Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-08 at 04:02

HEADLINES
Iran nuclear program degraded, 20 scientists killed
Iranian retaliation hits Bushehr bases, no casualties
Trump hints F-35 sale to Turkey

The time is now 4:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Operation Lion's Roar, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Iran “definitely has chemical weapons” and that its capacity to produce nuclear weapons was significantly degraded during what he described as Operation Roaring Lion. He said the strikes destroyed much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, centrifuges, related factories and facilities, and even the loss of 20 of its top nuclear scientists, expressing that this pushed back Tehran’s program considerably. He warned against complacency toward the regime, likening the effort to excising cancer from the body because it could return if not vigilantly managed. Netanyahu also said the United States had been threatened by Iran, which helped explain President Donald Trump’s decision to join the conflict.

In Iranian Retaliation, Tehran disclosed that a member of the IRGC Navy was killed by what it described as enemy drones as Iran reported new strikes in response to a US attack. Iran said Washington violated the interim deal and warned regional states against aiding US strikes, while reports indicated two Bushehr military bases were hit with no casualties reported.

In US Military Role, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte said the recent US strikes on Iran were absolutely necessary to respond to ceasefire violations, stressing that “when you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react.” CENTCOM described the strikes as aimed at imposing heavy costs for Iran’s targeting and attacks on commercial shipping in international waters. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards replied by saying it targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in response. Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s remarks were echoed by other leaders at the Ankara NATO summit, with supporters calling for diplomatic pressure to keep talks alive and for a coordinated approach, while regional officials underscored the complexity of balancing pressure with diplomacy. Separately, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was set to arrive in Israel for brief talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, traveling from Ankara where he has been attending the NATO summit. The overnight strikes against Iran followed Iran’s attacks on three commercial tankers near the Strait of Hormuz; Iran later claimed it had targeted 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, and Kuwait reported sirens sounds as missiles and drones were launched. The actions came as Washington also moved to cancel sanctions relief on Iranian oil sales, underscoring a tense strategic moment in the region.

In Regional Impacts, the coffin of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei arrived in Najaf, Iraq, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and senior officials greeted the cortege at Najaf International Airport ahead of funeral ceremonies and a public procession. The funeral, designed to showcase continuity for the Islamic Republic, drew participation from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior IRGC commanders, and is expected to pass through Karbala before the coffin is returned to Iran. Separately, thousands of mourners marched through Najaf on Wednesday as the six-day funeral procession continued, carrying large portraits of Khamenei and chanting slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” The procession featured Iraqi and Iranian flags along with banners from Iran-backed Iraqi militias, reflecting the significance of Najaf as a holy site for Shi’ite Muslims worldwide. The event is part of a multi-day journey that began in Iran and will proceed to Karbala before returning for burial.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, the IDF said it killed a Hezbollah terrorist during a search of a structure in the Security Zone after a reservist was severely injured last Thursday in an exchange of fire, during which a military dog was shot and killed. Border Police officers in the Jerusalem area detained a suspect wielding a knife and throwing stones at security forces; the suspect was arrested after the confrontation. On Tuesday night, reports of gunfire near Kiryat Arba, near Hebron, prompted an IDF investigation and searches. A bullet was found in a building as authorities assessed the circumstances and potential threats in the area.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, President Trump used remarks at the NATO summit in Ankara to signal a potential sale of F-35 fighters to Turkey, saying that the decision would be made and reflecting a view that Washington’s relations with Turkey are stronger now than with some other partners. Erdogan stated that Ankara had been promised five planes and suggested Trump’s commitments would be kept, highlighting a nuanced stance on Turkey’s role in the region. Israel views Turkey's position with caution, noting that Ankara hosts Hamas and has had a tense diplomatic stance with Israel, complicating the traditional Western alignment.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, American Priorities PAC said it would spend to support Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Democratic US Senate primary, even though El-Sayed has pledged to reject all super PAC funds. The anti-AIPAC PAC said its plan would involve independent spending on ads and get-out-the-vote efforts, strictly without coordinating with El-Sayed’s campaign. El-Sayed has not publicly commented on the plan. The candidate is a physician and former health director, and the development reflects the broader tensions around pro-Israel political advocacy in US politics.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Shin Bet chief David Zini said he agreed to take the role because of the ability to remain loyal to the elected leadership, noting that the leadership sometimes lacks capacity to manage the agencies entrusted to them and that the public has become uncertain about their role. Democrats party leader Yair Golan labeled Zini’s remarks as dangerous, arguing that a security service should be guided by the rule of law rather than political loyalty, especially during the early stages of an election cycle. In a separate entry, Bezalel Smotrich posted content on a Telegram channel, described in the record as a post linking to newssil, reflecting ongoing online activity around political messaging.

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-901824
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https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-901816
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-901813
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/thousands-march-khameneis-funeral-procession-crosses-iraq
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901815
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-901821
https://www.timesofisrael.com/anti-israel-pac-says-it-will-spend-on-abdul-el-sayed-though-he-refuses-super-pac-funds/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-901830
https://t.me/newssil/206135