Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-09 at 23:02

HEADLINES
- Iran shoots down 30 US MQ-9 drones
- Damascus bombings ISIS cell dismantled
- Iran plots to kill Trump, Israel warns

The time is now 11:01 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Iranian Retaliation, Iran has shot down approximately 30 US MQ-9 Reaper drones since the start of the war, according to ABC News, citing a US official. The MQ-9 Reaper is a high-altitude unmanned aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance, and precision strike missions.

In Regional Impacts, Those behind the string of recent explosions in Damascus, including the bombings during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit earlier this week, have been arrested, Syria's Interior Ministry confirmed in an X post on Thursday. Israeli public broadcaster KAN News, citing a Syrian security source, reported that the cell belonged to Islamic State. "Through a complex security operation and precise intelligence follow-up," the Interior Ministry said in another post, "the internal security forces succeeded in dismantling the entire terrorist cell responsible for the recent Damascus bombings." Simultaneous raids were conducted all at once, targeting the cell's locations in Damascus and the countryside, including Al-Qatifah, Sayyidah Zaynab, Qudsaya suburb, and 'Ush al-Warawir, it added. Internal Security Forces commander for the rural Damascus province Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati told state television that the operation had concluded and the cell was in custody.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, Israel recently shared intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran was considering a new assassination plot targeting President Trump, according to The Wall Street Journal. Speaking Wednesday at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump referenced ongoing threats against him, saying he is on every list and claiming Iran wants to take out the US leader—me. The report comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Israel warned the United States of the suspected plot, and CNN said Washington had already received ongoing intelligence about possible plots before Israel's warning.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, With the Israeli parliament set to dissolve in the coming days, just four months before national elections, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racing to pass a series of bills, drawing fierce criticism from opposition. Seven pieces of legislation are currently on the agenda of the Knesset, each a priority for one or more parties in Netanyahu's ruling coalition. By striking these political bargains, Netanyahu hopes to shore up his alliances and head into the late October election from a position of strength, despite opinion polls suggesting he might struggle to return to office. The bill that has generated the most controversy concerns exemptions from military service for students engaged in religious studies.

In Uplifting News, The 'angel' in uniform: the Israeli officer giving Venezuelan earthquake survivors hope. Home Front Command officer Avi Cohen is helping earthquake-hit Venezuelans determine whether they can return home, reassuring residents that damaged buildings are safe while warning that similar destruction could occur in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails Israeli aid team for rebuilding relations with Venezuela after 17 years of severed ties, saying the delegation is not only helping the country recover but also rebuilding relations with Caracas. The delegation has been operating in several earthquake-hit areas for about 10 days, assessing and classifying damaged buildings and assisting with reconstruction, as Venezuela’s latest tally reported at least 3,889 killed and nearly 17,000 injured.

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://t.me/JewishNews24/56968
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-902083
https://t.me/JewishNews24/56962
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjbzxctqfl
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/netanyahu-races-keep-promises-allies-ahead-election
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry0ap0pqzx
https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-hails-israeli-aid-team-for-rebuilding-relations-with-venezuela-after-17-years-of-severed-ties/