Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-09 at 10:02

HEADLINES
Iran retaliates as US strikes ninety sites
Gaza triple food aid lowers prices
Vets clash with haredi over Torah Study

The time is now 10:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, sirens sounded across the Middle East as Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US assets in the Gulf region, while Kuwait said its armed forces had been engaged with a cruise missile, three ballistic missiles and 10 drones in its airspace and one person was injured by falling shrapnel. Iran’s air force flew fighter jets to secure the skies over the funeral procession of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Mashhad, according to the regime’s Fars news agency. The retaliatory strikes come after the United States struck around 90 sites overnight in Iran, with the aim of degrading Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent mariners in the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM said in a statement. Iranian officials claimed the US attacks killed 14 people and injured 78 across five provinces, according to state media, and Fars noted a strike on a rail bridge used for trade with Russia and China while Mehr reported explosions in Bushehr province near a Russian-built nuclear power plant. Separately, Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan, and Jordan intercepted eight missiles.

In US Military Role, the report notes a Jerusalem Post roundup framed around ongoing tensions with Iran, including a headline asserting that the US reportedly struck Iran as President Trump described the regime as "out of control." The piece is presented as a roundup with credits to the publication’s editors, and does not provide additional detail beyond that framing.

In Regional Impacts, the ceasefire period between Israel and Hamas saw humanitarian flows into Gaza greatly exceed UN benchmarks. CO GAT reports that from October 2025 to June 2026 roughly 1.78 million tons of food entered Gaza, more than three times the World Food Programme’s identified requirements. Food prices in Gaza declined by about 72 percent between September 2025 and May 2026, influenced by the level of incoming supplies and local market conditions. Water, sanitation and hygiene metrics showed water delivery surpassing 70,000 cubic meters per day, well above international needs. The report also states that Gaza received significantly more than the international benchmarks for food, water and medical supplies, and notes that Israel provided Gaza with triple the food it needed during the ceasefire, a point CO GAT uses to counter shortages claims.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, an analysis argues that Israel does not need unconditional US support to feel confident in its own strength. The piece portrays Israel as a dynamic, growing country with a strong economy, new construction visible in city streets, high defense exports, and a rising defense budget, while Rahm Emanuel’s visit to Israel is cited as a sign of sustained engagement despite a complex political backdrop.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, clashes erupted when combat veterans confronted haredi lawmakers during a Knesset House Committee debate on the Basic Law: Torah Study, demanding that the government address veterans’ needs and provide greater support for soldiers suffering from PTSD before advancing the bill. One veteran, Yossi Sardi, left his seat to confront United Torah Judaism leader MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, shouting that legislation should prioritize soldiers rather than progress on the bill. Another veteran told the panel that promises had been made for six years without action. The meeting paused briefly as Einav Danino, mother of Ori Danino who was murdered in Hamas captivity, urged that soldiers be prioritized and their needs addressed.

In Antisemitism and Anti-Jewish Hate, Norwegian police have dropped the case against Bassam Hussein, a professor who called October 7 “the most beautiful thing this century” during an April lecture. The NTNU dean indicated the university was not responsible for the event since it occurred off campus and Hussein spoke as an individual with Gaza background, not on behalf of the university. StoppNRK had filed a complaint, but prosecutors said the reported conduct did not meet necessary criteria for prosecution, and the case was dismissed.

In Uplifting News, a new exhibit at the Yigal Allon Center showcases the Huqoq archaeological site, offering the public its first look at recent finds. The centerpiece is a complete floor mosaic depicting Samson carrying the gates of the Philistine city of Gaza on his shoulders, discovered in the site’s synagogue, alongside a cache of bronze coins never before seen. Huqoq, perched in the Amiad Forest near a spring, peaked during the Roman-Byzantine era, and the Israel Antiquities Authority notes that the range of Huqoq mosaics is unequalled by any other synagogue in Israel.

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-902037
https://t.me/hnaftali/23839
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-902030
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902024
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjzoazaxzl
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-902027
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902039
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902038
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-901977