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

HEADLINES
Israel-Iran Clash Escalates; US Considers Strikes
China Halts Helium Exports, Threatening Chip Supply
Israel Heads Toward Constitutional Crisis

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

In Direct Israel-Iran Clashes, Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, said any attacks on Iranian infrastructure will be met with retaliation and that Israel will not be spared from the response. His comments came as US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering strikes on Iranian electrical manufacturing facilities, power plants, and desalination plants if tensions escalate. Qatari negotiators are in Iran to meet Iranian officials to de-escalate tensions and create conditions for broader negotiations to continue, in coordination with the United States. The talks aim to address the implementation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and the issues that triggered the recent escalation, including disputes over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

In Regional Impacts, China halts helium exports amid renewed Middle East conflict. Beijing announced a temporary export ban on helium, effective immediately, to prevent domestic shortages as renewed Middle East fighting threatens supplies of the gas used in semiconductor manufacturing. Helium is essential for heat management in semiconductor production. Earlier this year, helium shortages disrupted global supply, including for China’s AI industry’s use of domestic chips. The ban is part of Beijing’s effort to prevent domestic shortages by curbing exports and follows previous restrictions on fuel, fertilizers, and sulphuric acid. China is looking to boost domestic chip manufacturing and reduce dependence on Nvidia semiconductors that fall under US export controls. China remains heavily reliant on overseas helium, and the export ban could squeeze global supply because Chinese companies have increasingly acted as intermediaries, importing Russian helium and re-exporting volumes.

Tanker traffic slows in Strait of Hormuz after US and Iran clashes. Reuters reports daily tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz slowed on Friday after the week’s hostilities and renewed disputes over control of passage through the waterway. The pullback in traffic rekindles concerns about the recovery of global oil supplies and shipping and highlights the fragility of an interim truce while the US and Iran work toward a lasting agreement. Oil prices eased but remained on track for weekly gains of about 4-5%. The International Energy Agency said global oil supply rose by 4.1 million barrels per day in June as shipping through the strait resumed, though it stayed about 9.4 million bpd below pre-war levels, with diesel and gasoline supplies tight and refineries slower to respond to the reopening. The Strait of Hormuz previously handled about a fifth of global oil supplies, and Tehran has largely taken control of the waterway, creating a stalemate in its confrontation with the world’s most powerful military.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, My Word: Courting constitutional disaster - opinion. The question, “Is Israel facing a constitutional crisis?” has echoed across the country’s airwaves this week. The crisis, some say, has roots in the 2021 government’s judicial reform proposals and the mass demonstrations that followed, with many arguing elections must be held by October 27. On the Left, slogans warn of the end of democracy; on the Right, fears that a juristocracy has taken control and the elected government cannot rule. This week’s trigger was the decision regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio, which oversees commercial broadcasting and was handling a bid to buy Channel 13. Resignations in March left the Second Authority without a quorum to authorize the purchase, and the government argues that without the quorum the body cannot legally approve a purchase.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Middle Israel: Why Netanyahu's political formula no longer works - opinion. The piece identifies two groups cited as pillars of Netanyahu’s coalition—Moroccans and Russians—as representatives of two populations that helped carry him to power, and it uses a satirical thread about a United States president’s reaction to a soccer red card to critique political calculation in Israel. The tone suggests that the so-called formula that unified diverse blocs may be fraying under current pressures and changing social dynamics.

In Israeli Domestic Politics, Israel might be headed towards its own January 6 moment - opinion. The column argues that the coalition’s actions since taking office have challenged the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and the attorney-general. It notes that on Sunday the government openly declared it would not respect a High Court ruling related to the Second Authority, and on Wednesday Justice Minister Yariv Levin urged defying another High Court ruling ordering a new vote for State Comptroller after a tainted, secret-ballot process. The piece warns that these moves reflect a broader pattern that could undermine democratic norms and propel Israel toward a crisis of governance.

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-902123
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-902120
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/tanker-traffic-slows-strait-hormuz-after-us-and-iran-clashes
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-901991
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902076
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-902018