Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-07 at 16:04

HEADLINES
US Revokes Iran Oil License, Hormuz Tensions
Iran Attacks Qatari Vessel Al-Rekayyat Near Hormuz
Batsh and Abu Daqa Eliminated, Hamas Targeted

The time is now 4:03 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the United States revoked a general license that authorized the sale of Iranian oil, with a US official warning that Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz are wholly unacceptable and would be met with consequences. A source familiar with the attacks said Iran was responsible for launching at least five drones and missiles at three ships in the strait over the past day, and oil prices rose more than five percent after the announcement. The Treasury gave a wind-down period through July 17 for Iran’s oil transactions that had been allowed under the revoked license, while negotiators continue to work toward a final agreement with Tehran despite the escalation. The strikes on the vessels and the US response threaten a fragile diplomatic relationship between Washington and Tehran, and there was no immediate comment from Tehran.

Analysts say the Hormuz escalation tests Gulf states and US resolve, as renewed maritime pressure raises regional instability. Iran attacked a Qatari vessel Al-Rekayyat while it was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz, drawing a strong reaction from Qatar. NATO will soon meet in Turkey, and Turkey is a close ally of Qatar. Dr. Majed Al-Ansari, an adviser to Qatar’s prime minister and spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, said the targeting of Al-Rekayyat constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation, the security of global energy supplies, and a grave violation of international law, and he urged Iran to cease practices that undermine regional security or threaten energy resources and the routes that support the world economy.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Ahmad Yahya Ibrahim Batsh, a Nukhba cell commander, and Hamouda Abu Daqa, a commander in Hamas’ Military Intelligence Unit, have been eliminated.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, a survey shows trust in Trump’s security priorities has fallen to a record low among Israelis. The Israel Democracy Institute’s Israeli Voice Index found that just 28% of Israelis believe Trump prioritizes Israel’s security, down from 44% in May. The poll of 754 Israelis, including 151 Arabs, also showed that 38% of Jewish Israelis believe Israel’s security situation is better off than before the war with Iran earlier this year, while most Jewish Israelis view the current strain in US-Israel relations as temporary, and Arab Israelis are more divided. On security, 72% said the IDF should maintain a permanent presence in southern Lebanon regardless of friction with the United States. Regarding the recent protests by haredim over the IDF draft, nearly half said the Israel Police are too lenient.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Culture Minister Miki Zohar released a video skewering the film industry as Jerusalem prepares to open the film festival, asserting that cinema reforms have redirected government support away from movies that Israel haters love and toward those Israelis embrace, with a scene showing a director and an assistant in keffiyehs filming harsh depictions while an ATM overflows with money and Zohar interjects Cut, declaring, “The era of defaming IDF soldiers at the taxpayers’ expense has ended. Not on my watch,” ending with a slogan that “Right-wing action wins.” Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef urged party members to back the coalition’s contentious legislation in exchange for progress on haredi-backed bills, warning there is “no room for delay” on the Torah Study Law amid ongoing coalition talks before the Knesset recess. Police prosecutors filed an indictment against Border Police squad commander Eyal Haimov, accusing him of beating a Palestinian detainee at a West Bank checkpoint, leaving him with a broken hand and bleeding, with charges including assault, threats, and unlawful access to computer material. The High Court of Justice was set to weigh a petition by Physicians for Human Rights Israel seeking the release of 14 Gazan doctors held in administrative detention, including Hamas-affiliated Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, while the state prepared its response on the case amid concerns about the doctors’ health and detention conditions.

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-901793
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901783
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56812
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901781
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-901788
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901786
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901785
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901784