Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-06 at 08:02

HEADLINES
UN Warns RSF Red Alert at al-Obeid
West Bank Tensions Surge as IDF Responds
Hamas Cedes Gaza Authority to National Committee

The time is now 8:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the UN Human Rights Council approved a motion condemning the escalating violence by the RSF in Sudan’s al-Obeid and ordered an urgent inquiry into abuses there. Britain, leading with 14 other states, warned of the risk of large-scale atrocities as the RSF massed around one of Sudan’s largest cities, a siege that recalls last year’s events in al-Fashir. Britain’s Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders told the body, “These horrors must not be repeated.” Support for the motion came from other states, including South Africa, which described the situation as a red alert given the RSF’s actions. The UN human rights chief warned that a catastrophe was unfolding around al-Obeid and said his office has documented patterns of summary executions, abductions, torture and sexual violence in the surrounding region. The RSF has denied such abuses and has leveled counter-accusations.

In Regional Impacts, the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Division has launched several broad operations in recent days to prevent a rise in terrorist activity and reduce growing friction between right-wing activists at farms and outposts and Palestinians. The military expects the summer of 2026 to be especially challenging for troops operating in the area. The region’s daily routines have shifted as well, with World Cup watch parties keeping many residents up at night; a military source said, “Watching the World Cup is currently the most popular pastime across the West Bank. Residents are watching games all night, which requires us to change our activity schedule.” The IDF has identified an uptick in points of friction between right-wing activists and Palestinians, with provocations on both sides. Summer vacations have increased the presence of youths on the ground, and the start of the Three Weeks leading up to the 9th of Av has added to tensions, with forces stepped up in areas of friction to try to avert violence.

In Regional Impacts, Azerbaijan crisis officials familiar with ties say Baku feels Israel crossed a red line, arguing that Israel ignored years of Azerbaijani support during the Gaza war and did not show sensitivity over a deeply charged issue in its conflict with Armenia.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, IDF forces located more than 150 weapons in the Hadatha village in southern Lebanon over the past month, the military announced. Hadatha, within the Security Zone, has been described as a hub for Hezbollah activity. During operations in the village, the 401st Brigade destroyed more than 90 terror infrastructure sites, killed over 20 Hezbollah terrorists, and seized more than 150 weapons, including RPG rockets, anti-tank missiles, machine guns and Kalashnikov rifles. Last week, the IDF conducted four precise strikes against Hezbollah command centers and dismantled an underground terror tunnel located in Majdal Zoun. On Sunday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that a 200-meter terror tunnel had been destroyed; it was reported to lie at a depth of more than 25 meters and to contain hundreds of weapons and several shafts that could be used to launch rockets toward Israel.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, the High Court of Justice proposed a framework under which Yehuda Eliyahu’s appointment as head of the Israel Land Authority would be canceled and the selection process returned to a reconstituted search committee. Justices Yael Willner, Ofer Grosskopf, and Khaled Kabub gave the state, Eliyahu, and the petitioners 48 hours to respond to the proposal. Under the framework, the government’s decision to appoint Eliyahu would be rescinded, the search committee would be reconstituted with two members replaced, Eliyahu and the two leading candidates would be reinterviewed, and the panel could decide whether to consider additional candidates. Any interim appointment would have to be made under the applicable rules, but the court did not decide whether Eliyahu could serve as acting head of the authority during the renewed process. The hearing concerned three petitions against Eliyahu’s appointment, approved in May by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Housing Minister Haim Katz. A central issue cited by critics is Eliyahu’s connection to Smotrich, one of the ministers involved in the appointment. Government representatives did not publicly comment on the matter.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Hamas’ government in the Gaza Strip announced it has resigned and will transfer administrative authority to a national committee tasked with managing the territory, a move described by a Hamas official as a step toward a technocratic government. Mediators reportedly informed Hamas that discussions over disarmament and the group’s financial obligations would be suspended for the time being, and Palestinian sources cited by Lebanese outlets said Hamas would continue to hold key positions during the transition.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Gaza handover or Hamas illusion? Israel labeled the move a spin to buy time. The head of Gaza’s emergency committee resigned ahead of the planned transfer of authority to the national committee, but Israeli officials say Hamas is still running affairs behind the scenes and using the move to create the appearance of progress for mediators.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Meta policy director Benjamin Good rejected claims that 2025 policy changes led to more antisemitic content. He spoke during a Royal Commission hearing on antisemitism and social cohesion. Meta shifted in January 2025 from proactive enforcement to reliance on user reports and reactive enforcement, aiming to reduce over-enforcement and better protect freedom of expression. The company also scaled back automated detection and removal of certain categories of potentially hateful content, reserving proactive enforcement for severe violations such as terrorism and child sexual exploitation. When Jewish advocacy groups argued that antisemitic content had increased on Meta’s platforms, Good said those assessments were not accurate and described the engagements as broadly productive and constructive. He stressed that the policy changes were not designed to alter those engagements.

In Israeli Economy and Business, the sudden collapse of Simad Holdings, a New York-based firm, has left Israeli investors reeling. Simad had raised about 620 million shekels in a bond offering less than six months earlier and then slid into a debt crisis that is shaping up as one of the fastest crashes in Israel’s stock market. The owners, brothers Michael and David Shabsels, built a diversified empire spanning magazines and real estate but left local creditors facing large losses as debts are reported to exceed $1 billion. A feature in Globes traced the rapid downfall and the opaque web of signals that preceded it.

In Uplifting News, Sylvester Stallone, the beloved actor who created Rocky Balboa, marks his 80th birthday on Monday. The performer has long been associated with the films that defined a generation, including the iconic moment when Rocky claimed the Best Picture prize at the 1977 Oscars, a scene remembered for the line “Yo, Adrian!” and the character’s durable appeal that earned him the nickname the Italian Stallion.

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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