Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-08 at 19:02

HEADLINES
US strikes Iran to deter Hormuz threats
Eisenkot tops Netanyahu in poll
EU lowers risk allows more Israel flights

The time is now 7:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Israel did not take credit for any of the strikes on Iran, contrary to Iranian media claims.

In US Military Role, the United States has launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran to degrade its ability to threaten navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a step described by US Central Command as taken at the direction of the Commander in Chief to deter aggression against commercial shipping. The strikes followed Iran’s attacks on ships and Gulf targets, with Iran claiming dozens of strikes and the United States asserting it hit around 80 targets. CENTCOM said the actions would continue and emphasized a self-defense rationale as Washington seeks to seize the initiative amid the broader confrontation. Explosions were reported in southern Iran, air defenses were activated, and reports circulated of damage to a hospital and power lines in Chabahar as strikes targeted various facilities, including maritime traffic control sites and depots. Observers noted a broad campaign across multiple IRGC facilities, with local officials later confirming strikes on Iranshahr Airport/Airbase used by IRGC Aerospace Force. The military escalation coincides with President Trump’s insistence that the Iran ceasefire talks were effectively over, and with analysts warning that any further heavy escalation could raise the risk of broader hostilities. Early imagery described an expanded aerial footprint in the region, including refueling aircraft and an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system in operation.

In Regional Impacts, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to show a clear preference for the Iranian northern traffic separation scheme, according to MarineTraffic data, with only one container ship completing transit via the US-backed southern corridor and a tanker briefly entering that route before reversing course.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, a Channel 13 poll shows Eisenkot’s Yashar edging out Netanyahu’s Likud for the first time, with Eisenkot at 23 seats to Likud’s 22 and Together Party at 15; the survey suggests nearly half of respondents find Eisenkot more suitable for prime minister than Netanyahu, reflecting a shift in voter sentiment in the latest snapshot of Israeli politics, alongside a broader distribution among other parties.

In EU Aviation Safety Agency loosens restrictions on flights to Israel, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency lowered its aviation risk classification for Israel and parts of the Middle East from high to a medium-level Information Note, with the expired Conflict Zone Information Bulletin not being extended. Airlines can decide routes back to Israel based on their own security assessments, a change that opens the door for carriers such as easyJet, Ryanair, and WizzAir to operate more freely, following years of precautionary restrictions linked to regional conflict and prior disruptions to service.

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
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