Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-04 at 00:02

HEADLINES
Turkey's Somalia spaceport doubles as missile range
Lebanon deal hinges on Hezbollah dismantling
Netanyahu Trump plan meeting amid Iran concerns

The time is now 12:00 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Turkey's new Somalia spaceport doubles as missile range, threatening Israel - report. The facility is being developed in central Somalia near Warsheikh and will combine a satellite launch base for Turkey's space program with a testing site for long-range ballistic missiles, according to a report in La Monde. Officially announced in December 2025 as a technological partnership between Somalia and Turkey, the project represents the latest layer in a decade-long effort to turn Somalia into a forward operating base, with construction beginning in mid-October 2025 about 70 kilometers north of Mogadishu. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed a space cooperation treaty as work started. An investigation by the Middle East Forum in May reportedly found a missile test facility at this location. The system is described as designed to accommodate missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometers, a limit that would place Israel outside of reach, while Somaliland, which is militarily supported by Israel, would fall within the projected range.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Lebanon deal focused on dismantling Hezbollah, not Israeli withdrawal, ambassador Leiter says. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said Israel’s framework agreement with Lebanon depends on conditions on the ground, not on a fixed timetable for withdrawal, and he warned that statements by Israeli politicians could undermine Jerusalem’s standing in Washington. Leiter, who led Israel’s delegation in the negotiations with Lebanon, said Israel would not leave the security zone in southern Lebanon until the Lebanese army controls the entire area south of the Litani River and Hezbollah no longer has an armed presence there. He emphasized that the focus of the agreement is the dismantling of Hezbollah, not Israel’s withdrawal. Leiter also commented on Israel’s internal political debate and the diplomatic fallout from comments by government members, including his remarks about National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after videos showing pro-Palestinian flotilla activists being humiliated.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Netanyahu’s office says he spoke with Trump, agreed to meet soon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump reportedly spoke by phone and agreed to meet in the United States in the near future, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the United States and praised the bilateral bond. The call comes amid tensions over Washington’s ongoing negotiations with Iran, which Israel views with concern. The United States and Iran recently signed a memorandum of understanding to extend a ceasefire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and conduct 60 days of talks on a final nuclear agreement, though Israel was not a party to that deal. Reports also noted broader questions about the potential implications of these talks for regional security.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, IDF working to strengthen ISF as it prepares for possibility of renewed Gaza operations. The IDF’s Southern Command is preparing for a possible conflict to disarm Hamas and remove its tunnels and weapons. In the past 24 hours, dozens of vehicles, some bulletproof, were transferred to Gaza and handed over to American forces from the International Stabilization Force’s headquarters in Kiryat Gat, as part of preparations for the ISF to assume security responsibilities in parts of the Gaza Strip. The IDF has occupied roughly 70 percent of Gaza, while Hamas continues to govern the remaining territory. Diplomatic progress depends on a capable national force in Gaza disarming Hamas and taking control, but reporting indicates that efforts are moving in a different direction in the near term.

In Uplifting News, Jerusalem Film Festival returns with Sundance hits, Cannes winners, and Israeli premieres. The 43rd Jerusalem Film Festival will run July 9–19 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque and the Lev Smadar theater, continuing a tradition of showcasing international cinema in Israel. The festival will host more than 25 international guests, led by Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa, who will be the guest of honor, receive a special tribute at the opening ceremony at Sultan’s Pool on July 9, and serve as president of the jury for the Israeli Competition. Loznitsa is noted for a body of work spanning documentaries and features, including recent selections and premieres at major venues. What to watch this week features a look at All I Had Was Nothingness, Guillaume Ribot’s documentary about Claude Lanzmann’s Shoah, which follows the 12-year effort to bring the film to the screen, using Lanzmann’s audio recordings and journals to illuminate the process. Also featured: a look at the emotional journey of surrogate Amit Yaron, who carried a child for Ron and Yonatan, a same-sex couple, describing how the decision and experience changed their lives.

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/israel-news/defense-news/article-901373
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-901272
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-901271
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901372
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-office-says-he-spoke-with-trump-agreed-to-meet-soon/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901355
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/r1tdfw0gge