Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-07 at 01:03

HEADLINES
Iran missiles strike Hormuz ships no casualties
Hamas dissolves Gaza Emergency Committee
Israel opens five offshore gas blocks

The time is now 1:02 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, Iran fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, causing significant damage but no casualties reported. Separately, a tanker near Oman was struck by an unknown projectile and caught fire about eight nautical miles east of Limah. One of the ships was identified as Al Rekayyat, a Qatari gas tanker, and a crew member on a nearby vessel reported an engine room fire with smoke and that all crew were safe and mustered on the starboard side. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned ships to stay on Iranian-designated routes rather than the US-designated route near Oman's coast, saying their missiles and drones are ready to fire at adversaries.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Hamas said the dissolution of Gaza's Emergency Committee was carried out in the national interest to prevent Israel from making excuses, with the committee’s powers transferred to the National Committee for Gaza’s administration. A Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, said the move “puts the ball in the mediators’ court” and urged guarantor states and the United States to press all sides to implement the agreement, adding that Hamas has fulfilled its obligations.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, US President Donald Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he is prepared to allow Turkey to rejoin the F-35 stealth fighter program, as he heads to Ankara for a NATO summit. Officials cited by the New York Times said there could be an exchange of letters between the leaders as part of how to navigate congressional and legal restrictions, though the White House did not comment. Turkey’s 2019 move to buy Russia’s S-400 air defense system led to sanctions and its removal from the F-35 program, with Congress prohibiting any F-35 sales while Ankara retains the S-400s. Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that the United States should not provide Turkey with F-35 jets or advanced fighter engines, warning that such a move could upset the regional balance and threaten Israel’s air superiority, a view he shared during a Fox & Friends appearance ahead of the NATO gathering.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel’s diaspora affairs minister Amichai Chikli compared Turkish President Erdogan to Adolf Hitler and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a post on X, describing him as a “grotesque hybrid” and a “patron of Hamas and ISIS,” alongside an AI image of Erdogan in front of a Nazi flag as tensions with Ankara have persisted amid Gaza-related concerns and broader regional dynamics.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Israel opened five new offshore natural gas exploration blocks spanning 7,100 square kilometers in its exclusive economic zone, Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced. The push aims to boost domestic energy security, attract international investment, and expand exports, building on the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields. Officials say new discoveries could generate hundreds of billions of shekels in future state revenue, help keep electricity prices low, and strengthen strategic ties with regional partners through growing energy exports. The move comes as Israel advances a record NIS 112 billion natural gas deal with Egypt.

In Uplifting News, Jerusalem will become the spiritual heart of the Christian world on October 4 as more than 70 million believers from 175 nations unite in what organizers call the largest global prayer gathering ever held in support of Israel. The 24th Annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, organized by the Eagles’ Wings ministry and Bishop Robert Stearns, will be broadcast live from the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum. More than 500 senior Christian leaders from 50 countries are expected to attend, joined by officials that include the First Ladies of Nigeria and Kenya, the King and Queen of Togo, and senior government figures from across Africa, with Latin American evangelical leaders representing tens of millions more joining in unity with Israel during a challenging period.

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/iran-news/article-901664
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901663
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-901669
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901656
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/trump-expected-tell-turkey-he-ready-restore-access-f-35-jets-nyt-reports
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901665
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-opens-major-offshore-gas-hunt-to-boost-energy-power/
https://worldisraelnews.com/70-million-christians-to-pray-for-israel-in-historic-jerusalem-gathering/