Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-07-10 at 01:02

HEADLINES
US Pauses Iran Strikes, Diplomacy Takes Lead
Israel Stays on Lebanon Border Despite Hezbollah
US Plans Aid-to-Partnership Shift With Israel

The time is now 1:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In US Military Role, Washington pauses strikes on Iran as diplomacy takes the lead, officials say. Washington keeps additional targets in reserve as leverage over Tehran while Trump remains publicly silent, US forces prepare for possible new attacks, and Iran buries slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei after a weeklong funeral procession.

In Regional Impacts, President Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara said he believes Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would stay and remain until Hezbollah is disarmed. The disagreement signals a potentially unsettled future for Israel’s northern border, the fate of Hezbollah, Lebanese sovereignty, and the credibility of the US-Israel alliance. Israel has reason to be skeptical of promises concerning Lebanon, given a long history in which Hezbollah built an arsenal along the border and turned Lebanese soil into a forward base for Iranian forces.

In the Conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, Tehran’s pressure grows as the IMEC economic corridor advances, aiming to provide a stable alternative for global trade and energy and to bypass the Hormuz Strait. Tehran fears Israel’s participation in the plan could significantly strengthen its security and economic position and help form a regional bloc of moderate states coordinating against Iranian proxies. Some voices describe the least bad option as a total blockade of Iran after the midterm elections. Reports mention explosions across Iran; the regime denies involvement, with the United States saying it is not responsible. Israel has issued warnings to Trump about Iran, and officials say a critical decision regarding Israel and Lebanon will come in the days ahead as tensions with Turkey rise and the IDF responds.

In US Policy Concerning Israel, an analysis notes that Israel should shift from being a recipient of aid to a true partner, and the United States should stop treating the relationship as philanthropy. The current memorandum of understanding, totaling 38 billion dollars over 10 years, expires in 2028, and replacement talks have opened with the aim of gradually transitioning to a reciprocal partnership. Prime Minister Netanyahu has written in support of moving from aid to partnership, backing a resolution to phase out the annual 3.8 billion-dollar package. In a separate development, the State Department reportedly intervened to stop a planned meeting between Iran’s UN ambassador and senior officials in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration amid escalating US-Iran tensions, with Archila not informing Mamdani in advance, prompting questions about how the meeting was arranged during this period of heightened confrontation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, polling shows Yashar overtaking Likud for the first time in a Zionist opposition bloc lead, with Yashar at 22 seats to Likud’s 21 and Together at 18; the new party led by Chili Tropper and Yoaz Hendel drew 2.9 percent but did not cross the electoral threshold, pulling votes from Religious Zionist and shrinking Netanyahu’s bloc to 49 seats while Arab parties hold 11. If elections were held today, Yashar would lead with 22 seats, followed by Likud at 21, with other parties remaining largely unchanged. The coverage also notes internal tensions within Likud, with Smotrich warning and Mai Golan reportedly moving toward Ben Gvir, and talk of a minister preparing to defect to Ben Gvir’s faction, signaling possible shifts within the party and questions about Netanyahu’s grip. An opinion piece questions the prospects of a high-profile figure as defense minister, suggesting the expected successor may not be the actual choice.

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.ynetnews.com/article/rj3qeecmzx
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902073
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1342854
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902075
https://worldisraelnews.com/state-department-intervenes-to-stop-mamdani-teams-meeting-with-iranian-envoy-amid-war/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-902098
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1342856
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1342855
https://www.maariv.co.il/breaking-news/article-1342853