA in Israel, the Binyamin Regional Council, and local families; the ambulance was funded through a crowdfunding campaign and donated in memory of the two men. A boy who had drifted in the sea off Palmachim Beach was found in critical condition by a rescue diver among the rocks; CPR was performed and he was transported to Wolfson Medical Center in Holon.

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/selena_updates/66497
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-901115
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-901142
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-901136
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901134
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901123
https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-901141
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901138
https://t.me/newssil/205709