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

HEADLINES
Kremlin seeks Turkey S-400s fate
Negev four arrested in terror plot
Likud bets on Smotrich slot

The time is now 7:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Regional Impacts, the Kremlin said on Friday it was in touch with Turkey about the fate of Russian S-400 missile systems Ankara owns after a Turkish news outlet reported that Turkey could announce it would resell the missiles to a Gulf country in order to persuade the United States to lift sanctions on Ankara. The United States sanctioned Turkey in 2020 over the S-400 purchase and removed it from a procurement and manufacturing programme for F-35 fighter jets which Ankara wanted to be involved in. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this is a highly sensitive issue, but Moscow has been in contact with the Turkish side and will continue to maintain contact on this issue.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israeli police and the Shin Bet arrested four Negev residents suspected of planning terrorist attacks against police officers and security forces in Segev Shalom and Beersheba. The suspects, members of the same Palestinian family who entered Israel through family reunification, were arrested at an advanced stage of planning and were found with weapons. Investigators said the group primarily intended to target soldiers in public places. The joint investigation by the Israel Police Southern District Central Unit and the Shin Bet uncovered the cell, with all four suspects living in Segev Shalom. They were arrested in May and June 2026, and one suspect had posted social media content allegedly inciting and supporting terrorist activity. The suspects reportedly planned to open fire on the Segev Shalom police station, carry out an attack at Beersheba’s central bus station, and establish terrorist infrastructure.

Also in Israeli Domestic Politics, Israeli security forces seized a weapons cache during a Border Police raid in Yarka, a Druze village in the north. The 22-year-old resident of Kfar Yarka was arrested and detained after the raid uncovered a cache including a Carlo submachine gun, M16 cartridges, Jericho pistol cartridges, Kalashnikov ammunition, the shoulder stock and handle of a long gun, a gas grenade, and substantial rifle and pistol ammunition. The raid was part of a broader effort to clamp down on crime among the Arab-Israeli population, with the seized items taken to the police station for examination. Authorities are expected to seek an extension of the suspect’s detention after a preliminary investigation.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, senior Likud figures are weighing the option of reserving a slot for Bezalel Smotrich on the Likud slate as the Religious Zionist Party faces potential trouble clearing the electoral threshold. Officials have discussed alliances within the right-wing bloc, suggesting a shift away from a merger with Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit due to potential voter backlash. Yesha Council data indicate roughly 20% of West Bank voters backed Likud in the most recent election, underscoring why some see Smotrich’s inclusion as a hedge against religious-Zionist votes slipping away.

Four indicted after southern Israel terror ring broken up, mass-attack plot foiled. Prosecutors say Segev Shalom residents planned attacks on police and Be’er Sheva’s central bus station, and one suspect was arrested by undercover officers shortly before carrying out a planned attack.

In Uplifting News, Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and the United States vary by locality, with examples including Light Candles at 8:10 p.m. and Shabbat Ends at 9:17 p.m., as well as other listings showing candle lighting around 7:58 p.m. to 7:49 p.m. and Shabbat Ends from about 8:54 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. Additional pairings appear for different cities and regions, reflecting local sunset times.

In Uplifting News, Parashat Matot-Masei: Slow and steady. The most important movement is not always what is visible externally, but what takes place within a person. The Book of Numbers describes the 42 journeys of the Children of Israel as they encamped during their desert wanderings, and commentators note that these journeys reflect the spiritual journey of every person from birth until reaching the “higher land of life.” The Baal Shem Tov explained that the Torah emphasizes ongoing motion: even when one encamps, growth must continue. The structure of the journeys underscores the idea that progress is continuous, not a final destination.

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.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/kremlin-says-russia-touch-turkey-fate-russian-s-400-missiles
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-902113
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-902112
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-902109
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rysjuvcqgx
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-902108
https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-901976