Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-09 at 17:01

HEADLINES
No Update Yet on US Iran Strike
Lebanon Rolls Out Pilot Security Zone
Jerusalem Film Festival Opens with Loznitsa Honored

The time is now 5:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, officials say there are no updates on prospects of a return to heavy US strikes on Iran, with decisions to be made by the president and by CENTCOM, according to Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, who said he usually learns of such moves when they occur. He warned Iranians not to be overconfident that they can make this work well for Tehran, and he noted that the Iranian regime has shown itself not to be serious about peace and has not decided to pursue regime change, a decision that would rest with the Iranian people. In Lebanon, the first pilot zone is set to launch in a matter of days, with the Lebanese army taking control of an area now occupied by Israeli forces, and further zones are being mapped out and planned.

In Regional Impacts, Greece says the United States selling F-35s to Erdogan is concerning and is demanding security guarantees from Ankara. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said Greece would not welcome Turkey receiving either the F-35 or engines for its next-generation Kaan stealth fighter jets, noting that the final decision rests with Washington and any transfer within NATO should include restrictions to prevent use against an allied state, given NATO stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is of fundamental importance to US interests. A UN agency report from OCHA records more than 5,330 alleged settler attacks in the West Bank since 2023, with the Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron areas hit hardest; the report also notes 64 West Bank Palestinians were killed and 5,173 injured in that context, though the statistics do not distinguish between different militant or civilian groups. Separately, analysis of Donald Trump’s stance on Turkey suggests a recalibration in Mediterranean diplomacy, as he did not announce an F-35 sale in Ankara but signaled that the United States could move forward given a perceived reset in ties, while Erdogan said Turkey had been promised five aircraft; observers say the dynamic reflects a more nuanced balance in regional alliances and reflects differing views of Ankara’s role in Israel and Iran, with Israel seeing a more complex picture of Turkish alignment.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Liberman tells The Jerusalem Post that Netanyahu is a burden to Trump and has dismantled US-Israel ties, arguing the relationship is hurting Trump in the upcoming US midterm elections; Liberman, a longtime former defense minister and foreign minister who leads Yisrael Beiteinu, outlined a vision for leading the country after the elections, which are due no later than October 27. He said Trump has understood that he had given too much in backing Netanyahu and that this dynamic has harmed him politically, a point Liberman emphasizes as oppositional parties seek to realign Israel’s leadership with Washington.

In Uplifting News, the Jerusalem Film Festival opens its 43rd edition at Sultan’s Pool with 6,000 guests in attendance as Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa is honored as guest of the year and will chair the festival’s jury; Loznitsa’s recognition reflects his standing in contemporary European cinema, and the festival will feature more than 100 films from around the world, along with Israeli premieres and guests from over 30 international talents, running through July 19.

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-902067
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902061
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902066
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902064
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902062
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902069
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-902071