Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-04 at 12:01

HEADLINES
Erdogan unveils Turkey Pakistan pact
Ayalon calls US Iran deal surrender
Edelstein quits Likud to form rival party

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

In Regional Impacts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a Saturday meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul that the current Israeli government must not be allowed to spread the smell of gunpowder and blood in our region again. He noted that with the Islamabad Agreement between Washington and Tehran, the world breathed a sigh of relief, and he warned that any solution that does not rely on the countries of the region will not be sustainable, and no lasting solution can occur without the will and contribution of regional partners. Erdogan also announced a new cooperation plan with Turkey in energy, transport, critical minerals, information technology and defense sectors, while pursuing a bilateral trade target of five billion dollars. Earlier in Istanbul, officials from both countries attended a business forum, and Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Turkish firms want to contribute to Pakistan’s electricity sector transformation and share Turkey’s energy-sector expertise. Erdogan, speaking alongside Pakistan’s prime minister, also described Israel as war-addicted and said it must not dynamite the US-Iran deal, stressing that lasting peace must be backed by regional countries. Separately, a MarineTraffic review of Strait of Hormuz traffic in the past 24 hours showed only one merchant vessel completed its transit using the US-supported traffic separation scheme through the southern corridor in Omani waters, while the majority used the northern Iranian scheme; two groups initially tried the southern route, with one reversing and the other abandoning the Omani corridor to enter the Iranian scheme.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, former Israeli deputy foreign minister and ambassador to the United States Danny Ayalon called the current deal between the United States and Iran a “massive surrender” to Iran, arguing that Iranians are setting the tone as the United States releases funds to Tehran and does not respond to provocations on Iranian soil. He also linked the dynamic to broader tensions surrounding President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, suggesting that personal interests have at times merged with national policy. Separately, a reflection piece titled My wife is American. I’m Israeli. and somehow, our marriage explains the US–Israel alliance better than any speech could describes the US–Israel bond as built on loyalty, trust and shared values, noting that the alliance endures not because of perfection but because partners stand together when it counts.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Likud deputy Yuli Edelstein announced he is leaving Likud in a Friday press conference, saying the sentence is very difficult and acknowledging the surprise of friends. He is expected to pursue a new right-wing party alongside figures such as Gilad Erdan and Ayelet Shaked, with a formal launch anticipated after Tisha B’Av. Edelstein’s rift with Likud deepened over the haredi enlistment bill, and as chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee he refused to move the bill forward as part of the coalition’s deal with haredi parties. In a separate development, reports indicate the Shin Bet is poised to assist police in addressing a surge of crime in Israel’s Arab communities, with funding expected around 1 to 1.3 billion shekels. Shin Bet chief David Zini is said to be more open to using internal security tools, including a proposed new division within Shin Bet that would employ more intrusive methods than are available to police, raising questions about the balance between security powers and civil liberties.

In Uplifting News, Adam Sandler officiated Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s top-secret wedding, with Austin Swift serving as man of honor and Jason Kelce as best man, according to Swift’s publicist. Separately, the 250th July 4th flyovers have begun in New York, with a B-29 and a P-51 Mustang spotted over Liberty State Park as part of the commemorations. Messages of celebration followed with well-wishes for the 250th Independence Day. A maritime-themed morning note from a conference at sea described waking at 2:00 a.m. with gratitude for family and fellow participants, followed by a morning workout and reflections on current events. A closing message from Amir urged gratitude for heritage while highlighting the belief that, apart from the Lord, no nation has a guaranteed future, citing Psalm 33:12.

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.

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