Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-08 at 21:02

HEADLINES
- US Strikes Iran, Targeting Hormuz Threats
- Kuwait Bahrain Brace as Iran Retaliates
- Israel Denies Involvement in US Strikes

The time is now 9:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Kuwaiti authorities say air defenses are now operating to mitigate Iranian air threats and have urged people to seek shelter. Ballistic missile launches toward Bahrain have been seen from the Bushehr Province in southern Iran. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has announced the sounding of sirens and urged citizens to seek shelter as retaliatory strikes are underway.

In US Military Role, the US Central Command says additional strikes have begun to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in response to recent Iranian attacks on shipping and threats to international routes. Analysts describe the United States as taking the initiative with new strikes. Reports indicate US air activity included bombing two railway bridges in Iran as part of strikes on a Wednesday, near the Golestan Province close to Turkmenistan, while a facility operated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force burns near Choghadak in the Bushehr Province after strikes by US forces. President Trump has characterized the strikes as very hard and has warned they could continue, saying there will be further actions if necessary. Explosions were heard in Golestan Province, with officials noting possible US strikes on rail infrastructure.

In Regional Impacts, Kuwait has sent alerts to cell phones about the heightened threat environment. In neighboring Qatar, the Interior Ministry said the security threat level is high and urged people to stay in homes and safe places.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israeli officials have told multiple outlets that Israel did not participate in tonight’s US strikes against Iran and have warned Iran against targeting Israel during the ongoing retaliatory strikes.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, recordings aired by Israeli television show police repeatedly requesting Prime Minister Netanyahu to testify on the Bild leak affair, only to be rebuffed by his office. Investigators were seeking to determine whether Netanyahu informed senior media adviser Jonatan Urich that former adviser Eli Feldstein had been arrested, and whether a late-night meeting between former chief of staff Tzachi Braverman and Feldstein occurred before the arrest.

In Israeli Economy and Business, Arkia Airlines plans to resume direct flights between Israel and Marrakesh, Morocco, on August 24, with twice-weekly Airbus A320 service following a three-year suspension over regional security concerns.

In Uplifting News, Camp Gan Israel – Young Shluchim in Russia uncovered a rare antique pocket watch and centuries-old Russian ruble coins during an archaeological excavation at the Chabad Rebbes’ Lubavitch courtyard. The artifacts were turned over to Rabbi Gabriel Gordon for restoration, and preliminary examination suggests the pocket watch may have belonged to a member of the Chabad Rebbe family, though researchers will conduct further study to determine origin.

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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